ELPHIN MOUNTAIN CONNEMARAS

News

Last updated: November 6, 2016

September, 2010

September 26 ~ Elphin Galaxy and rider Shaylie Brokate placed 6th of 19 in the Pre-entry Jr division of the Touch A Rainbow Horse Trials, North Augusta ON. September 13 ~ Atlantic Promise has settled into her retirement home - she was intended as a pasture companion only but is now trail riding with her owners husband and grand children and, according to her previous owner, "happy as a clam". We're glad Lanti lucked into such a nice home. September 2 ~ Elphin O'Keefe has moved to a new home about 10 miles down the road from his old home in Georgia. He is now owned by a horsy family with a daughter who events and fox hunts. All the best to them. September 1 ~ A new photo of Henkka (by Heather Dawes, YDucky Imaging). See it here.

August, 2010

August 19 ~ An update from another halfbred owner a little closer to home: Kathy McCowan reports that her 12.2hh mare Peanut (by Mick out of a grade pony mare) is doing well in her training and is up for sale as she has been outgrown. Visit her page here and see the new photos. August 18 ~ Elphin Dublin Ball and owner Betsy Holdsworth won the Novice B division of the long format three day event at the GMHA August Horse Trials in Wooodstock VA. This is essentially a "quarter star" three day event. Congrats to Besty & Dubbie for finishing with a score of 29.8. Read about their adventures in the USEA Blog here. August 15 ~ Aragon (Mick x Holly Day, Welsh/QH mare) and Hilary Popiel won the Preliminary division at Canterdown Horse Trials, Belleville ON. Good job!                 ~ Mr. Spice and Amara Hopner placed 5th in the Pre-training Jr division at Harmony Horse Trials in St. Justine de Newton, PC. August 13 ~ Caraway Charlotte finished 11th out of 65 in the Green Pony Hunter division of the 2010 USEF Pony Finals National Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Lottie's owner Rai Pullen said they were up against some nice ponies who are always on the circuit and Lottie has only been to about 5 'A' shows! Huge congrats to Lottie, her rider Grace and Rai. August 1 ~ News from Finland: the 6 yo mare Coneridge Kathleen (Innellan Kestrel x Kate x Killyreagh Kim) was Champion Connemara at the National Pony Show. She is Henkka's half sister and nice to see her doing so well!

July, 2010

July 27 ~ We heard from Shannon Thompson that she and KS Priceless (Elphin Cronan x Avenn's Diamond Dee) competed at the Inavale Horse Trials in Philomuth Orgeon at the end of June. This was the pair's first Intermediate level; they were 4th after dressage and had clear cross country and SJ rounds to move up to 3rd out of 33 competitors!! I was thrilled. July 11 ~ From Tuula Pyöriä, the breeder of Henkka (our junior stallion): Just a quick note! We had our breed show yesterday and Henkka's little sister Grian repeated his success from last year! Junior Champion, Best Pony Bred in Finland and Reserve Supreme Champion. Malachy Gorham from Ireland was judging and Supreme Champion was a mature brood mare just like last year - this time only different mare. It is very hot in here and I was a bit worried about the travel but everything went well. Grian was on her own in a trailer (only second time she was transported) and did not cause any problems at all. It was a long day for her, 200 kms in transport one way and all the hours at the show in +30 degrees temperature but luckily we had a nice cool box where she could rest a while before her class and again before travelling back home. Gem's children are really something special and she could be proud of her offspring - just wish there could have been more of them!! A big well done to Grian, Tuula and all their connections for this excellent achievement!           ~ Heather's back from judging the ACPS Region V show in Illinois. She said it was a fun weekend and especially enjoyed the party on Saturday night (maybe she's thinking of taking up Irish dancing?!).

June, 2010

June 28 ~ From Pat Ashworth in ACPS Region X regarding the annual West Coast Connemara Show: The Consummate Connemara Trophy is not awarded every year. It is given to a purebred pony who truly represents our breed in "type, temperament, conformation, athletic ability and movement". This year it was awarded to Elphin Song Sparrow who is owned by young Natalie Kupperman and her parents, and trained by Sandra Williams. Congratulations to you, Heather. Sparrow is a true competitor when ridden by his trainer and yet he takes very good care of little Natalie when she rides him. He is a beautiful ponyand a pleasure to watch. Heather, you should be pleased to know that he is loved by his whole family, and is well taken care of. Congratulations to Sparrow, Natalie, The Kupperman family and Sandra! (See photo on Sparrow's page). June 27 ~ Good work to Elphin Gaelic Celebration (Conn/TB) and Julia Dennis for completing two training level horse trails together - Caledon HT on June 20 and Cedar Run HT June 13th.            ~ Congrats to Betsy Holdsworth and Elphin Dublin Ball (Conn/TB, Ceb's full brother) for finishing 4th in the open senior novice division C of Groton House Horse Trials, Hamilton MA.           ~ Another pat on the back to Hilary Popiel and Aragon, a halfbred by Mick. The pair placed 3rd in the open preliminary division of Woodwind Horse Trials, Jarratt, Ontario. June 22 ~ We are pleased to hear that a family from Nova Scotia have purchased Elphin Lullaby of Birdland (Mick x *Scottsway Lullaby) from Lissadell Farm in Arnprior, Ontario. Ellie will be travelling down east in the fall when she's weaned her current Connemara colt foal. She will be a riding and family pony for several young girls and may return to broodmare duties later on. June 19 ~ Indian Summer Bridie (*Hohnhorst Branni x Ballencrieff's Fleur de Lis), owned by the Shade family in Glen, New Hampshire is confirmed in foal to Mick via AI. Bridie is a roan like her sire so maybe Mick will have his first roan foal next year! June 15 ~ KS Priceless and rider Shannon Thompson have already had some great eventing results early on in the 2010 season: a very close 2nd (by 0.7) in the preliminary division of Johvale's Highcountry Horse Trials Pritchard, BC; a 5th at prelim in the MREC June Horse Trials, Maple Ridge BC; and a 1st at prelim in the Aspen Horse Trials, Yelm WA. Shannon writes of the pair's experience at Apsen: "He ended up doing a lovely test, scoring 28.7 and leading the division. The test was almost entirely 7's and 8's... In contrast to the rest of the weekend, cross country day was hot. I was fairly comfortable with the course when I walked it. Even so, I had my usual dose of cross country nerves. Fortunately he just cruised around, unconcerned with anything. We were clear and quite quick. The next day I think he must have thought he would get to go again. He was so high in the warm up, I dared not breathe on the wrong button for fear of an explosive reaction! Thankfully he calmed down in the ring, and jumped a really nice clear round. This won us the event... I now feel ready to go Intermediate at Inavale in two weeks. I am undecided about whether or not we will attempt the CCI** at Rebecca Farm, or wait to do the CCI** at Galway in the fall. His fitness and comfort at Intermediate level in the events to come will help make up my mind." Priceless is a 15.1hh purebred Connemara gelding by Elphin Cronan out of Avenns Diamond Dee. There's a video of him on youtube: just search 'Olympic Dream 2012' and you can watch it. We wish him and Shannon all the very best of luck for the rest of season and beyond! June 6 ~ Caraway Charlotte (Mick x *Wensum Plum) was again high point champion at the ACPS Region IV Show, Pinetop Farm, GA. Her young rider, Grace, was awarded high point rider as she rode Lottie, a Dartmoor pony and did some catch riding. Lottie participated in the inspections held in conjunction with the show and we are very pleased to announce that she is now Mick's first Premium Inspected daughter! Her owner Rai Pullen says "Lottie did very well in her inspections and received her premium status. The inspectors loved her - but hey - what's not to love?!" We agree!           ~ Elphin Chickadee also passed her inspections on the same day. See photos on her page. June 3 ~ From *Caragh Gaoithe's (Henkka's) breeder in Finland: "Just a quick note, I thought you might be interested! Henkka's sisters Ernine and Grian were shown yesterday at our horse board's young pony assessment. Both did very well, I'm more than pleased. Ernine (by Innellan Kestrel) got following points: type 9, head/neck/body 9, limbs 7, walk 8, trot 7, total 40 and I premium. This despite of the fact that she was very tense and can trot better. Grian (out of Innellan Gem) did even better, her points were 99888/42 which is extremely high point score! She was also best in show and these two were the only I premium ponies at the show." Epona's Aidan travels to his new home. Aidan is a 2003 bay gelding by Mick out of Avenn's Cayley Windsong.

