Connemara pony
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| Connemara Pony | ||
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 Connemara Pony |
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| Distinguishing features: | Large pony, sport horse type, refined features, good bone, hardy, intelligent, good temperament | |
| Country of origin: | Ireland | |
| Breed standards | ||
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The Connemara pony is a pony breed originating in Ireland. They are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition. The breed makes excellent show ponies.
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[edit] History
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The Connemara region in County Galway in western Ireland, where the breed first became recognized as a distinct type, is a very harsh landscape, thus giving rise to a pony breed of hardy, strong individuals. Some believe that the Connemara developed from Scandinavian ponies that the Vikings first brought to Ireland. Another source was likely the Irish Hobby, a now-extinct breed established prior to the 13th century. Legend, however, says that galleons from the Spanish Armada ran aground in 1588, and the Andalusians on board were set loose. The Spanish horses bred with the native stock, refining the local ponies.
For additional strength and stamina, Arabian blood was added in the 1700s. They were also crossed with Hackneys and Thoroughbreds. Too much crossbreeding began to dilute the pony bloodlines, so the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, founded in 1923, and worked to preserve the type. The stud book was established in 1926.
Today, Connemaras are bred in Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as on the European Continent, the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
[edit] Characteristics
Connemaras are strong and sturdy with a short back and sloped, muscular croup. The hindquarters are powerful. The shoulder is sloped and long. Their legs have short, strong cannons and hard feet and a good stride length. The breed has a fine head with small ears and usually a slightly dished profile set on a well-arched neck. The Connemara is considered hardy and agile, with good jumping ability. The Connemara has a lively but eager and trainable temperament, tends to be long-lived and is described as intelligent.[1]
Connemaras in North America range from 13 to over 15 hands. Recognized colors are gray, bay, brown (genetically, a darker variant of bay), and dun, with some roans, an occasional black, chestnut, or palomino. Pinto patterns, called piebald and skewbald by the Connemara registry, are not acceptable for registration.[2]
[edit] Uses
The Connemara is best known today as a sports pony. Ridden by both children and adults, it is considered to be a very versatile pony breed, competitive in show jumping, dressage and eventing, but also with the stamina for endurance riding. They are also shown in harness.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- American Connemara Pony Society
- Profile
- British Connemara Pony Society
- International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies
- Connemara Pony Breeders Society
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