November 2010 The Canadian Cnnemara The Canadian Connemara The Official Publication of the Canadian Connemara Pony Society www.canadianconnemara.org Volume 3, Issue 2 Inside this issue: A tribute to Melanie Jacobi 1964-2010 Ally Dunlop 2 Melanie was 13, and this numerous wins in every disci- Rebecca David MacIssac class included adults. pline, including side-saddle. 1977 2nd Preliminary level One of their specialties was Combined Driving. They com- Western All Breed Show 3 jumping Spruce Meadows mini Grande Prix. peted for many years at the Kestral Fair’s Story Part 1 Battle of the Breeds at Spruce 1978 Champions of the Life with Turfie Meadows, initially for Team Buckskin Association of Pony, and then for our Conne- North America. mara team, until Cormac was Elodon News 4 1979 Qualified for the Con- retired aged 26. Across Canada– Slowly tinental Young Riders In March 2010 Melanie lost her (Eventing) at Graham battle with cancer. There can Kestral, Anna and Friends 5 Ranches where Melanie was be few people who have done the youngest, and Goldie more to promote Connemaras Lavender Downe News 7 the smallest of the competi- at a time when the breed was Traa Dy Liooar Farm News tors. little known. Despite being a Classified Ads 1979 Alberta team at the tall girl, Melanie was never Melanie started riding her little Continental Young Riders com- tempted to transfer to a larger pony “Jingles” when she was 4 petition held near Boston, Mass. mount, and proved that her 2010 AGM Minutes 8 years old, and her talent soon – the team placed 2nd. Connemaras could “do it all”. became apparent. When she 1979 Canadian Equestrian Fed- Melanie will be remembered Important Reminders 9 was 10 years old her mother, eration Reserve Pony Jumper with affection and admiration Doris, brought the first three champions for Alberta. by her fellow horse-lovers. Ballencrieff Farm News 10 Connemara ponies to Alberta. Caraway Merle These ponies came from Dr. 1982 Represented the O’Halloran in Montana, and Connemara breed at one of them was a 3 year old the Challenge of the Pony Show– Red Deer 11 dun mare that they called Breeds in St. Louis, Centuryhill Farm News Avenns Golden Ruby. Missouri – including barrel racing and Melanie and “Goldie” soon driving, along with Battle of the Breeds 2010 12 became a legend on both sides jumping & trail. of the border. They had many Cedar’s Padraig-Lee Taylor 13 wins in hunter/jumper and When Goldie had her eventing. Highlights of their first foal in the mid Rill Farm News 14 career were: 1980’s Melanie took on her mother’s stal- Wilderness Experience! 1977 Gold Medal winners at lion Lynfields Cor- Preliminary Jumper at the Al- mac McCarthy. This Sidesaddle Trainer 15 berta Summer Games (the only also proved to be an K.S. Priceless progress report one with 4 clear rounds) – incredible team with Ali Mark’s Story 16 More reminders!! Address from our New President– Bridget Wingate First of all I want to thank Maritimes. We have some ex- Heather for 4 years of extremely ceptional ponies in all disciplines Connemaras: hard work getting this Society off out there showing just what this the ground. In particular her breed can do. We have decided For all efforts on the by-laws and deal- that ponies competing under an ing with Agriculture Canada EC passport name (rather than disciplines... were quite exceptional. It now their registered name) can be falls to me to keep up the good included in the awards program. For all work. We are going to have a photo I am very pleased to see that gallery on the web-site, so please the family... there are several new and enthu- send in your photos – the best siastic owners, and we now also may end up on the front page of have representation from the the newsletter! The Canadian Connemara Volume 3, Issue 2 Page 2 And now...A salute to our amazing young riders... Erin Meadows Tir na nog (Oke Doke)-by Ally Dunlop This past year has been crazy! In Janu- This summer rocked! Oke was awe- at my first CDI, showing FEI pony, ary 2010 Oke Doke and I travelled to some and we improved our partnership im- my first freestyle, achieving that Florida to compete in the winter dressage mensely! It now feels like we are dancing. I can dreamt of 67.8% in FEI pony individ- circuit! It was truly an experience of a life not pick a favourite event from this summer ual, hacking around the fields with my time. Being able to experience different however there were several highlights: competing mom, playing with Oke and just being venues, the almost warm weather, and around ponies and horses