May, 2010

May 30 ~ Elphin Mayflower has a filly by Caraway Brio (IP Caraway Finn x *Hearnesbrook Shooting Star) for Violaine Fortin in Quebec. Violaine has named Brio's first foal Violette, after the wood flower, and is very happy, saying May is a wonderful mum. We're glad everything has worked out and look forward to our own Brio baby next year! It should be a very busy few of weeks foaling in 2011 as all the Elphin mares have been bred now too; Abby and Clio to Mick, Rosie and Daisy to Henkka. May 23 ~ Congrats to Hilary Popiel and Aragon for placing 2nd in the Open Preliminary divison of the Glen Oro Horse Trials. Aragon is by Mick out of a Quarter Horse x Welsh large pony mare and ended up bigger than both his parents! May 16 ~ Eventing results for the 2010 are starting to come in now: Elphin Gaelic Celebration and Julia Dennis completed the regular pre-training level at Will O'Wind Horse Trials. Ceb is a Connemara x TB gelding, 1996 model.             ~ Elphin Phintan placed 3rd in the Eventing USA Area III Jr. Beginner Novice Rider Championships at the Chattahoochee Hills May Horse Trials, GA. May 15 ~ Henkka proves he's not just a pretty face, he's a lady's man too! He bred Rosie (Mick x Millie), now it's just a little wait to see if she's in foal!

April, 2010

April 23 ~ Hot on Henkka's heels, Wildwych Clio arrived in Canada from Georgia via Florida and all parts in between (probably a road trip Clio would prefer not to recall!). She is settling in well, has made firm friends with 2 yo Tansy (Mick x Abby) and loves her food. Typical Connemara! April 8 ~ He's finally here!!! *Caragh Gaoithe (pronounced GEE-huh), aka Henkka, arrived in Canada from Finland after several weeks travelling. Henkka is a 2 year old Connemara colt (Innellan Kestrel x Innellan Gem x Glencarrig Lexus) bred by Tuula Pyöriä and purchased to compliment our Mick daughters. We have great hopes for his future career at stud. He is already showing his wonderful Connemara temperament and is very friendly and affectionate. Henkka's long journey involved a 2 day trip across Finland and a ferry-ride to Sweden, followed by a truck to Germany where he did his time in quarantine; then another truck trip to Amsterdam, a transatlantic flight and finally a 5 hour trailer ride home from Toronto! Heather reports that when she let him go in the paddock after all that time being couped up he "didn't know what to do first - check out the fences, gallop, eat, or roll - then he did them in that order!". Henkka has one more week in quarantine at a neighbouring farm before he can set foot on Elphin Mountain soil.

March, 2010

March 21 ~ Elphin Fintan (aka Elphin Phintan) and his rider Nancy Katheryne Webb place 5th in the Junior Beginner Novice division of the Poplar Place March Horse Trials, Hamilton GA with a double clear XC and SJ. March 14 ~ Congratulations are in order for Sophie Andersen on Elphin Chickadee and Aubrie Holland on Gately's Red Robin for winning the Moderate division of the Yadkin Valley Hounds (North Carolina) timed ride. The day prior to this the girls also completed their first fox hunt on their Connemaras. Elphin Mountain Farm is excited to announce the purchase of Wildwych Clio from Rai Pullin's Castlewood Connemaras. Clio was imported in utero from Glenormiston Connemaras in Australia and is by Sue Clarke's Castle Baron (Abbeyleix Owen x Castle Dame x Mervyn Kingsmill) out of *Glenormiston Amelia (Domo Cavallo Praize x Glenormiston Clementine x Abbeyleix Finbar). Clio's sire, known as Henry after his breeder Henry O'Toole, has won many Supreme Championships in both Connemara classes and against all pony breeds in Australia since his arrival from Ireland as a 2 year old. Clio's dam Amelia is a Premium Mare with both the APCS and the German Riding Pony Verband and has competed successfully on the line. Clio is a proven broodmare (dam of Castlewood Village Spryte by Balmullo's Gallagher, and Balmullo's Uproar by Concord River Roaringwater Bay) and we hope she crosses well with Mick in the future. Elphin An Ceann Beag is sold to Rai Pullen of GA. His name has been changed to Elphin O'Keefe and he's looking forward to a career of pony hunter in the same stables as his very successful half sister Caraway Charlotte. March 8 ~ The "Kookie syndicate" is formed! New owners of Elphin Kookaburra (Mick x Abby) are Sally Oxnard and Libby Birnie DVM; rider is Linda Haines. Kookie will be bred to Troutranch Malarkey (*Kingstown Joe x TH Killaire x Whitewood Galway Bay). Congratulations to all involved, it's nice to see Kookie in such a good Connemara home where she'll be appreciated.

---

December, 2009

Merry Christmas to all Connemaras and their owners. Our ponies enjoyed some apples and carrots, a little snow and then some freezing rain on Boxing Day! Elphin An Ceann Beag and Elphin Glasdrummon get started under saddle during Kirsten's 2 month visit back to Canada from Australia. Both boys proved to be sensible, willing and fun to work with and it seemed they enjoyed their lessons. They are looking for new homes and owners!

September, 2009

September 24 ~ Congrats to Elphin Michaelmas Daisy and Elphin Milis Rosánna for passing their CCPS inspections. *Scottsway Lullaby also passed her Premium Mare inspection. Mick had 2 other fillies who were inspected and passed: Celtic Tamara and Century Hills Maidin Realta for a 4/4 pass rate! In western Canada some Elphin grandfoals passed as well - mares by Elphin Lorcan and Starlight's Zara (ex of Elphin Sweet Rosaleen). September 20 ~ Huge congratulations are in order to Glynis Schultz and Irish (Elphin Cronan x TB) for winning the British Columbia Eventing Championships at Intermediate level. Well done! September 3 ~ Congratulations to Ann Scott of Guelph, Ontario on her purchase of Elphin Whippoorwill as a stallion prospect. Ann owns several British Riding Pony mares and hopes to breed some nice ponies with Will.

August, 2009

August 30 ~ Aragon, a halfbred Connemara by Mick out of Holly Day (Welsh x QH mare) placed 4th in his first Preliminary level event at Lane's End with rider Hilary Popiel. The pair have have also had good results all season at Training level. Hilary's father Paul used to coach Kirsten and Mick. August 22 ~ Elphin Birdsong and young rider Colin Oldridge placed 2nd in a big division at Pre-Entry Level, Woodwind Horse Trials. August 16 ~ Congrats Elphin Cronan's get for doing well at the British Columbia eventing Championships. Purebred KS Priceless and Shannon Thompson won the Preliminary Division while Simply Irresistable (3/4 Conn) and Alix Varchol came 4th in the Jr Pre-Entry Divison.

July, 2009

July 26 ~ Congrats to Irish (by Elphin Cronan) for finishing 4th in the CCI** division of The Event At Rebecca Farm, Montana. July 19 ~ Snickers (Mick x After The Party TB) came 3rd out of 13 at junior entry level at the Oakhurst Farm Horse Trials, Ashton Ontario, with rider Megan Hobin. Snickers is the pony formerly known as PS or Elphin Party Up a Storm. July 19 ~ Elphin Birdsong with rider Colin Oldridge placed 6th in the junior pre-entry division at the Equus 3D Horse Trials, Orangeville Ontario.

June, 2009

June 20-21 ~ Well done to Zara (Elphin Sweet Rosaleen (Mick x Oak Hills Gold Friday) by Avenn's Caibre McCarthy) who placed 8th at her 1st event with owner/rider Jennifer Brownlow. They competed in the Pre-Entry Sr division of the Avalon Equestrian Centre Spring Horse Trials, Vancouver Island, BC. June 14 ~ Elphin Mayflower left for her new home at Violaine Fortin's farm in Quebec. She is being leased for a year and will be bred to Caraway Brio (Irish Park's Caraway Finn x *Hearnesbrook Shooting Star). June 12-14 ~ Irish and Glynis camed 5th out of 26 at Intermediate level at the Aspen Farms event in Yelm, WA.

