ELPHIN MOUNTAIN CONNEMARAS
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[2015] ~ [2014] ~ [2013] ~ [2012] ~ [2011] ~ [2010] ~ [2009] ~ [2008] ~ [2007] ~ [2006] ~ [2005] ~ [2004] ~ [2003] ~ [2002] ~ [2001] ~ [2000]
October, 2016 |
October 25 ~ Congratulations to Mejken Lowe Greenwood and John Lowe on their purchase of Elphin Sunbird (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x *Scottsway Lullaby) and Elphin Milis Rosanna (Mick x SP Mils Breaban). Sunny and Rosie arrived in Huntsville, Utah late last night. You got the last of the Elphin ponies to leave the farm, hope you enjoy! They'll get to meet some Mary Prewitt's Wildwych ponies at their new home. October 14 ~ Congrats to Larissa Kraus on purchasing Elphin Juniper (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x Wildwych Clio) for her daughter. Juniper arrived in Goleta, California (near Santa Barbara), earlier this week. He was started under saddle by Christine Baker and looks forward to becoming a kid's pony! Travelling must be in his blood - his dam (Castle Baron IRE x *Glenormison Amelia) was bred at Sue Clarke's Glenormiston Stud and imported in utero from Australia by Mary Prewittt of Wildwych Connemaras in Colorado. We purchased Clio from Rai Pullin in Georgia and she now lives in New Hampshire with Kim Sterl. And coincidentally, Juniper's granddam Amelia now also lives in California with Lisa Martin-Gerdes, Redbud Ranch. |
September, 2016 |
September 28 ~ Congrats to Cobblestone Ivy (MGRM Brigadoon x Loughins Island Mist) & her human connections for winning the 2016 ACPS Connemara of the Year Award. This award recognizes a Purebred or Halfbred Connemara that has done something special to attract attention to the breed, either competitively or non competitively, in the past year. Ivy is owned by Coralee Richardson and is a grand-daughter of Elphin April Showers (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x Aluinn de Haoine) and was bred by Pat Ashworth near the Sierra Nevada Mountains in CA. September 25 ~ Congratulations to Mick's offspring at the Autumn at Ashland breed show. In the Sportpony Starsearch Division, Elphin Kittiwake, owned by Christine Baker, won the mares 3 & over class, with second place going to Elphin Scarlet Tanager owned by Paul Morgan. Erin Hill's Callahan (halfbred filly) won the yearling class for her owners Grace and Tara Fiona O'Driscoll. First show for all and qualified for the Royal! |
August, 2016 |
August 14 ~ Elphin Kookaburra and her young rider Cailey Fay attended the Dressage 4 Kids in Saugerties NY, this is part of international rider Lendon Gray's Youth Dressage Festival. |
July, 2016 |
July 30 ~ Yet
another Mick x Abby granddaughter doing well: Lissadell
Zepp-Lynn (Belfast Bonfire x
Elphin Lullaby of Birdland), owned by
Karen
McKibbin Wharry and bred by Mary
Flynn, rocked her first jumping classes at a local schooling
show. Karen says "It's
been 20 years for me doing this and
she hadn't done it before. She truly is a little speed gem, but was so
honest and trusting. I'm totally thrilled with my Connemara pony. The
day was made even better when she met her half brother Belfast Banner."
July 28 ~ Congrats also to
Mick
and Abby on their two daughters who passed Canadian Connemara Pony
Society Inspections last week:
Elphin
Sandpiper, 2011 bay mare in Bracebridge, Ontario and
Elphin Capercaillie, 2013 bay mare in L'Ange Gardien QC. They
both looked lovely and well-presented.
|
May, 2016 |
May 30 ~ Belated
congratulations to Christine Baker on her purchase of
Elphin Kittiwake
last month. Kitti will be Christine's riding pony and maybe a broodmare
too. Cheers as well to
Ashland Farm and Paul Morgan on their
purchase of
Elphin Scarlet Tanager,
Elphin Michaelmas Daisy
and
Castlebar Dreams of
Ireland. Tansy, Daisy and Lucy will be joining the new sport
pony
breeding program as broodmares at this Ontario farm. Ashland Farm is
well known for breeding warmbloods, including Dutch Warmblood stallion
Popeye K, who was named 2005 Hunter of the Year in the US.
