Building a Wealth of Knowledge (Pdf) 2021
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Teagasc: Equine discussion groups Building a wealth of knowledge HE Department of Agriculture, also a social aspect where individuals fi nd support, Food and the Marine (DAFM)-funded encouragement and new friendships. Opportunity Knowledge Transfer Equine (KTE) exists to see and experience other farms, including Teagasc equine Discussion Group Scheme saw those of group members, while validating the infor- specialist Wendy approximately 300 breeders across the mation provided with the facilitator and each other. country engaged in discussion groups Following the cessation of the DAFM-funded Conlon explores the from 2016-2019. I started an Athenry- scheme, group members could continue meetings value to breeders of the based Teagasc discussion group with 18 members, as Teagasc clients, without receiving payment for Tfrom across Galway, Clare and one dedicated attendance. The majority of the group opted to con- successful Knowledge Tipperary man, which endured for the duration of tinue and though Covid restrictions have enforced the scheme. alternative approaches over the last 12 months, the Transfer Equine Discussion groups are basically groups of farm- interactive spirit and interest to sustain the group ers, in this case equine breeders, that meet regularly. has continued. discussion groups Discussions can revolve around technical issues, Three group members, their own enterprises, and with an emphasis on sharing information. There is experiences within the group are outlined below. Deirdre Geoghegan, Canrower Connemara Ponies EIRDRE, and Earl of Newbridge, and a based near few youngsters from three to fi ve Oughterard, years. She is looking forward to Co Galway, meeting the 2021 foal by Cashel- grew up bay Prince (I Love You Melody surrounded x Callowfeenish Mairtin) out of by Connemara Carn Lady Ash (Robe Earl x West- ponies. Her grandfather, Mark side Mirah) (2000). Carn Lady Ash DGeoghegan, was one of the is the dam of dressage pony Carn fi rst stallion custodians for the Verdon Boy (Ferdia x Robe Earl), Connemara Pony Breeders’ so an athletic performance pony Society in the 1920s. Her father, is hoped for. Paddy, established Canrower Carn Verdon Boy competes Connemara Ponies in the early with Alana Cazabon at Prix St 1950s. George and Inter 1 level, the fi rst During the summer season, the Connemara Pony to do so in Ire- family also managed Oughterard land. Taking him to Grand Prix Pony Trekking Centre, catering is the goal. Though Deirdre didn’t to tourists in the Oughterard and breed him, she was insightful Connemara area. Deirdre con- enough to spot his potential as a tinues the tourism connection youngster and purchase his dam. providing self-catering cottage ac- Deirdre describes Carn Lady commodation. She says that hav- Ash as “a traditional type mare, ing ponies on the farm and graz- breeding height into progeny ing in adjacent fi elds has proved a despite standing 138cms, with massive attraction to guests. balanced movement, intelligence, The farm is approximately 16 and a kind nature.” Her 2018 prog- hectares with a mixture of low eny by Dexter Leam Pondi is look- and mountain land and sustains ing very promising. only Connemara ponies now. The Commenting on the KTE, Deir- farm participates in the agri-envi- dre says she immediately wanted ronmental scheme GLAS and the to be part of the discussion group Pearl Mussel project. after seeing it advertised, think- ing, “it would be a great oppor- Breeding experience tunity to broaden knowledge, a Deirdre’s fi rst experience as a chance to meet like-minded hors- breeder was alongside her father ey enthusiasts and visit yards” with Canrower Rebecca (Bridge that she otherwise wouldn’t see. Dressage rider Alana Cazabon competes Carn Verdon Boy at Prix St George and Inter 1 Level, the fi rst Boy x Carna Dun), a fi nalist in Deirdre found the group to Connemara Pony to do so in Ireland \ Sagittarian Photography the All Ireland Ridden Conne- be “a valuable forum to share mara Pony Championships class information, learn from the dis- at home, to improve effi ciency and utilising social media market- moved online but this hasn’t a number of times with Deirdre. cussions at other breeding and make life easier during the winter ing to sell a 2020 foal. “I only used dampened the enthusiasm of the Deirdre chose the stallion for her production yards, vet clinics etc. months.’” Facebook to advertise and he was monthly catch-ups. Deirdre enjoys last mating, Village Boy, resulting Learning about tools such as lin- Deirdre admits to not realising sold within a few days to a top “the variety of topics including in Canrower Andy who repre- ear profi ling has helped (her) be how much money she was