A record-breaking number of ponies have been entered into the 99th Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society show, which earlier this year was under threat due to the lack of volunteers who could run it in Clifden.

The society announced in May that they did not have the manpower to issue passports for the Connemara ponies – vital for breeders to sell the animals – as well as organise the show. The event is regarded as crucial in the industry to bringing in buyers from around the world for Ireland’s only native pony breed as well as a key tourist event for the town.

The sand arena in the Clifden showgrounds which contains ordinary beach sand was deemed unsuitable by insurers for ponies and riders. After an assessment by experts a replacement arena was costed at €40,000.

The national society appealed for volunteers to form a separate committee to take over the Clifden show, which last year posted a loss of €40,000, explains the new show chairperson, Cáit Hennessy.

While the sand arena has been ruled out of bounds, the new committee – which includes Bernie Brennan, former president of the RDS, and Galway breeder Olga Scully – has managed to secure enough sponsorship and upfront entry fees to ensure the event goes ahead in 2024 on the two grass rings.

Caption: Good judges…all set for the annual Connemara Pony Show in Clifden. Photo: Andrew Downes, XPOSURE

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