Daisy's gelding son,
Elphin Tuuli (*Caragh Gaoithe) also went along for
the ride to Ashland for some training. May 1 ~ Amber, a ladyfriend for Lee the Border Collie, arrived at the farm. She's a classic tricolour and from a beef farm so has lots of working genes. Hopefully these two will have a litter in 2017. |
April, 2016 |
April 29 ~ After keeping Heather waiting for several weeks, broodmare extraordinaire *Scottsway Lullaby had her 14th foal last night - a huge bay colt with star/stripe/snip, one sock and one stocking at the back! Abby doesn't have a white hair on her so it was a bit of a shock and must come from Mick's side of the family. At 21 this will be Abby's last baby, she's done well. April 21 ~ Happy news from Hollymead Farm, North Carolina. Sue Holland's Elphin Chickadee (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x *Scottsway Lullaby) had a colt the other day by Loughrea's Seamus. Back at home, Heather is still waiting for Chickadee's dam, Abby, to foal! Maybe the full moon will help! |
February, 2016 |
February 20 ~ Thanks to Jennifer Brownlow for tracking down some information on Elphin Sweet Rosaleen (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x Oak Hills Gold Friday), the dam of her mare Starlight's Zara. Rosie, now known as Candy and shown as LDL Sweet Rosaleen, is a 1994 palomino mare. She is owned by Jennifer Laye, Laye D Luck Stables, Calgary. Jennifer Laye says "I'm so glad you reached out to me, I've always wondered where her babies ended up. We've always known her as Candy, but I know her name used to be Rosie. We bought her 5 years ago to use in our lessons program. She is just an amazing little mare, we adore her to pieces! She is 22 years young and still showing kids the ropes in the hunter ring, showing no signs of slowing down..." She was recently a winner in the 2’6” division at the Royal West, and five years ago under a different rider, she won the 3 bar pony jumping at Spruce Meadows at 3’6”. February 4 ~ Congratulations to Muskoka Lakes Connemaras for acquiring Pippa (Elphin Sandpiper). Ower Janet Rowe says "This lovely mare is by Maplehurst Michael MacDaire and is out of *Scottsway Lullabye. I am over the moon to have such a fabulous mare to add to the broodmare band! I was honoured to have a sister of hers bred to Lu and I rode Sue Holland's Elphin Chickadee when I was in North Carolina. So, to be able to add a full sister to my breeding program is absolutely fantastic. She will be bred to Morning Glorys Ilyushin this year and I can't wait to see what they produce!!" |
January, 2016 |
A new face at the farm: Lee the Border Collie has moved in! He's a happy little red tri-coloured fellow who came from a dairy farm and is used to horses as well. Lee is also the sire of the last litter of puppies born at Elphin Mountain Farm in 2013. Heather hopes to find him a nice female Border Collie sometime soon to continue her 30+ years of breeding Collies! |
November, 2015 |
We are very pleased to announce that *Scottsway Lullabye won the 2015 Canadian Connemara Pony Society Foundation Broodmare Award. Little Abby has had 13 foals, all by Mick, and is currently in foal with number 14! She's a wonderful broodmare, very easy to have around the farm, and a her contribution to the breed reaches from Nova Scotia to California! Congratulations to Christine Baker on her purchase of *Caragh Goaithe. We hope Henkka enjoys his new life as a riding pony! |
September, 2015 |
September 23 ~ A lovely update from Katherine Hazleton about her half Connemara gelding: "Peter Piper is out of Mick and Babe (a hackney cross) he is the best, so much fun, great personality. We all love him. Sadly I can't ride him at the moment as I'm posted out of country for a few years, so two girls are having a lot of fun with him and I live through them. Thanks Mick for a great son." Katherine also sent some photos that will be posted soon. |
August, 2015 |
August 30 ~ Congratulations to Simply Irresistible (Dori), by Elphin Cronan ex a Conn/Arab mare, and Cover Girl (Chloe) by Cronan ex a TB mare and their riders! Dori and her rider Kyla Mason were 1st in the Pre-Entry division at the Island 22 Horse Trails and 2015 Pre-Entry champions for British Columbia. Chloe and her rider Kailyn Groth were 2nd in the division and took the Reserve Championship. Congrats to all involved! |