May, 2009

May 30-31 ~ Julie Dennis and Elphin Gaelic Celebration did well at Glen Oro Horse Trials placing 8th in the Jr Pre-Training division with a double clear cross country and stadium. May 16-18 ~ KS Priceless (by Elphin Cronan) won the training division at the Topline Stables Spring Horse Trials in BC. May 10 ~ Irish, a halfbred by Elphin Cronan, placed 2nd at an intermediate level Horse Trials in Rainier, Washington USA, with rider Glynis Schultz. This was only his second time competing at this level; the event was won by Canadian Olympic team member Amy Tryon. Well done to the Connemara contingent! Irish and Glynis were 2nd last year in the BC Eventing Year End Results at Preliminary level. May 2 ~ *Scottsway Lullaby has a bay, to go grey, colt. He has been named Whippoorwill after the nocturnal bird that was calling the night he was born. Will's a friendly, calm little guy who likes pats. His big sister Tansy thinks he's pretty interesting too!

April, 2009

April 24 ~ Sadly our wonderful eventing mare and undisputed queen of the farm, SP Mils Breaban, had to be put down. She will be greatly missed by all; there aren't words to explain Millie's personality or the gap she leaves behind.

January, 2009

Mick is awarded Elite Status with the Canadian Connemara Pony Society for his performance results and ICCPS inspected progeny.

---

November, 2008

Congratulations to Jeanette Gladwin and MacGregor for winning the 2008 NCHTA Junior Pretraining Year-End Championship! MacGregor is by Mick out of a Clydesdale mare.

September, 2008

Sept 14 ~ Congratulations to Brooke Baugher and Elphin Odin for placing 7th/42 in the junior novice division of the 2008 American Eventing Championships! Brooke & Odin had a fantastic season including winning jr training level at the Virginia HT and Loudoun Hunt Pony Club HT, 5th training level at Surefire HT, 5th jr novice at Southern Pines HT 1 and winning the Maryland HT jr novice division.

May, 2008

May 28 ~ Starlight's Maggie Mae, AKA Zara, out of Elphin Sweet Rosaleen (Mick x Oak Hills Gold Friday) by Avenn's Caibre McCarthy, finds a new home and her owner is in touch saying "She has a really nice rolling canter that is a dream to sit". This young mare has already had a purebred filly and is now ready for her riding career so best of luck with her. It's nice to hear this branch of old Friday's family is still going.

April, 2008

April 21 ~ Tags has 3 pups, by C-section! Heather helped with the surgery & thought it was pretty neat. We're not sure if Tags agreed or not but she still seems happy with her new children! All 3 pups are classically marked black & white border collies, 2 bitches and 1 dog. April 17 ~ Foaling season started & finished for the year: *Scottsway Lullaby has another bay filly! To be named Scarlet Tanager, or Tansy for short, she's just like all the other Mick/Abby babies - athletic, typey & friendly. April 13 ~ Lanti arrives at her home & her new human is delighted with her! April 5 ~ Atlantic Promise sold to Bev Wannamaker of Ayr, Ontario (near Cambridge ). Lanti will be a dressage pony and well loved pet.

March, 2008

March 11 ~ Updates on Elphin Cronan's BC eventing crew! Element 47 (Silver), Mac, Simply Irresistible (Dori), Cover Girl (Cloe) and Irish. March 10 ~ Like a lost sock Macie turns up again! She is now owned by Jenny Bridle of Bobcaygeon, Ontario, who found her at a horse auction in Kingston with a Fresian foal on her. Jenny has registered Macie with the CCPS and also reports her TB dam Mae is doing well show jumping in Idaho.

February, 2008

February 25 ~ Check out the update and great new photos on Small Change.

January, 2008

January 20 ~ The end of a chapter in our history - after living at Elphin Mountain Farm for over 18 years, Elphin Clara is put down at the age of 30-something-ish. Goodbye old girl... January 3 ~ Check out the update from Elphin Dublin Ball's new owner.

---

December, 2007

December 27 ~ Elphin Kookaburra departs for her new home in Albany NY in high style - the roads were a bit slippery and the truck couldn't make it up the big hill past our place so we flagged down a neighbour passing by in his tractor & he towed the whole rig (dually 3/4 pick up and 2 horse trailer containing pony!) up the hill. Kookie stood quietly in the trailer the whole time just munching her hay. That's why we have Connemaras! December 26 ~ Great news about an Elphin Lorcan foal: I received a letter from the ASPR last Friday stating that Midnight was a winner in the 2007 Foal Futurity Contest and his photo was going to be published in the 2008 stallion breeding directory and on the ASPR website. Thought you would be interested :) Jenn, Saltspring Island, BC December 6 ~ Home for Christmas!!! Kirsten took a month off work & came back to Canada for some snow, friends, family and Christmas fun.

November, 2007

November 26 ~ Elphin Jenny Wren departs for her new home near Quebec City. November 22 ~ Elphin Kookaburra sold to an Irish family in Albany, NY who are getting into Connemaras & want a riding pony for their daughter. Sounds like it'll be the perfect home for Kookie! November 11 ~ Received this email regarding a halfbred foal by Elphin Lorcan: I thought I would just let you know that one of your grand babies did very well at his first inspection. Last week we went to Vancouver for him (exactly midnight) to be inspected to receive his registration as an American Sport Pony. Just thought I'd let you know he scored a First Premium and was a little champ the entire time - he behaved perfectly for his first trailer ride and adventure away from home. Now we can't decide what to do with him... He scored well and he has good lines on the sires side and he has racing blood on the dams side... we are in the debating stages of do we geld or not, do we sell or not, do we show or not... Lots of decisions :) Jenn

October, 2007

October 26 ~ Received this email in regards to Elphin Quinn and Elphin Domnach Casja ending up at the same stable again after 15 years! They were both from Mick's first crop of foals in 1992. Quinn moved into my extra stall on October 1st and has settled in quite nicely. He is such a sweet fellow - a real pleasure to work around. So, I thought you might like to see these photos I took showing the "brothers" out enjoying some late afternoon fall sun and grazing. Ellen [Quinn's owner] and I have been doing a lot of trail riding. Haven't done much dressage all summer. Living up in the "hills" quite literally means there is not one flat spot anywhere! Cosh might be short but he moves right out (without jigging) and, out on the trail, the brothers are a surprisingly good match. Hannah October 17 ~ Received this email: Saw your story on Bluebird and just thought we would let you know that Bluebird's Merry Chase is still going strong. She is hunting with my daughter leading the first flight for the MOC beagles and went to the pony club national championships in Lexington Kentucky this year. She is an amazing pony and we are also working with her daughter (by Grange). It was interesting to read about her mother and to find out what an exceptional family Merry comes from. Karen & Tess October 10 ~ Elphin Jenny Wren is sold to a family in Quebec who are starting to breed Connemaras.

September, 2007

September 24 ~ The Ceb update: "we are quite thrilled with him and he is settling in great". September 20 ~ Recent update from Elphin Celtic Festival's new owner: Just wanted to let you know that Celtie is doing well and is connected at the hip to Lightning. Christine has ridden her and she has not forgotten much in her time off. She came down and round with not much effort and was very forward but responsive to the aids. Caroline's [Mooreshead] mother, a Connemara breeder in Ireland, was just over and looked over my brood and really liked them all. She thinks I should geld Leo as he is too fine boned for stallion material but very much liked Birdie and Celtie and is looking forward to seeing what Lightning will throw. I asked for her opinion as she produced Connemaras over many years and was pleased with her response. I'm still debating the stallion issue for Celtie and have narrowed it down to A Fine Romance, Brian B, and Steevaroo for thoroughbreds and I'm also looking at Gulliver's Travels who is a Swedish Warmblood, but half thoroughbred who has successfully evented. I will be requesting videos so hope to decide soon with Caroline's help. September 9 ~ Elphin Silver Anniversary heads off to start training at Pony Express Stables. September 6 ~ Elphin Gaelic Celebration leaves for his new home.

