Connemara Pony

Connemara Pony is a pony breed native to the Connemara region of County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, developed from hardy native Irish pony stock adapted to the region's rocky, boggy terrain, with later infusions of Arabian, Thoroughbred, Spanish and Welsh Pony blood. It is the only pony breed native to Ireland, valued for a calm, intelligent temperament, natural athleticism and surefootedness across rough ground, qualities that have made it popular for show jumping, eventing and general riding well beyond its home region. The Connemara Pony Breeders' Society, founded in 1923, maintains the breed's studbook and standard, and Connemara ponies are commonly gray in color though other colors also occur. The breed remains closely associated with its native region, where an annual pony show at Clifden has been held since the early twentieth century.