Connemara Horse Breed

Connemara
A wonderfully good looking all round riding and driving pony who can be suitable for children and adults alike. It has a kind temperament and excellent free moving paces and surefootedness make it a popular choice.

Originates
The breed originates in Connemara to the West of Ireland.

Height
Connemara's must not exceed 14.2 HH.

Colour
Connemara's are predominantly grey but can also be dun, black, brown or chestnut.

Conformation

The head is fairly small with an broad forehead and intelligent expression, the face itself has a slightly dished profile and the eye is large and kind.
The neck is long with a gentle crest along the top line.
The girth is deep.
The chest has ample width to it.
The hindquarters are well rounded and powerful.
The limbs are slender and strong.
The tail is well set on .
Both the mane and tail are thick.

History
The Connemara pony comes from the Connemara region in the county Galway in the West of Ireland. This area is a harsh Landscape of heath, valleys, bogs, mountains and moor - land all of which have led the Connemara to develop surefootedness and great hardiness in order to survive.

Native ponies from Ireland were influenced with Thoroughbred, Hackney and Arab blood, giving them their excellent smooth paces combined with speed and stamina.

Uses
Connemara ponies are excellent all round riding, competition and driving ponies, they are known for being excellent, bold jumpers and have good free moving paces in the dressage field.

Famous Horses
There have been many Connemara ponies who have excelled in many different types of competition.

A Connemara horse called The Nugget, amazingly jumped the Puissance wall at well over 7'2".
Another Connemara called Stroller cleared the wall at a very respectable 6'10".
A Connemara called Marcus Aurelius won a US team gold in 1976 for the sport of three day eventing.

The British Connemara Pony Society
The society strives to promote and preserve this beautiful horse as well as offering information on breeders, stallions, events and shows.