|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ride in the Maulti
mountains near Clarens on quality horses and ponies or learn to ride in idyllic
surroundings. 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, 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.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
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. 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: R100.00 for ± 1 hours and R150 for +- 2 hours 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.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Visit the Connemara's in their mountain home,
enjoy our cross-country horse trails and game-viewing on horse-back.
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.
hunted on Saturdays and drove the family to church on Sundays.
The South African Connemara Society is responsible for registration of the
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.
Another beautiful ride is along the peaceful Little Caledon, another
to the ruins of a Wesley missiom station nestling under huge old oak trees. 
