Connemara Pony Tales

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For the very first time, Connemara Pony Tales went LIVE, recorded in front of a full house at the Station House Theatre during Connemara Pony Show week in Clifden.

Co-hosted by Lucinda Kelly and breeder Joe Burke, the night brought the conversations from the show ring onto the stage with some of the biggest names from an extraordinary week:

On the panel

• Judges: Sean Dunne and Vanessa Compton
• Ridden champions: Grace Murphy (champion) and Chloe Lacey (reserve champion)
• International guests: Tuula Pyöriä (Finland), Linda Haines (USA Connemara Council) and Kerrie Wainwright

The grand finale
This year’s Supreme Champion winners, Brian and Cathal Mullen, arrived with the Cup in tow. They shared the story behind the dam line of Supreme Champion Gurteen Jennifer.

Expect stories, opinions, laughs, ponies and more than a little Clifden magic.

With thanks to the Connemara Pony Show Committee, Clifden, and the Irish Horse Board for collaborating with us on this first Connemara Pony Tales Live, and to everyone who came along and filled the room.

 This recording is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support Scheme. Our thanks to the Department for their continued support. 

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With the 2026 Dublin Horse Show just days away, we hear from the riders, owners and breeders preparing to take part in the Connemara pony classes.

Through voice notes sent directly from yards, stables and jeeps across Ireland and beyond, our contributors introduce their qualified ponies, share the best Dublin advice they have received, reveal what nearly stopped them from getting there and imagine what their pony might say if interviewed on the morning of the class.

We are also joined by Tweetie Nimmo, Kirsty Aird and Madeline Beckmann, all of whom have previously judged the Connemara classes at Dublin. They share their memories, experience and insights into what makes competing at the Dublin Horse Show such a special occasion.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this episode, and the very best of luck to every breeder, owner, rider and pony heading to Dublin.

Part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support Scheme.

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The Connemara Pony Breeders' Society has just come through the most turbulent chapter in its recent history — six council resignations in February, a rescheduled AGM, and a community at times at war with itself online. In this episode, the people now at the helm sit down to answer your questions, on the record.

Host Lucinda Kelly is joined by Kevin Bolger, the new President of the CPBS; Ann Marie Conroy, Company Secretary and Joint PRO, who served as President herself in 2020 and 2021; and Kathleen Conroy, Joint PRO and Chair of Marketing and Education.

Shaped by questions from listeners across the Connemara community, the conversation looks honestly at the state of the Society, how the new council intends to steady the ship, and where things go from here. Members will make their own minds up — but they can't do that without hearing directly from the people now leading the Society.

Hosted by Lucinda Kelly. Post-production by Pam Clingan.

This recording is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support Scheme.

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Support the show

https://www.facebook.com/ConnemaraPonyWorld

Send us Fan Mail

Is the Connemara pony the best-kept secret in international dressage? Join us on Connemara Pony Tales as we sit down with three elite horsewomen to explore whether the breed is truly a modern dressage powerhouse or destined to remain the "underdog."

We look into the technical realities of training and breeding for the FEI arena, the impact of strategic "blood" percentages on movement, and whether scientific advancements like genomic testing risk sacrificing the breed’s legendary heart for the sake of a leaderboard score.

Meet our guests:

• Ronja Kardos: A prominent performance rider and the key voice behind the success of the FEI-level star, Nice One.
• Anna Gotske: A specialist from the Nordic performance circuit, where she brings a family legacy of breeding Connemaras specifically for the dressage arena.
• Margaret Kitts: The founder of ISE Equine Endeavors and a leading advocate for using Western Dressage principles to build a more responsive, balanced partnership.

Tune in as we discuss what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the sport while preserving the magic of the Connemara pony.

Produced by Connemara Pony Tales with part funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support (ETS) Scheme 2025.

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We’ve all heard the legend: 1588, the Spanish Armada wrecked off the coast of Galway, and Andalusian horses swimming ashore to forge the Connemara pony we know today. It’s a beautiful story—but is it fact, or is it just the world's most successful marketing myth?

In this episode of Connemara Pony Tales, we go "Into the Lab" with one of the world’s leading equine geneticists, Dr. Samantha Brooks from the University of Florida.