actu- performance yard; the talks on nutrition, parasite control, mar- sented Sweden numerous times in more critical of the ponies and ally spending to produce ponies to marketing and choice of visual keting, accounting and more”. World Mounted Games. The seed try to choose stallions that will sale time and by evaluating costs, images were a huge help,” she She summed up the positive expe- was sown. compliment. Visiting other yards it focused her to adapt a new sys- commented. rience by saying, “you can never Deirdre has three broodmares, has given ideas and motivation to tem. Since the Covid outbreak, the have enough knowledge or sup- by stallions Robe Earl, Ferdia, make improvements to facilities Another new step for her was discussion group meetings have port”. 16 Sport Horse Stallions 2021 The Irish Field Sport Horse Stallions 2021 Gina Heaps, Carrowgar Stud INA lives near Quin in a 2002 fi lly Coolcorran words. To witness him Jeanie Bell xx (Moscow Society pony interests and breeding Co Clare, farming just Roseau, by Coolcorran lead the Parade of x Duky) and Carrowgar Nerrada endeavours, there’s a common over 16 hectares. Her Cool Diamond. Champions is a sight I (Nerrado x Flagmount King), desire to learn. I’ve really enjoyed Griding days began at Gina competed will never forget.” a daughter of Equine Connect attending the many interest- four years old in the UK when her both Equine Con- He is now in the UK Monchie. ing meetings hosted on farms sister brought her to shows on a nect Belle and Equine and will be aimed at Gina says: “I love my TIH around the West of Ireland.” friend’s pony where they would Connect Monchie as ridden hunter classes. mares and their qualities, and the Gina, encouraged by group try to win the lead rein classes. an amateur rider in show Gina has two full siblings subsequent cross with the warm- discussions, has “increased (her) On moving to Ireland, Gina jumping, cross-country and of Carrowgar Herald in Car- blood stallion. My foundation presence on social media, really started hunting on her fi rst pony at dressage. rowgar Heraldo, 2017, beginning mares are old now and I must enjoyed learning more about eight years old and never looked his eventing career and Carrow- look to the future and make some linear profi ling, and changed both back. Proudest moment gar Henry, 2019, who hopefully decisions, but I will always have a fertiliser products and application Gina started breeding in the What began as a chance will make his RDS debut in 2022. TIH mare breeding on the farm.” rates, focusing fi rstly on realign- early 1990s in Co Waterford investment in a thoroughbred Coolcorran Roseau bred jump- ing the pH of soils.” while running the Bride View Bar mare from the local doctor led ers Carrowgar Je T’Aime (2012, Qualifi ed practitioner Gina extends her gratitude to in the heart of what is point-to- to Gina’s proudest moment as by Je T’Aime Flamenco); Car- About 18 years ago, Gina “all the breeders, producers, vet- point country. breeder and owner of Dublin rowgar Je T’Aime Max (2013, by began learning about the ‘Tel- erinary surgeons and others who The bar clientele were mainly Horse Show Supreme Young Je T’Aime Flamenco); Carrowgar lington Touch’ method and is opened their gates to the group horsey people and Gina was en- Horse Champion in 2019, shown Cool Heart (2014, by Sibon W); now a qualifi ed practitioner in over the recent years as it has couraged to buy the all-rounder by Rebecca Monahan. Car- and Carrowgar Dakara (2016, by several bodywork and training been a super experience to see thoroughbred mare Gritty Shoon rowgar Herald, born 2016, is by Dakar VDL). techniques like ‘Equine Touch’, how others manage their yards (by Sheer Grit xx) who had won a Herald III (Heraldik xx x Lorenz) These are all competing at a fascia release technique, and and their stock.” point-to-point, hunted and show out of Equine Connect Monchie. their levels with Carrowgar Je the ‘Tucker Biokinetic’ technique jumped successfully. In Gina’s words, “I knew I T’Aime now at 1.40m and Car- in managing fascia and skeletal Among Gritty Shoon’s offspring had a good looking horse but to rowgar Apollo waiting in the issues. Gina never stops in her were the 1996 fi lly Equine Con- see Carrowgar Herald crowned wings (2018, by Johnnie Walker quest to learn more. nect Belle, by Roberstown Boy three-year-old champion, VDL). Regarding the discussion VII; a 2001 fi lly Equine Connect supreme champion and claim Gina awaits two foals in 2021, group, Gina says: “though it is a Continued Monchie, by Flagmount King; and the Pembroke Cup was beyond both sired by Herald III out of diverse group in terms of horse/ on page 18 IRELAND: A TOP PRODUCER OF EVENTERS WORLDWIDE It makes commercial sense to aim to breed an eventer! ROAD TO HAPPINESS (TB).