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THE
CONNEMARA PONY
Connemara,
situated on the west coast of Ireland, is the region which
gave its name to the Connemara pony. This is a region very
wild and mountainous where the lakes play with the Atlantic
Ocean. It is a puuzle of poor pastures separated by stone
walls, happily jumped by these ponies living most of the time
free. The origins of the breed is obscure, the existence of
these horses in this region goes back to the IV century BC.
Horses coming from the Iberic Peninsula have greatly influenced
the breed as well as the recent use of Thoroughbred, Irishdraught,
Clydesdale and Arab. It is in 1923, that the Connemara Pony
Breeders’ Society was founded in Ireland, the first studbook
edited in 1926. The popularity of the Connemara is widespread
around the world. France and Ireland have the most important
herd. In France, Connemara pony is present in all regions
and the genetic patrimony is one of the best in the world.
The Association Française du Poney Connemara, created in 1969,
put in place rules approved by the Ministery of Agriculture
(National Stud Services). In 1970, the french Connemara Pony
Studbook was recognised and approved by the mother country
of the breed : Ireland and in 1997, the society was fully
approved by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society of Ireland.
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STANDARD
OF THE CONNEMARA PONY
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| Height
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The
minimum height at registration is 128 cms and the maximum
height at registration of 148 cms. The height is normally
128 cms to 148 cms at maturity. |
| Colours
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Grey, black, bay, brown, dun with occasional roan,
chestnut and palomino. |
| Type
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Compact,
well balanced, riding type, with good depth and substance
and good heart room, standing on short legs, covering
a lot of ground. |
| Head
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Well balanced pony head of medium length with
good width between large kindly eyes. Pony ears, well
defined cheek bones, jaw relatively deep but not coarse. |
| Front
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Head well set onto neck. Chest should not be over
developed. Neck not set on too low. Good length of rein.
Well defined withers, good sloping shoulders. |
| Body
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Body should be deep, with strong back, some length
permissible but should be well ribbed up with strong loins.
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| Limbs
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Good
length and strength in forearm, well defined knees and
short cannons, with flat bone measuring 18 cms to 21 cms. |
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Hind
quarters :
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Strong
and muscular with some length, well developped second
thighs (gaskin) and strong low-set hocks. |
| Movement
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Movement free, easy and true, without undue knee
action, but active and covering the ground. |
| Characteristics
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Good
temperament, hardiness, enduring, intelligence,
soundness, surefootedness, jumping ability, suitable
for child or an adult.
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UTILISATION
:
The
Connemara pony is very versatile which is illustrated in its
many disciplines : endurance, attelage, and leisure. But the
Connemara pony particularly excels in competition : jumping,
eventing and dressage. In France the pony is considered as
the number 1 in all sports. Ridden by children and adults,
he is a real family little horse.
POPULATION :
531
registered foals in 2001, which represents 10% of the total
numbers of ponies born in France. 923 mares mated in 2001
of which 772 in pure breeding, ie 84 %. 172 stallions in activity.
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