We move beyond the folklore to analyse the actual genomic map of the Connemara. We’re putting the breed’s biggest mysteries under the microscope, tackling 500 years of history and the future of the breed in one sitting.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Ancestry Audit: Does the DNA actually show Spanish influence, or is the Connemara a "time capsule" of an even older, indigenous Irish pony?
• The Pony Paradox: Why does a 14.2hh mare produce a 15.1hh foal? Dr. Brooks breaks down the "growth switches" that are changing the size of our breed.
• The "Easy Keeper" Trap: Is the legendary hardiness that allowed our ponies to survive on the bogs now making them prone to modern metabolic crises?
• The Future of the Breed: Beyond HWSD—what is the next frontier of testing, and how do we protect the Connemara’s famous temperament in a world demanding "Sport Horse" performance?

Whether you are a traditionalist breeder or a modern performance enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen. The legends are beautiful, but the DNA tells the real story.

This episode was made possible with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

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In this thought-provoking episode of Connemara Pony Tales, host Lucinda Kelly tackles one of the most polarising debates in the native pony world today. As the Connemara pony gains unprecedented global popularity, is its rugged, versatile heritage being sacrificed at the altar of "show ring" aesthetics?

We are joined by an esteemed panel of experts to dissect the shift toward the "designer" show pony:

Vanessa Compton: Renowned UK producer and rider who made history with her Olympia Supreme Champion, Castle Comet. Vanessa brings an expert eye on what it takes to win at the highest level of showing.

Joe Burke: Experienced breeder and producer with a deep understanding of the breed's functional history and performance capabilities.

Bridget Lee: From the famed Clover Hill Connemaras, sharing her multi-generational perspective on breeding for substance, type, and the traditional Connemara spirit.

Together, we explore whether the modern demand for refined looks is diluting the hardiness and "bone" that made the Connemara a world-class athlete. Are we breeding away the very soul of the pony to win a red rosette?

Whether you are a breeder, judge, or enthusiast, this is a deep dive into the future of Ireland's native pony.

Host: Lucinda Kelly Production: Lucinda Kelly Post-Production & Editing: Pam Clingan

This series is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support (ETS) Scheme.

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In the final episode of this Connemara Pony Tales season, host Lucinda Kelly sits down with one of the most talked-about duos in the UK pony world — Harlow White and her mum Chelsea White.

At just 14, Harlow has taken the showing circuit by storm with her Connemara pony King Bunowen Castle Ali (“Panda”), claiming major wins including Mountain & Moorland Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year at HOYS, the BSPS Heritage M&M Junior Championship at the Royal International Horse Show, and now a qualification for the London International Horse Show.

With over 800,000 YouTube subscribers and 400,000 TikTok followers, Harlow has built an incredible online community — but behind the screen is a hardworking family, hours in the yard, and a mother-daughter team that keeps everything on track.

In this warm and honest chat, Lucinda talks with the Whites about:
 🐴 Their journey into Connemaras — and what makes the breed so special
 🎥 The social media whirlwind: going viral, staying grounded, and inspiring the next generation
 👩‍👧 The highs and chaos of working so closely together
 🏆 Preparing for London and life after an unforgettable season
 💌 Plus — our Fan Mail Quickfire Round featuring listener questions 

A heartfelt thank-you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for supporting this series through the Equine Technical Support (ETS) Grant, and to Pam Clingan for her fantastic work on production throughout the season.

💚 Connemara Pony Tales 

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What does the future hold for the Connemara pony market in 2025? In this episode, we sit down with two very respected voices in the industry: Padraic Heanue, renowned breeder, judge, and lifelong advocate of the Connemara pony, and Emma Bevan, equestrian professional with extensive experience in pony sales and sport.

Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of Connemara pony breeding, buying, and selling — from rising international demand and shifting buyer expectations to the challenges facing small breeders and the impact of sport performance trends.

Whether you’re a breeder, buyer, seller, or simply a Connemara enthusiast, this conversation offers real-world insights and opportunities you won’t want to miss.

A big thank you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, whose ETS Grant continues to support the development of the Connemara Pony Tales series.

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Episode Description:
Join us at the 2025 Connemara Pony World Search for a Star Novice Championships for a special vox pop edition of Connemara Pony Tales. 

In this episode, we bring you the atmosphere of the show with on-the-ground conversations from riders, judges, and supporters, sharing their experiences, highlights, and reflections on this exciting championship. From the competition atmosphere (and lots of rain!) to the enjoyment of showcasing Connemara ponies at the great venue of Barnadown, it’s a snapshot of the community that makes this event so special.

🎶 Music Credit: Lark in the Morning, The Atholl Highlanders by Sláinte | Free Music Archive

Promoted by Chosic
| Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

🙏 This episode is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support scheme.

🎚️ Post Production: Pam Clingan
 🎛️ Production: Joe Burke

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