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The Connemara is an old breed native to the
Connaught region of Ireland, and is a descendant of the Celtic pony, which is
one of the early primitive breeds of Europe. Over the years the Connemara has
been exposed to a diverse range of breeds, including the Spanish Jennet as well
as the Arabian and Barb. They have been influenced by Thoroughbred, Hackney, and
most significantly Welsh blood, and have absorbed the best qualities of all
these breeds.
Important stallions such as Golden Glen,
foaled in 1932, Rebel, foaled in 1922, and Cannon Ball, foaled in 1904, were
used. Cannonball of Welsh and Connemara origin became the first stallion to be
entered in the Connemara stud book in 1926. More recent influences have been
Carna Dun, a stallion foaled in 1948 by the Thoroughbred Little Heaven; the
Irish Draft stallion Mayboy; the Arabian Clonkeehan Auratum, and the Welsh
stallion Dynamite. From such a diverse range of breeds it is strange that a
fixed type has been properly maintained, bit the Connemara has proved itself to
be one of the best pony breeds in the world.
They have been formed by their
environment, which is boggy, wild, and very wet. This has instilled in these
ponies a great resistance to the elements and has produced an extremely hardy
pony. The Breeders Society was formed in 1923 and since that time has worked
hard to maintain the commendable characteristics of the breed. They have a
wonderful temperament and are the ideal children's pony. They are very talented
and can compete at the highest levels in show jumping, dressage, eventing, and
competitive driving. These ponies are naturally athletic and agile, but
quiet and calm to ride.
They are highly attractive ponies with a fine
head set on a well-arched neck. They have well-formed shoulders, allowing for a
good length of stride, and a deep, broad chest and powerful hindquarters. They
have compact bodies and are tough and intelligent and exhibit great stamina.
They have well-made legs with good bone and very hard feet. Originally, the
Connemara was characterized by its dun color with a black dorsal stripe and
black points. Nowadays, though, they are quite often gray, and even occasionally
bay or brown. They stand between 13 and 14.2 hh.
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