Connemara Info 

There are now numerous populations of Connemara breeding stock throughout the world including in the Southern Hemisphere"  Donald Kenny incidentally did the first inspections of Connemaras in the country and approved them for entry in the Connemara Stud Book of Ireland.  The South African Connemaras had all originally been imported from Ireland but South Africa did not have the original registration papers.  One can therefore thank Donald Kenny for getting the South African Connemaras back on the International map. 

The Irish Connemara is not accepted on its breeding alone.  When the animal is two years old it is inspected by the inspection committee and should be true to type, not above 14.3 hands, the head and neck well balanced, the bone hard and flat, cannon bones short and movement free and true.  The head should be a well balanced pony head with good width and large, dark, kindly eyes.  The normal colours are grey, dun, bay, black, dark-eyed cream and palomino.  The register is open to all cross-breeds with a minimum of 25 % Connemara blood.  The Thoroughbred and Arab Crosses are particularly successful.

Our Current Connemara Ponies For Sale:

Ashgar Krystal
Ashgar Frederick
Ashgar Kimble
Ashgar Monique
Ashgar Rachel
Ashgar Ria

Ashgar Connemara Stud, Outrides & The Equestrian Centre

Ride in the Maulti mountains near Clarens on quality horses and ponies or learn to ride in idyllic surroundings.  Visit the Connemara's in their mountain home, enjoy our cross-country horse trails and game-viewing on horse-back.

The Connemara Pony

The Connemara pony is indigenous to the Western seaboard of Ireland.  I quote from Donald Kenny, President of the Irish Connemara Society for many years, in his introduction to "Out of the Mist" by Pat Lyne.  "The relatively harsh environment on the Western seaboard together with the selection policy adopted by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society over the years has allowed the breed in Ireland to endure into a modern day general performance pony without losing the traditional characteristics of type, stamina and temperament for which the pony became known in the first instance.

Connemaras compete successfully in all disciplines.  For example Dundrum - the International Irish Show Jumper at 14.3 hands, Little Model - Olympic dressage horse, Eagle Rock and The Done Thing - advanced eventers and Shipton Elana - International showjumper.

What perhaps does arise from the description of the Connemara is the exceptional temperament and versatility.  The early Connemaras worked in the fields all week, hunted on Saturdays and drove the family to church on Sundays.

Having worked with these ponies for many years I never cease to be amazed by them.  They will do anything they are asked providing they are not bullied. They will take a grandmother (me) on a quiet ride and they complete a cross country or jumping course with speed and accuracy.

South African Connemara Society
 
P.O. Box 53, Clarens, 9707
E-Mail:  info@ashgarhorses.co.za

	President	Christine Walwyn	walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za
	Chairman/Show Convenor	Sally Young	sally@uhurucom.co.za
	Vice Chairman	Lee Schmidt	ponygp@hotmail.com
	Secretary/Treasurere	Brenda van Schie	bvanschie@telkomsa.net
	Birth Registrations	Bronwyn Hughes	bronwyn@provantage.co.za
	Show Rules & Dress Code	Eleanor Wear	elerich@mweb.co.za

In South Africa, the numbers of the Connemaras and Connemara crosses are growing steadily and they can be seen competing successfully in all disciplines.  To mention a few, and forgive me those I have left out.  Ashgar Teresa, Ashgar Tasmin. Ashgar Alice, Ashgar Innesfree, Ashgar Coromandel Dark Lady, Ashgar Gallybreaze, Ashgar Tantive, Illusion, Dunrock and Ashgar Dun O' Relly.  My own stallions Ashgar Doogary and Ashgar Donegal compete successfully although they spend most of the year away from the show ring on the stud.

The South African Connemara Society is responsible for registration of the Connemaras and encourages Connemara owners to participate in shows and show what the breed can do.  There are now approximately two hundred Connemaras, both pure-bred and part-breeds in South Africa and in Namibia and Botswana.

Outrides & The Equestrian Centre

Horse Riding on Schaapplaats on quality horses and ponies from Ashgar Connemara Stud.  We can offer you many activities on horseback here, or you can learn more about the beautiful Connemaras in their mountain home.

Game viewing on horseback is as exciting experience - you get close to the black wildebeest who snort and prance around you, and you stalk the zebra, the Blesbok, and the springbok. We follow  the old wagon trail to get here, the horses' hooves clip-clopping over the rocks in the grooves of the wheels.

We can take you to Surrender Hill (a Boer War battle site), Stone age and iron age sites. Another beautiful ride  is along the peaceful Little Caledon, another to the ruins of a Wesley missiom station nestling under huge old oak trees.