August, 2007

August 23 - 27 ~ Heather's in Sacramento California judging at the ACPS Region X Connemara Show. August 17 ~ Elphin Gaelic Celebration sold to Jacqui and Julia Dennis from western Ontario.

July, 2007

July 21 ~ Atlantic Promise attends a small dressage show with her trainer Mark Isenburg and wins all her classes and the training level division!

June, 2007

June 21 ~ Celtie and Lightening also depart for their home together & are reported to be fast friends after a 5 hour trailer trip together. June 21 ~ Elphin Galaxy leaves. June 19 ~ Elphin Galaxy sold to Nancy, from Kingston Ontario. June 6 ~ Celtic O'Mira has a bay filly by Mick for Valerie Everson of Rocking Horse Stable. June 5 ~ *Tatham Ballinanna has a chestnut colt by Mick for the Doners of Century Hill Farm. June 4 ~ Mick gets some well-deserved attention and exercise as Heather starts riding him again after many months of hiatus from the saddle!

May, 2007

May 29 ~ Elphin Skylark departs for his new home. May 26 ~ Elphin Celtic Festival find a new home at Elizabeth Oldridge's Wyndridge Sport Horses in Fenelon Falls, Ontario. Celtie will be joining Elizabeth's band of WB and TB cross mares as well as her half sister, purebred Connemara Elphin Birdsong. May 26 ~ Lightening, a warmblood mare (by Dutch WB Solitaire out of an Anglo Arab), arrives to visit Mick.

April, 2007

April 2 ~ Elphin Skylark sold to a family in Vermont.

---

September, 2006

September 23 ~ Heather heads off to Calgary for the Canadian Connemara Pony Society meeting and to do some inspecting. Doubtless she'll see a few Mick foals or grandfoals along the way!

August, 2006

August 8 ~ Amhran departs for her new home south of the border.

July, 2006

July 25 ~ Elphin Milis Amhran is sold to Marsha Chavin of Albany NY. July 20 ~ Gypsy and her filly return for a repeat breeding to Mick. July 9 ~ *Tatham Ballinanna heads for home too. July 8 ~ Celtic O'Mira returns to Rocking Horse Stable.

June, 2006

June 29 ~ Celtic O'Mira arrives from Rocking Horse Stable to visit Mick. She's a bay Connemara mare by Greystone Tiger O'Toole (*Rosenaharley Laurens x *Clonkeehan Tiger Lily) out of Celtic Joy Chelsea (*Lasrachi x Molly Maughlin). June 22 ~ Tags' last pup is sold. It's a small word as his new owners are neighbours of Sheila Wark, the owner of McGreggor, a 2002 gelding by Mick out of a Clyde mare. June 20 ~ Gypsy, a Shetland/Welsh mare has a bay-brown filly who will turn grey, to the delight of her owners. This little filly is named Peanut! June 16 ~ Wendover's Hope of Ryan arrives. She's another Connemara girlfriend for Mick and is owned by Jen Britain, Kingston, Ontario. June 3 ~ *Tatham Ballinanna arrives to be bred to Mick. She's a lovely imported Connemara mare owned by the Doners of Century Hill Farm in Beaverton, Ontario. June 1 ~ South Ridge Chloe has a chestnut colt by Mick. Chloe and her foal are in Quebec with their new lessee, Violaine. Purebred registered Border Collie pups for sale. 2 males left!

May, 2006

Get your copy of the May/June edition of the Canadian Horse Journal which features "Capable Connemaras". Purebred registered Border Collie pups for sale. 4 males and 3 females from trial and working stock. May 31 ~ Gypsy has a colt for her owner Cathy McCowan. She's a great mum despite only being a tiny (Shetland/Welsh cross) mare! May 24 ~ Glenmary Amaretta (Lynfields Kiltuck x *Crockaun Crème de Cacao) has a chestnut filly who will go grey. She is owned by Zan Thomas of Glenmary Connemaras in Orange, VA.

April, 2006

April 26 ~ News from Katie Petersen at Elk Creek Farm in MI: Elphin Song Sparrow has sired 2 colts. One is out of a Welsh mare and was born April 15, Easter Sunday Morning. The other was born the next day and is a purebred out of Tower Hill's Carmody. He's a lovely shade of dun. April 23 ~ Congrats to Elphin Dublin Ball and owner/rider Betsy Holdsworth for winning the senior novice division (16 entries) at Greenwood Farm Inc Horse Trials in Weatherford TX. April 20 ~ *Scottsway Lullaby has a filly as well! Also bay and very friendly, this one's called Jenny Wren. Like all of Abby's other foals, Jenny's a good Connemara type with the unflappable temperament. April 18 ~ Aluinn de Haoine has a filly too. This time she's black & doesn't look as if she'll go grey like many of Dee's other foals. Heather named her Michaelmas Daisy as she's been wanting to use this name for a long time. Daisy lives up to her name: she's calm, quiet and pretty with lots of bone and good sense! April 15 ~ Tags has 7 pups. After a long and complicated process involving a lot of digging and cutting some holes in the floor to get her out from under the house, Tags and family are doing well. There are 3 female and 4 male purebred Border Collie pups, all classic black and white. Next time maybe Tags will learn that cold dark crawl-spaces do not make good nests! April 9 ~ SP Mils Breaban has a lovely bay filly. She's very friendly, even for a Connemara and has a lovely feminine head. Milis Rosanna's name in Gaelic means sweet rose.

March, 2006

Elphin Chickadee makes the move from Georgia to Tennesse. She's now owned by Vanessa Morgan of Foothills Farm Connemaras. Checkout her page on the FFC website: Chickadee.

---

November, 2005

November 17 ~ South Ridge Chloe leaves Elphin Mountain Farm for Quebec where she'll be living with a friend of Christine Carey's, Violaine Fortin, who is planning to start her own breeding program soon. Let's hope Chloe has a filly for Violaine in the spring of 2006!

October, 2005

October 31 ~ Elphin Chickadee competes in a hunter pace at Ashland Farm, Covington GA, with her owner Rai Pullin. Chickadee & Rai's finished in first place! October 15 ~ Rumour has it that Elphin Turlough is backed and started. He will be spending some time at Terelisa Stables where he'll be ridden by Elphin Tullagh's former rider, Jordan Dunklin, while his owner, Cat Hunter, has her second baby. Congrats to both Cat and Turlough! October 3 ~ Atlantic Promise departs to Mark Isenburg's Pony Express Stables for some winter training. October 3 ~ Elphin's Party Up A Storm, aka PS is sold to Connemara enthusiast Sue Hoban. Sue already owns two halfbreds, Elphin Capella and Elphin Celtic Spice. PS is to be a training project for Sue.

September, 2005

September 25 ~ Elphin Callisto attends a schooling show with his owner Nancy. She said he was great and did some nice dressage tests!

August, 2005

August 8 ~ A visit from Elphin Brynmor's owners and they say he's a wonderful kid's pony. Their daughter absolutely adores him and Bryn gives lunge lessons to other kids at the barn. August 3 ~ Lots of updates to the website! Check out new photos of Mick doing some dressage; new photos of horses for sale (Ceb, Annie, Amhran, May and foals Kee and Glas); a new headshot of Millie and the herd just grazing.

July, 2005

July 29 ~ Finally decide on a name for Celtie's colt: Ard-Righ Niall. Niall means champion and was a famous king in Ireland's history, while Ard-Righ means "high king". July 17 ~ Mick's two pony girlfriends Dandelion and Gypsy leave for home. Hopefully they will produce lovely foals next year! July 11 ~ Lily, a POA mare, has a dark chestnut colt by Mick.

June, 2005

June ~ Loughin's Leighseach has a filly by Mick at Fiona Rhodes' Crosswinds Connemaras. June 3 ~ Elphin Celtic Festival (Conn/TB) has a bay colt by Nias TB (Secretariat x Royal Statute x Northern Dancer). This young fellow is big, bold and has tons of personality!

