The centenary of the Connemara Pony Show will be celebrated in Clifden this summer – after agreement was reached to keep the popular event in the capital of Connemara for three more years at least.

Wet weather was blamed when several events were postponed last August and switched to a later date and venue in Athenry, but the 100th Connemara Pony Show will take place in the showgrounds in Clifden again this year.

It comes after negotiations between the Connemara Pony Breeders Society and stakeholders in Clifden reached a compromise on how to plot a way forward for the show, which attracts thousands to the town every year.

Up to now, the Connemara Pony Breeders Society was responsible for staging the annual event through a sub-committee but that will now be taken over by a new, independent entity known as ‘Connemara Pony Show – Clifden’.

Chaired by Mary Coyne, it has a board of trustees whose membership includes representatives from Connemara Chamber of Commerce, as well as equine, political and community representatives.

The Trustees, together with a wider team, will assume full management and running of the show, according to a joint statement issued by the Society and new entity.

It was agreed the Connemara Pony Show and related events will be run and supported for an initial period of three years, starting in 2025. It will remain in Clifden for that period at least.

The new agreement was ratified by members of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society at an AGM last week.

Daragh Ó Tuairisg, President of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society, said the new approach would safeguard the event’s future.

“The show, by adopting a more localised approach to its management, emphasises the importance of collaboration between both Cumann Lucht Capaillíní Chonamara and the greater Connemara community.

“This partnership is pivotal in delivering a successful show in its centenary year. The CPBS acknowledges the Connemara Pony Show at Clifden as Ireland’s premier Connemara Pony event. We are confident that this new agreement will not only honour the legacy of this iconic event but also ensure its continuation as a cornerstone of not only Connemara but also Irish equine culture for many years to come,” Mr Ó Tuairisg said.

Mary Coyne, chairperson of the new entity that will manage the show, agreed.

“Tá Coiste Taispeántas na Capallíní- Clochán 2025 ag súil le taispeántas den chéad scoth a reáchtáil i mí Lúnasa agus muid ag ceiliúradh 100 bliain den seó capaillíní sa Chlochán. Following successful discussions with the CPBS, our dedicated regional committee now look forward to delivering the famed Connemara Pony Show at Clifden for the benefit of the Connemara Pony community and wider region,” she said.