as much as staying in an equestrian community was possible. It was an amazing year!!!! unforgettable. Oke and I were able to Riding my first freestyle was spec- walk right out of the barn and hack be- tacular! Our music, Disney‘s the jungle side canals with tropical flowers and book, suits Oke to a tee! A smile palm trees. The showing was something brimmed off my face whenever we I have never experienced before it was performed especially as Oke started very competitive and there was only an moving in perfect time to the music! open division. Oke Doke was excep- Also hacking was incredible. I love tional; travelling to Florida, adjusting to giving Oke a break to just be a horse the warm weather and new barn. The and have a good gallop over hills (it barn we stayed at was a lot like a jungle helps their muscles too!). To top of with vines and palm trees everywhere – our summer of all summers, we actu- not to mention sand! Oke and I placed ally WON the Ontario Dressage in the top six in open second level. For Championships Technical champion those who do not know the transition and Reserve in Freestyle! Oke was so from first level to second is huge! Al- proud however, he tried to eat our though I could have never imagined the award! I love my pony more than any- experience to be so different from Can- thing and he truly has an Oke Doke ada, I loved being there and so did Oke. attitude! I hope everyone had a super This was the perfect occasion to prepare summer, I know I did! Oke and me for our FEI pony début! and incurring penalty points. The or- Pony Power -by Rebecca David McIsaac der of go was the reverse order of placing so Rebecca would be second A pony technically stands 14.2 hands or the Training Division Championship. He also last. The girl tied with her had lower less but do not equate their small size succeded in capturing the Overall High Point collective dressage marks than Rebecca with their performance ability. Take Rills Junior Championship. so she went ahead of her. She went Carrick Fergus for example. He and his In June, eventing season was well underway and clear. The pressure was on. Rebecca Partner Rebecca David McIsaac had a Fergus and Rebecca coached under the expertise and Fergus went clear and fast- they show season that they will never forget. of Sandra Donnelly prepared themselves for a posted the fastest time of the day. The It all started with the Bow Valley Classic summer road trip. The first stop was Whidbey 1st place rider started off jumping well at Anderson Ranch in Calgary. Compet- Island, Washington for the 34th Annual Three but then things started to fall apart ing in the 1m show jumping ring, Re- Day Event. Dressage went well with Fergus tied after she took a rail, then another one. becca watched as several of the giant for 2nd place in the Novice Division. The next Rebecca finished off by winning the breeds- the Warmbloods, the Thor- day was cross country day. Fergus went clear Novice Division. In addition to this oughbreds and the Trakeners to name a with an impressive run for both jumping and award Fergus was also awarded the few navigated a very difficult course that time. Still tied for 2nd, the third day would deter- “Speedy” Award named in honour of a featured tight turns and long distances. mine the results. Many riders were taking rails pony who was a Whitby Island Pony Then, in comes Fergus. At 14 Hands Club favourite. This award was for the High he was definitely the smallest com- best scoring pony in the whole event. petitor. The bell rang and Fergus and The next day the horse trailer was Rebecca attacked the course. As they packed up and off they went to Heron crossed the finish line, the new leader Park, Montana for a week of training Fergus was announced. It was another in cross country. Next it was Rebecca three hours before all 60 competitors had Farms. Fergus and Rebecca had a completed the course. In the end Fergus beautiful dressage test scoring 27.5 was edged out to third place. Quite a feat penalty points and placing 1st. Cross for the smallest competitor! Country day brought clear skies and a Next on to Amberlea Meadows where double clear round for Fergus and Fergus switched roles from jumper pony Rebecca. The final day- show jumping- to dressage pony. Competing at Training saw the riders and horses challenged Level Fergus’s movements were accurate by a difficult jumping course. Many and flowing. Despite the snowy cold riders took rails. Fergus sitting in 1st weather (several tests were ridden in place was the last competitor to go.