May, 2005

May 30 ~ Avenn's Arin Grey Dove has a purebred filly at Crosswinds Connemaras in Carp Ont. May 19 ~ South Ridge Chloe has a bay colt. He might be small but he's got lots of energy and Chloe is taking excellent care of her first foal! We are thinking of naming him Glassan or Glasdrummon, which mean green place and green ridge, respectively; as Chloe comes from the Greek for green and verdant. Cookie and Kee look huge compared to him, so it makes us realize how much they have grown in their first month. May 8 ~ Elphin Fintan attends his first trillium dressage show. He won all his classes and came home from Spiritwood Farm the Training level champion! Congrats to Fin, his rider Alli Rasquinha and his owners at Huntleigh Equestrian Centre. Photos.

April, 2005

April 26 ~ Dee's foal has been named Elphin An Ceann Beag, which is Gaelic for The Little One. He's called Kee for short because Ceann is pronounced Kee-own. April 14 ~ *Scottsway Lullaby has a bright bay filly, Elphin Kookaburra. Cookie is a big strong filly full of energy with a bold personality that is already keeping Abby busy! April 13 ~ Aluinn dé Haoine has a dark bay colt who will go grey. Unnamed as of yet, this little guy is tiny but very cute!

January, 2005

January 31 ~ Lambing season starts with a single black ram from Heather II, a Romney ewe. January 17 ~ Congratulations to Heather for becoming a full Inspector with the ACPS. Heather will likely be inspecting ponies with the ACPS and Irish team in BC this fall. January 1 ~ Happy New Year and check back for updates as we renovate the website.

---

December, 2004

Dec 3 ~ Tags' last puppy, Sue, departs via the Ottawa airport. Sue is bound for Nova Scotia where she will work stock, be trialed and bred.

November, 2004

Nov 30 ~ Cosmic Dancer arrives. Cid [Merkur (Trak) x Hy-Dee x My King (Rhein)] is a well-bred 17h warmblood mare who has competed to Medium level dressage and had 1 foal. She has joined our farm to produce quality sport horse halfbred Connemaras for the dressage, jumper and eventing markets. Nov 26 ~ Kirsten graduates from Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Vic., Australia with a diploma in Horse Business Management. She received a high distinction as well as the Horse Health and Horse Husbandry Award.

September, 2004

Sept 23-26 ~ Heather attends the ACPS AGM in St. Charles, Missouri to accept Mick's trophy for the Hall of Fame, An Tostal Award for performance stallion used to promote the Connemara Breed. Sept 19 ~ Elphin Turlough leaves for his new home at Cat Hunter's farm to join kittens Nibs and Twizzle, acquired earlier in the year! Sept 16 ~ New ram arrives, Berty, a brown Romney. Sept 10 ~ Tags has 8 pups, 4 bitches and 4 dogs. All are in good health and are a good size.

August, 2004

August 11 ~ Further inspections hosted by Fiona Rhodes. Mick's daughters Elphin Lullaby of Birdland (ex *Scottsway Lullaby) passed along with 4 other mares. August 10 ~ Elphin Mountain Farm hosts the ACPS inspections. Mick's daughters Elphin Birdsong (ex *Scottsway Lullaby) and Century Hills Star Dancer (ex *Tatham Ballinanna) passed as did our new broodmare South Ridge Chloe, plus another mare and stallion. The Inspectors were Catherine Mack, Donna Duckworth and Catherine Wilkins

July, 2004

July 21 ~ Elphin Callisto sold to Nancy Page of Mallard Landing Farm in Battersea, Ont. Calli will join his full sister Elphin Andromeda (Emma) and will make a nice dressage mount for Nancy, who hopes to breed Emma soon.

May, 2004

May 28 ~ South Ridge Chloe arrives at Elphin Mountain Farm. Chloe is on loan from Kim Sterl and will be bred to Mick May 12 ~ Elphin Celtic Spice sold to Sue Hoban where he will join his 3/4 sister Elphin Capella. Spice will be a pony for Sue's daughter and Cappy (aka Kasia) is now Sue's mount when she whips in for the Ottawa Valley Hunt. May 4 ~ Elphin Turlough sold to Cat Hunter as a future pony for her small daughter and to replace Cat's Elphin Ceilidh, lost to a freak accident last year. May 4 ~ Elphin Fintan sold to Sue Ziereisen of Huntleigh Equestrian Centre, former owners of Elphin Sunday Surprise. Finty will soon begin his career as a lesson pony at this top-quality establishment.

April, 2004

April 20 ~ SP Mils Breaban has a dun colt, Elphin Amharach. April 13 ~ *Scottsway Lullaby has a bay colt, Elphin Skylark.

January, 2004

January 5 ~ Kirsten leaves for Marcus Oldham College, Geelong, Australia.

---

October, 2003

October 19 ~ Touch A Rainbow Fall Benefit Horse Trials. Ceb came 5th in the Sr. Pretraining division. October 5 ~ Threadneedle Event. Ceb placed 5th out of about 18 entries, with a good dressage test and a clear cross country round. We were very happy with him!

September, 2003

September 14 ~ Oakhurst Horse Trials # 2 with Ceb. Our first Pre-training level event was a good one, with 1 rail down over a tricky stadium course and 2 stops (rider error!) cross country. We ended up in 8th place, not bad for the first time. September 11 ~ The big news of the month...I've been accepted in Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Vic., Australia! This is a year long Equine Business Management Diploma, starting in February of 2004. I'm so excited to have been accepted, it's going to be such a great experience! The downside of this means I'll be selling both my horses, Ceb and Celtie. More information on that to be posted later.

August, 2003

August 31 ~ Rocking Horse Trials with Ceb. Another excellent clear cross country round, one rail down in stadium and a good dressage test put us 8th in the Sr. Novice division (no novice horse offered). After this good showing we will be moving up to Pre-training level (3') at our next event. August 17 ~ Steven's Creek Horse Trials with Ceb. We placed 2nd in the Novice Horse division, going clear stadium and cross country! A great day! August 16 ~ Evergreen Trillium Dressage show in Kingston. Another 6th in First Level test 4. We now have enough scores to qualify us for the Eastern Ontario Trillium Dressage championships at First level. August 10 ~ Spiritwood Trillium dressage show with Mick. It poured rain and the ring was soup! Poor Mick doesn't like the wet, so it wasn't the best of days, but we came 6th in the First Level test 4.

July, 2003

July 26 ~ Leave for a week of teaching at the Manitoba Pony Club camp in Treeherne, MB. We had lovely weather and the prairies are beautiful! July 20 ~ The Kingston and Region Pony Club Regional Qualifier show with Ceb. We came 4th in the Pre-training dressage test, did Training level test 3 and 2 jumper classes. A good day of practice for Ceb. July 13 ~ Mick's first Trillium level dressage show, at Night Heron Farm in Kingston. We were 3rd in First Level test 2 and 1st in First Level test 3, both scores in the 60s again. July 6 ~ North Gower Dressage Days Primary show with Mick. He was a star and won all 3 of his classes, First Level tests 2, 3 and 4, with scores in the 60s. We were also the Open division champions. Holly Day has a big chestnut colt who will turn grey. His owners, the McMullen's of Sunset Farms in Stittsville, On., are very happy with this 4-square little guy!

June, 2003

June 26 ~ Headed off to Traverse City, Michigan for 4 days to visit the Petersen's at Elk Creek Farm and their boy Elphin Song Sparrow, and teach at the Great Lakes Region Pony Club D rally. Sparrow looks wonderful, he's almost all grown up! En route I stopped in Orangeville and saw another Mick son, Epona's Aidan. He's a chunky little bay with lots of spunk. June 22 ~ Ceb's first event! He placed 6th in the novice horse division at Touch A Rainbow Horse Trials and never put a foot wrong! June 10 ~ Elphin Brynmor leaves for his new home in Godfrey. He's going to be a riding pony for a little girl. June 6-8 ~ Ceb and I attend the Hawkridge Rally, a 3 day eventing camp for Pony Club members. He was a good boy and jumped well. June 3 ~ Return from Australia, and all I can say was...it was amazing! I saw a Connemara gelding while I was there, Woodlands Peter.

