Ireland's native pony is named after its home region in County Galway in the west of Ireland. This rugged mountainous region, known as Connemara, is a remote area of wild rocky landscapes and innumerable lakes, exposed to the harsh weather and stormy winds off the Atlantic Ocean.

Hardy ponies traditionally lived frugally in bogs of heather and sparse grasses, feeding on rough plants and seaweed, rich in minerals and iodine. For hundreds of years the Connemara pony was an integral part of life in the west of Ireland. Most Irish farming families owned one good Connemara pony, usually a mare. Farming required hauling granite rocks out of the inhospitable soil, then ploughing the small fields, carrying kelp from the sea to use as fertiliser, taking the farmer cross country to market, and driving the family to church on Sunday. A mare could also be expected to produce one good foal a year to be sold for the much needed extra income. Not only were these ponies of economic value in this rural region but a quality pony engendered respect and status to his owner; a social culture that is still appreciated in Connemara today.

The origins of the Connemara pony are unclear but it’s said that they have been influenced by the Iberian horses stranded with wreckage of the Spanish Armada in 1588, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England. In the last century outcrosses with Thoroughbred and Arabian stallions where introduced. Hence these ponies exhibit a type of beauty and athleticism not seen in other mountain ponies. They are the largest of the pony breeds, ranging in height from 13 to 15 hands, with 14 to 14.2 hands as the average. Full maturity is reached at five to seven years of age, sometimes older, and they can live well into their 30's.
 
The Connemara Pony Breeders' Society was founded in Ireland in 1923 with the object of conserving and developing these native ponies.  A  Connemara Pony Show was established in the West of Ireland in the town of Clifden, Co. Galway enabling breeders to compete against one another as well as display their stock to the world. This show, run over 7 days, remains an important event: locally, nationally and internationally.  Like the Irish people themselves, the Connemara pony has been exported to over 16 countries around the world including European countries, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and South Africa. By forming the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies, these countries have joined together to develop, promote and preserve the Connemara pony as a distinctive breed internationally.
 
Adapting to extremes and diversity of climate, they continue to increase in global popularity as riders discover their versatility and capabilities. This is showcased in Northern America and Canada through the hugely popular ‘Battle of the Breeds’; a multidisciplinary team competition promoted at the Spruce Meadow masters Tournament. To learn more click here.