Connemara Pony Tales

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In this episode we chat to top show riders Ciara Mullen, Harrison Taylor and Sadhbh O'Connor about what's going on in their yards, ponies to watch and some of their favourite shows. All riders have competed and won at the top level including HOYS, Royal International and Dublin Horse Show.

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In this episode we speak to the incredibly knowledgeable William Micklem.
William is a keynote speaker, author (best selling manual "The Complete Horse Riding Manual), coach, inventor of the Micklem bridle, columnist and breeder (Mandiba, HIgh Kingdom and Jackaroo). In 2014, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Eventing Ireland and in 2018 a lifetime achievement award for welfare and performance by the Saddle Research Trust.

 "William is a consummate horseman." Capt Mark Phillips

William takes us through his history of Connemara ponies and highlights some of the best performing horses and ponies in the world, all either pure or half Connemara.

A fascinating listen for anyone interested in breeding and how there is such a big opportunity to continue and grow Connemara pony lines into performance horse breeding at the highest level.

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In this episode we sit down with Tom MacLochlainn, former President of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. Tom gives us an insight on the history of the pony, influential stallions and how custodians used to operate before private stallion owners came about. 

Tom also answers some questions from social media on HWSD, Coral Prince and the changing height of the Connemara pony.

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This episode we chat about buying and selling Connemara ponies with Padraic Heanue and Joanne Hannigan. Padraic Heanue is the Manager of the Connemara Pony Sales in Connemara and breeder of Lough Fadda ponies. Joanne Hannigan produces Connemara ponies for sales and export.

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In this episode, we cover Hoof Wall Separation Disease, also better known as HWSD. This is a condition that has been identified in Connemara ponies. HWSD is an autosomal recessive disorder that  causes the hoof wall to easily break and crack.

Joining us on this podcast are the following guests:

1. Sheila Ramsay is from New Zealand and has performed research in Animal Science, Parasitology and Genetics. Her current project is 'Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) in Connemara Ponies.'

2. Melissa Cox is based in Germany and specialises in animal genetics, having earned her doctorate in Genetics through the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University, and has concentrated on comparative genomics with an interest in domestic animals throughout her career.

3. Marian Pritchard is from the UK and is a Connemara enthusiast who bought a Connemara pony from Ireland that she later found out was HWSD/HWSD.

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Our first episode we have with us renowned Galway girl Grace Maxwell Murphy hosting a session with top UK riders and producers Vanessa Compton, Sam Roberts and Amy Smith. The girls chat about some of their favourite ponies and what they are up to whilst in lockdown.

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