May, 2003

Avenn's Cayley Windsong, GB, had a nice bay colt. He's been named Epona's Aidan. May 23 ~ After the Party, our 25 year old TB mare had a lovely bay filly who we named Silver Anniversary in honour of Party's advanced age! Annie should finish around 15.3 and is a lovely mover. May 20 ~ Suzy, a TB/Selle Français mare comes to visit Mick. Suzy had a career as a dressage horse before being retired as a broodmare, and she also belongs to the winner of the IPE stallion auction. May 12 ~ Not Connemara news, but I leave for Australia today! May 10 ~ Aluinn Dé Haoine has a dark bay filly who will also go grey. We decided to name her Mayflower, or May for short. She's a chunky little filly with a nice quiet temperament and will stay pony sized. May 9 ~ Patricia (aka Isle Wait) a boarding CSH mare had a big chestnut filly who will go grey. Their owner has named the filly Isle Daire U, and has high hopes for her future eventing career! May 3-4 ~ Ceb decided not to get on the trailer so we took Mick to the Jen Hamilton jumper clinic in Kingston. Mick was great and full of bounce over fences. May 2 ~ *Eastland's Gleandearg comes to visit Mick. Eastie is also now a grandmother, her son, Century Hill's McTeague's first foal was born this spring. The colt is out of *Tatham Ballinanna.

April, 2003

April 30 ~ Kilby Patterson reports that Elphin Cassiopeia, our former QH broodmare, has had a filly. Cassie was 2 weeks late, but everyone is just fine! The filly is a chesnut with a small blaze and 2 hind socks. Congrats to another Mick baby! April 22 ~ Our first foal of the year! SP Mils Breaban, Millie, has a dark dun filly by Elphin Song Sparrow. We have decided to name the baby Milis Amhrán, which means Sweet Song in Gaelic. Proud grand parents are our stallion Maplehurst Michael MacDaire and broodmare *Scottsway Lullaby. Amhrán, pronounced Awran, is very inquisitive and loves people and will stay pony sized. April 20 ~ Elphin Gaelic Celebration comes come from 3 months in Kingston. Both he and his human mother are glad school is out for the summer! April 18 ~ TB cross mare Wiley comes to visit Mick. April 6 ~ Updates and new pictures on Dubbie's, Chickadee's and Lottie's pages.

March, 2003

March 31 ~ The Canadian Pony Club Interpacific Exchange silent auction on Mick, Yellow Creek ( a TB) and Temis Elf-Esaie Hermes, "Strider", (a Canadian), closed. Mick's breed was purchased by Brenda Bolton-Corner for $590, Yellow Creek's by Mary Dexter for $270 and Strider's by Sylvie Denault for $215. Thanks to everyone who participated in our fund-raising! March 1 ~ FIRST MICK FOAL OF THE YEAR! Patty Sullivan's TB mare Mae had a lovely big bay colt with a star and white hind heel. He has been named Mason. Patty reports on the rest of their Mick family (Elphin Dublin Ball, Elphin Dubheasa (Vessie) and Mason's full sister Macie): "Dubbie and Vessie are doing fine. Emily hopes for Dubbie to start his eventing career the end of May. She has done fabulous with him they really are connected. We have been on Vessie several times just out in the pasture. She is really a character!! Bruce will start her driving sometime this summer. Macie is doing great also. She is almost has tall as Mae. I never expected that. We have decided to keep her she really is a love also." There will be a meeting of the ECCPA at Silver Screen Farm in Colborne on March 16th, 10:30 AM. Please call hosts John Hobson & Jeanette Vroom for more info: (905) 355-5412; or email Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com We are running a stallion auction in support of the Canadian Pony Club 2003 Interpacific Exchange Team. The team needs to raise $19,000 before May, so we have donated a breeding to Mick. The reserve on the breeding is $400 CDN, $200 less than our regular stud fee! Breeding is by live cover or AI, with the buyer paying additional costs (e.g. mare care or shipping fees). Also at auction is a breeding to the Kentucky-breed TB eventer, Yellow Creek. This black, 16.3 stallion is a bronze premium Canadian Sport Horse and approved by the AQHA and is eventing at preliminary. For more information please see the Park Lane Ranch website or email parklaneranch@darwood.ca. Bids on both breedings close March 31st. To place a bid visit here or email the team manager, Jan Jamieson.

February, 2003

February 18 ~ Check out the new pages for Surprise/Minnie, Birdie and Sparrow February 17 ~ Ceb update: Mr. Saurus seems to like his new home and has given up all pretences of being a pony and is living outside in a blanket (I know, sacrilegious for a 1/2 Connemara, but we all make sacrifices sometimes!). He had a jumping lesson yesterday and seems to have remembered everything. Can't wait for the eventing season to begin...! February 4 ~ Andria and Barb leave for VA with Cody. February 2 ~ We moved Elphin Gaelic Celebration (Ceb-o-saurus to the family!) down to Night Heron Farm in Kingston. Ceb wasn't too pleased with the 2 hour trip but he survived. There will be a meeting of the ECCPA at Silver Screen Farm in Colborne on March 16th, 10:30 AM. Please call hosts John Hobson & Jeanette Vroom for more info: (905) 355-5412; or email Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com We are running a stallion auction in support of the Canadian Pony Club 2003 Interpacific Exchange Team. The team needs to raise $19,000 before May, so we have donated a breeding to Mick. The reserve on the breeding is $400 CDN, $200 less than our regular stud fee! Breeding is by live cover or AI, with the buyer paying additional costs (e.g. mare care or shipping fees). Also at auction is a breeding to the Kentucky-breed TB eventer, Yellow Creek. This black, 16.3 stallion is a bronze premium Canadian Sport Horse and approved by the AQHA and is eventing at preliminary. For more information please see the Park Lane Ranch website or email parklaneranch@darwood.ca. Bids on both breedings close March 31st. To place a bid visit here or email the team manager, Jan Jamieson.

January, 2003

January 29 ~ Elphin Odin sold by Andria and Barb Pooley of Iowa to Linda Wachmeister (owner of Plain Dealing Farm in Virginia) and her 11 year old daughter Benita. Plain Dealing Farm is the home of American eventer and winner of the 2002 Rolex Kentucky ****, Kim Vinoski. We wish Benita and Cody the best of luck in their future eventing career. January 1 ~ Happy New Years! I visited GB (Avenn's Cayley Windsong) and her human family in Orangeville, Ont. GB is as big as a house so we're all hoping for a filly!

---

December, 2002

Merry Christmas from all of us at Elphin Mountain Farm! December 6 ~ Sparrow leaves for Michigan. December 4 ~ Katie leaves to come pick Sparrow up! Check out Mick on the web (a professional photographer's page)!

November, 2002

Elphin Song Sparrow sold to Katie Petersen of Elk Creek Farm in Kewadin, Michigan. Sparrow will be standing to a limited book next spring. Back at home, we are expecting his first foal, a purebred out of SP Mils Breaban, in the spring of 2003. November 26 ~ We would like to congratulate Rai Pullin, Castlewood Farm, Hampton GA, on purchasing Caraway Charlotte. Lottie is by a 3 year old dun mare by Mick and out of *Wensum Plum. She is joining her half sister, Elphin Chickadee, in the sunny south! November 10 ~ Heather is elected National Education Chairperson of the Canadian Pony Club! Congratulations! November 1 ~ Our new saddle is going to Paramount Saddlery in Owen Sound to be widened. Even a wide tree isn't wide enough for Mick and Ceb! If you're interested in Berney saddles, we recommend visiting the webpages of the American distributor, Saddle Up (their website doesn't seem to be working right now), or the company itself in Ireland.