Our horses are well-trained and we have something for everybody, from a quiet horse to a highly spirited mount. For those who want to jump we have a cross country course and a jumping arena. Christine is a S.A.N.E.F. instructor who can teach you to enjoy your riding.

You may also bring your own horses, there are stables available.  Riders will be accompanied by a fully qualified guide knowledgable about the environment and history of the area.

RATES

Outrides: R250.00 for ± 2 hours and R200 for Pony Lead Rein Picnic
Lessons - R100.00
Lesson with "Lead Rein" - R100.00

Please Note:
We don't have card facilities. Cash or cheques are accepted.

NB!!  All horses must have a health certificate stamped by a vet to the effect that African Horse Sickness and Equine Influenza innoculations are up to date and that deworming has been done recently.   Horses must be free of all parasites (ticks, mange, lice etc).  I do not take any responsibility for visiting horses.

Connemara Ponies For Sale

ASHGAR KRYSTAL

GREY MARE, 2006, REGISTERED AT CONNEMARA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

		DATE OF BIRTH	15 February 2006
		PEDIGREE	Out of Ashgar Karalee (Connemara) by Ashgar Donegal (Connemara).  Krystal is 100% Connemara
		HEIGHT	139 cm
		DESCRIPTION	Krystal has lovely movement and a good temperament. Very pretty. All disciplines. She is going well under saddle.
		PRICE	Price on Request
		CONTACT DETAILS	Christine Walwyn 058 256 1176 / 083 6303 713 Email: walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za

ASHGAR FREDERICK

GREY GELDING, 2004, REGISTERED AT CONNEMARA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

		DATE OF BIRTH	29 October 2004
		PEDIGREE	Out of Ashgar Filippa (50% Connemara, 50% Warmblood) by Ashgar Kinross (Connemara). Frederick is 75% Connemara and 25% Warmblood
		HEIGHT	147,5 cm
		DESCRIPTION	Frederick has lovely movement He is going well under saddle. All disciplines. Has done a few in-hand shows in Johannesburg.
		PRICE	Price on Request
		CONTACT DETAILS	Christine Walwyn 058 256 1176 / 083 6303 713 Email: walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za

ASHGAR KIMBLE

GREY GELDING, 2007, REGISTERED AT CONNEMARA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

		DATE OF BIRTH	27 January 2007
		PEDIGREE	Out of Ashgar Karoline (50% Connemara, 50% Warmblood) by Ashgar Doogary (Connemara). Kimble is 75% Connemara and 25% Warmblood
		HEIGHT	160 cm
		DESCRIPTION	Kimble has lovely movement He is going well under saddle.  All disciplines.
		PRICE	Price on Request
		CONTACT DETAILS	Christine Walwyn 058 256 1176 / 083 6303 713 Email: walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za

ASHGAR MONIQUE

GREY MARE, 2005, REGISTERED AT CONNEMARA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

		DATE OF BIRTH	29 January 2005
		PEDIGREE	Out of Ashgar Mariette (Arab) by Ashgar Doogary (Connemara). Monique is 50% Connemara and 50% Arab
		HEIGHT	147,5 cm
		DESCRIPTION	Monique has lovely movement. All disciplines and Endurance. She is going well under saddle.
		PRICE	Price on Request
		CONTACT DETAILS	Christine Walwyn 058 256 1176 / 083 6303 713 Email: walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za

ASHGAR RACHEL

BAY MARE, 2006, REGISTERED AT CONNEMARA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

		DATE OF BIRTH	12 December 2004
		PEDIGREE	Out of Ashgar Rose of Tralee (50% Connemara, 25% Warmblood, 25% Thoroughbred) by Ashgar Doogary (Connemara). Rachel is 75% Connemara, 12,5% Warmblood and 12,5% Thoroughbred
		HEIGHT	151,5 cm
		DESCRIPTION	Rachel has lovely movement.She is going well under saddle. All disciplines.
		PRICE	Price on Request
		CONTACT DETAILS	Christine Walwyn 058 256 1176 / 083 6303 713 Email: walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za

ASHGAR RIA

CHESTNUT MARE, 2004, REGISTERED AT CONNEMARA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA

		DATE OF BIRTH	12 December 2004
		PEDIGREE	Out of Ashgar Rose of Tralee (50% Connemara, 25% Warmblood, 25% Thoroughbred) by Ashgar Doogary (Connemara). Ria is 75% Connemara, 12,5% Warmblood and 12,5%    Thoroughbred
		HEIGHT	150 cm
		DESCRIPTION	Ria has lovely movement.She is going well under saddle. All disciplines.
		PRICE	Price on Request
		CONTACT DETAILS	Christine Walwyn 058 256 1176 / 083 6303 713 Email: walwyn@bhm.dorea.co.za