October, 2002

October 25 ~ Not Connemara news, but I passed my Canadian Equestrian Federation/Equine Canada Level 1 Coaching exam. October 21 ~ Check out the new page for Elphin Chickadee! October 18 ~ The National Capital Horse Trials Association/Eastern Ontario Quebec Young Riders Awards Banquet. Mick & I won the EOQYR Championship. This is a points system, tallied over the eventing season, and we had no idea we were even in contention, let alone the lead! I had received an invitation to the banquet months ago, but thought nothing of it, as I assumed all eventers were invited. I didn't make plans to attend, but was contacted by the organisers, 2 days before the banquet, who told me that I'd won and had better show up! It was a great evening out! October 12 ~ A new addition - inanimate this time! It's a Berney saddle (all the way from Ireland! Coincidence? We think not!) which will hopefully be wide enough for both the boys, despite the 2 hand height difference! It was getting pretty hard to be an eventer when the only saddle that fit anyone was a Lovett & Ricketts dressage saddle! We survived the summer by borrowing a County Eventer with an extra-wide tree for Mick, but it was really too wide for Ceb. Now they have a jumping saddle all to themselves... they should be grateful! The joys of saddle fitting for Connemara backs... (Did I say back? I meant coffee-table shaped piece of anatomy connecting head to bum!!) October 8 ~ Weaning time! Everyone survived their trauma by eating lots of hay and mostly ignoring their respective parent/child!

September, 2002

September 29 ~ Elphin Clara and Grace Derbyshire, a member of the Kingston & Region Pony Club, pass their D2 level test. Congrats are in order for this nice young rider and my cranky 20 year old pony! September 27 ~ Just what we needed - another kitten! I couldn't resist her though, so now we have a little tortoiseshell kitty named Liquorice living in the house (even though she came from a barn we somehow didn't have the heart to turf her out in the cold!). September 20 ~ Check out the new 'for sale' pages for Elphin Kyros and Elphin's Celtic Festival. September 11 ~ As a follow up to the ACPS AGM, the East and West Canada Connemara Pony Associations meet at Elphin Mountain Farm. Thanks to Bridget Wingate for the picture of the barn! September 5-8 ~ Certain people take a holiday and attend the ACPS AGM in Rochester NY, while other people are left at home to take care of the farm! No names mentioned! September 1 ~ Mick wins the training level division at Rocking Horse Trials. As well as the open division, we won the Young Rider division, the United Counties Pony Club High Point award for training, the SLOV Regional Rally Championship at Training, and our scramble pony club team came in second!

August, 2002

August 27-29 ~ Elphin Clara attends the Kingston Pony Club D Rally at Graafholm Farm in Seeley's Bay. Clara was ridden by Grace Derbyshire, a member of the Kingston & Region Pony Club. In Thursday's show, Clara and Grace placed 3rd in the canter musical chairs, 2nd in the 18" jumper and 6th in the 2' jumper! Way to go for a 20 year old pony who hasn't been off the farm in 8 years! August 23 ~ Mick schools cross country at Steven's Creek Farm. He was full of bounce, thanks to the cool day and soft footing! August 18 ~ Elphin Cassiopeia (QH) leaves for her new home in Carp, with Kilby Patterson. August 16 ~ Elphin Lullaby of Birdland and Elphin Windy Friday are both sold to Mary Flynn of Renfrew, Ontario. Mary, who has been breeding sport horses, but now wants something smaller, settled on a breed from her native Ireland: the Connemara! We welcome her to our Connemara family; Windy and Elly will be joining Mary after they are weaned in a month. August 11 ~ Our second event of the year, Canterdown Horse Trials, widely recognised as the toughest course in the area. We placed 9th out of 16 in the open division, not bad considering 5 people were eliminated cross country! In the Young Rider division we placed 4th. Pictures August 8 ~ Mick schools cross country at Sunset Farms in Stittsville, home of Holly Day. In fact, Mick and Holly went out on the xc course together, and Holly's owner Grits McMullen used up a roll of film taking pictures! Hopefully we will have some to post soon! August 7 ~ Elphin Tullagh wins the Beginner 3 Dressage at the St. Lawrence Ottawa Valley Pony Club Regional Finals. Tullie is also Champion in the 2'9" - 3' jumper class and reserve champion in the 2'6" - 2'9" class. Congrats to Clara and Mick's only daughter!

July, 2002

July 24 ~ Nothing to do with Connemaras, but I passed my HA Pony Club test, 2 years in the making. Now if only the PC would let me test on a stallion I could do my RA on Mick and get my full A level... July 23 ~ Casey, a grade QH mare, also comes to visit Mr. MacDaire. July 22 ~ Holly Day, a Welsh x QH mare, comes to visit Mick. This will be her second Mick baby. The first, Daire Me, was recently seen competing successfully at the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa. July 21 ~ Ceb attends the United Counties Pony Club show and competes in 2 dressage tests and a jumper class. No ribbons today, but a good experience for my "baby" (all 16.1 of him)! July 14 ~ Ceb attends his first event, the Rocking Horse Short Course Trials. He placed a creditable 4th in the Novice division. July 7 ~ An educational and informative clinic on Connemara breed type hosted by Rocking Horse Stable, and given by Catherine Mack. [Editor's Note: Catherine loved Mick's short back, as well as the rest of him!] Elphin Cassiopeia sold to Kilby Patterson of Carp, Ontario. Kilby and her husband will be using Cassie to breed purebred QH foals. Cassie will be leaving when she weans her current baby, Galaxy, at the end of August.

June, 2002

June 30 ~ First event of the season after extended delays, including weather problems and rider injuries! Mick placed 5th at Touch A Rainbow Horse Trials training level open division, and 3rd in the Young Rider division; but we still have a bone to pick with those water jump judges... Photo To view Mick's picture on the professional photographer's page go to www.christinahandley.com and click on "Show Schedule", then click on "Touch A Rainbow Horse Trials". Mick is the upper left hand picture. (Or click here to go directly to the page.) June 22 ~ Elphin's Celtic Festival gets a visit (and carrots!) from her former owner Martha Greenburg. Martha took a trip back to Ottawa from her current home in Newfoundland and decided to come see "her pony". June 27 ~ We acquire 2 barn kittens, a black female and a grey male, who were bottle raised and are extremely sweet! After a naming debate we settled on Black and Decker, still known as Grey Kitten and Black Kitten to certain parties around here!

May, 2002

May 29 ~ Princess Ann, a grade Clyde mare, has a chestnut colt my Mick. The new arrival belongs to Diana Bayer of Heron Crest Farm, and is named McGreggor. May 19 ~ Madge goes home, after a quick visit to her favourite boyfriend! Her owner is hoping for a colt next year, after 3 fillies in a row! May 17 ~ Story Time, a Welsh/Arab, arrives. Along with Madge is her filly by Mick, Knickknack. Knickers is a pretty little chestnut filly and an absolute sweetie! May 15 ~ Mae and Macie return home to Vermont. We'll miss them after their extended stay here! Macie's human mom couldn't believe how much she'd grown! May 12 ~ The Kingston and Region Pony Club have a meeting here. The Pony Clubbers enjoyed visiting the foals and going on a mock fox hunt. May 5 ~ Kip, our Border Collie, has her puppies, just as we arrive home from the clinic! We now have 6 fat little black and white sausages, 3 dogs and 3 bitches, installed under the kitchen table in the whelping box. May 5 ~ Mick has a son born at Andrea Lafleur's Maplewood Equestrian Centre. Sergeant Pepper is out of Freckles, a POA mare, and is chestnut with a star and snip, and peppy personality! His owner thinks he will be bigger than either Mick or Freckles, and her vet is very impressed with his conformation! May 4 & 5 ~ Mick attends the Jen Hamilton Jumper Clinic at Night Heron Farm in Kingston. May 3 ~ Two wonderfully surprises arrive on Friday afternoon... 2 purebred fillies born within 2 hours of each other!!! The first filly is Elphin Windy Friday, out of Aluinn Dé Haoine by Maplehurst Michael MacDaire. Windy is a dark bay turning gray, she is very friendly and correct. The second little girl is out of SP Mils Breaban by Maplehurst Michael MacDaire and named Elphin Sweet Friday. Weatie is a curious filly, and dark dun turning grey. Proud moms, Millie and Dee, are half sisters, both out of Oak Hills Gold Friday, so these fillies are named after their grandam.

April, 2002

April 19 ~ Knight Moves (Ceilidh) is backed and ridden for the first time! Ceilidh is a 4 year old Conn/TB owned by Cynthia Orman, of Turnberry Hill Farm, in Fallbrook, Ont. April 13 ~ Another filly foal at Elphin Mountain Connemaras! *Scottsway Lullaby had a dark bay filly. Elphin Lullaby of Birdland is a real sweetheart, very quiet and friendly, a typical Connemara. April 10 ~ Elphin Cassiopeia (QH) has a chestnut filly with star and snip. Elphin Galaxy is a lively little girl with lots of get up and go! April 6 ~ Avenns Cayley Windsong arrives to visit Mr. MacDaire. April 4 ~ Brian Donnegan of Drogheda Farm in Calgary, Alberta announced the birth of a chestnut filly out of Drogheda's Lavender, by Elphin Lorcan. This is Lorcan's first foal, proud grandparents at Elphin Mountain Connemaras send their congratulations. Brian is thinking of calling his filly Drogheda's Bluebird.

March, 2002

March 20 ~ Mae and her filly Macie arrive from Vermont. Mae will be rebred to Mick for a 2003 foal.

February, 2002

February 20 ~ Mick has a new family member in Vermont: Patty Sullivan's TB mare, Mae, has a lovely big filly foal! Congratulations! Check out the updates on the page for Mick's foals born off the farm, and Elphin Rory's page. There will be a meeting of the ECCPA at Silver Screen Farm in Colborne on March 17th, 10:30 AM. Please call hosts John Hobson & Jeanette Vroom for more info: (905) 355-5412; or email Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com

January, 2002

January 11 ~ Elphin Chickadee arrives in Georgia to meet her new owners, Jay and Rai Pullin. January 9 ~ Elphin Chickadee leaves for her new home in Hampton, Georgia. Even though it was dark and the middle of a snow storm, Chickadee loaded perfectly into the 18 wheel transport truck that came to pick her up. Happy New Year!

---

December, 2001

December 25 ~ Merry Christmas! December 17 ~ Updates in Life on Our Farm, and Friday's page. December 7 ~ Elphin Chickadee sold to Rai Pullin of Georgia. Chickadee will be leaving for the sunny south sometime in January of 2002. December 3 ~ Elphin Dubheasa leaves for Vermont.

November, 2001

We've been on the web for a year! November 18 ~ Fall meeting and elections of the ECCPA. Location: Holiday Inn, Glen Miller Road, Trenton. Brunch at 11.30. For more information, Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com.

October, 2001

October 30 ~ A new animal arrived at Elphin Mountain Farm, it's not a horse but a Black Welsh Mountain Ram. Bred in Saskatchewan, we hope he will complement our BWM and Romney ewes nicely. October 12 ~ Elphin Sassafras is backed! All went well, and she's on her way to a great career as a dressage pony. Fall meeting and elections of the ECCPA is scheduled for November 18th. Location: Holiday Inn, Glen Miller Road, Trenton. Brunch at 11.30. For more information, Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com.

July, 2001

July 29 ~ The ECCPA Breed Show. This was Elphin Gaelic Celebration's first show! Ceb did well by winning the gelding class and placing in some ridden classes. Mick's progeny also did well, the group of Elphin Gaelic Celebration, Elphin Rory and Knight Moves won the Get of Sire class, with Time for Truffles, Sweet & Saucy and Betelgeuse placing 3rd. See Ceb's picture here July 21 ~ Mick competed at the Kingston and Region Pony Club Regional Qualifier Show. He was 2nd in the Basic 2C, 2nd in the Basic 3C and 1st in the Basic 2 mystery. Over fences Mick was 3rd in the 3' equitation class, 1st in the 3' Table A class, 1st in the 3'3" equitation and 2nd in the 3'6" Table A. Mick then went on to win the Brookwood Smokey Jumper Equitation Challenge with rider Kirsten Scott. July 1 ~ Mick won the his first Training level event!!! We competed at Fox Hill Horse Trials, and again were the smallest horse in the class of 17 entries. Mick won the dressage, went clear cross country, with only 2 time penalties, and had a clear stadium round. The weekend was rather wet and stormy, and despite being barefoot Mick had no traction problems, even in the 3" mud in the dressage ring! Mick has now qualified for both the Ontario Training Level Championships and the NCHTA region Training Championships. Pony Power! Visit pictures of Mick competing and winning. ~ Remember that the ECCPA Connemara Breed Show is July 29, in Kingston, Ontario. For more information on class lists or entering, please contact the secretary, Heather Sherratt: elphin@superaje.com.

June, 2001

June 10 ~ Mick won the Sr. Pre-training division of the Ottawa Spring Horse Trials held at the Nepean National Equestrian Park! We were 2nd after dressage, with a score of 30.6 penalty points, and went clean in both cross country and stadium with no time faults, to move into 1st place and finish on our dressage score. Of 15 entries, Mick was the smallest, and one of only 3 to go clear in the stadium phase, held in the Grand Prix jumper ring. Here's to a great little stallion! See the pictures. ~ Remember that the ECCPA Connemara Breed Show is July 29, in Kingston, Ontario. For more information on class lists or entering, please contact the secretary, Heather Sherratt: elphin@superaje.com.

May, 2001

Congrats to all Mick's babies! ~ Christina Sully's hackney/welsh mare, Cricket, had a chestnut colt, Betelgeuse. May 29 ~ SP Mils Breaban foaled, a beautiful dark brown filly! We have decided to call the baby Elphin Dubheasa (pronounced Duvessa) which is Gaelic for "dark beauty" which she certainly is! Vessa will be tall like her mom, and she is friendly and curious like all Connemaras! May 27 ~ We hear from Brian Donegan that Mick's second AI baby in Calgary is born. Out of his Connemara mare Bally's Fancy China, this little filly is a chestnut with 2 socks. May 27 ~ After the Party, our TB mare foaled! She had a nice little bay colt who we have named Elphin Party Up a Storm, since his mom was bred in a thunderstorm last year, and he was born in one this year! We call him PS for short, also standing for Post Script because he's Party's last foal, at age 23 she deserves a well earned retirement! May 21 ~ While testing at a Pony Club D rally we saw Elphin Tullagh (Mick x Elphin Clara) out and about with her young rider Jordan. Tullie is a 6 year old, 13.2 hh, halfbred mare; she and Jordan were taking their D2 level Pony Club test. We also payed a visit to Debbie's Robertson's 2 year old halfbred gelding Gryphyn, what a lovely boy! Millie and Party are still ladies in waiting. Both look huge and about to burst, but have a week left to go. May 20 ~ Mick's first competition of the year: Rocking Horse Short Course Trials. Mick was first in the Training division, having a double clear x-c and stadium (3'3"). An auspicious start to our show season! May 9 ~ Elphin Kyros backed! Ky is taking his training in stride, as every good Connemara should. Elphin Gaelic Celebration is back in work after his 8 month break while I was at school. Ceb is learning fast, and we're planning to go to a small event or 2 this summer. May 8 ~ Diana Bayer's CSH mare HC Maui foaled. Maui had a large chestnut filly who will turn grey, named Pearl. May 5 ~ Mick and Dee have a purebred grandson born in Mantua, Ohio, Loughin's Knight Wind. Out of Elphin April Shower and by *Kilfenora Windy Isles, this little guy is a full sister to Loughin's Island Mist. ~ Mick has a purebred AI daughter born. Drogheda's Hand of the Heart arrived early one morning to Bein Mallin's Caitlin on Brian Donegan's farm in Calgary, Alberta.

January, 2001

Elphin Birdsong sold to Elizabeth Oldridge's Wyndridge Farm, a sport horse breeding farm in Fenelon Falls, Ontario. Birdie will be used as a dressage pony and a broodmare. We wish Birdie and her new owners the best of luck! Check out the new section of the web page, Mick's foals. There is information on each of the babies born on our farm, plus photos of some in their new homes. If you have a Mick foal or grandfoal, please send us a progress report via email!

December, 2000

Merry Christmas to all Connemaras and their owners! Have you ever tried feeding your pony a candy cane? Ours love it!