July, 2015 |
July 18 ~ Congratulations to
Shadey Hills
Donovan (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x Indian Summers
Bridie), bred, owned and shown by Deb Shade, for winning the purebred
gelding in-hand championship at the 2015 Region 1 Connemara Show in
the U.S. He is 4. July 7 ~ Amber Anderson's mare Elphin Birdsong had buckskin filly, Adaryn SVF, by Morning Glory's Ilyushin. The filly looks a lot like dad with four white socks and a star. Both mare and foal live at Amber's Small Victory Farm in Peterborough, Ontario. |
June, 2015 |
June 3 ~ Congratulations to Connie Dyck, Boissevan MB, on her purchase of Elphin Whiskeyjack (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x *Scottsway Lullaby). Jack arrived at his new home last week. |
May, 2015 |
May 31 ~From Jennifer
Brownlow, owner and rider of Starlight's Zara (Avenn's Caibre MacCarthy
x Elphin Sweet Rosaleen) "A quick note to say Zara is making
her official Second Level Tests 2 and 3 debut in Victoria tomorrow at
the Victoria-Saanich Equine Canada Bronze show. I’ve been working so
hard these past months! Yesterday I had a great lesson as I think we
finally have taught her collected canter! Her canter is still not quite
what they want but her trot is there so I figured I’d go for it. I’m
aching all over…she must be too! These tests are new for 2015. We’ve
got shoulder-in, half-pirouettes at the walk, travers, simple changes
through the walk and counter-canter. She is nailing the medium trot
now. Her muscling is changing and finally her neck is beginning to show
the right shape." Good luck to Jennifer and Zara! May 21 ~ Mick's third and final foal for the season arrived - Scarlett, a British Riding Pony mare, had a chestnut filly. Her owner says "Got a surprise this morning when I went out to the barn. Mother and baby are doing great!" May 19 ~ *Eastland's
Glendearg had a lovely purebred filly by Mick for her owners, Rick and
Dale Doner of Century Hill Farm. May 15 ~ Janet Rowe, Muskoka Lakes Connemaras, visited "The most adorable Elphin Chickadee, who I got to ride (and jump!) at Sue Holland's farm in April! Wonderful mare." May 8 ~ Mick's first foal for 2015 is a chestnut colt with 4 white feet out of a client's mare, Lucy, a Bashkir Curly. His owner says "Lucy had a healthy big colt last night. He must be a throwback to his maternal granddam as he came out with four white feet and a blaze. He's much bigger than I expected, he won't be walking under his momma without some difficulty." |
April, 2015 |
April 29 ~ A news update about Kirsten's old Conn/TB gelding Elphin Gaelic Celebration (incidentally born the same year as Odin). Heather received an email that said "I just found your we page and thought I would let you know that I have purchased Ceb off of Julia Dennis! He is an amazing addition for us and we all love him!" Hope to hear more about Ceb in the future and what he's doing. |
March, 2015 |
March 9 ~ A news update about Elphin Odin, a 1996 Conn/TB-QH gelding. Heather received an email that said "He is currently doing advanced green and green eventing. I will have known him for one year now and he is so sweet I love him to pieces and we think that he is about 18 now." It's great to catch up on with old friends! |
February, 2015 |
February 25 ~ Caraway Charlotte
(Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x *Wensum Plum) was awarded the 2014
Clifden Award. This is he biggest hunter pony award in the Connemara
repertoire in the US and is awarded by the USEF to the high point
purebred Connemara hunter pony for the year. |
January, 2015 |
January 26 ~ From Lorelle Carpenter: "We just found out that our beloved little Connemara gelding came from Elphin Mountain Connemaras - and that his real name was "Drum"... or Elphin Drummcarrick. We saw his baby picture on your main website and were amazed to find that our little grey pony was a dun baby! We wanted you to know he has a great home in New Hampshire and if you have any additional pictures of him as a baby, we would LOVE to see them!" So nice to hear about one of our early foals - Drum was from Mick's 1993 (second) crop of foals. |
September, 2014 |
Updated photos on E. Whiskeyjack's
page. He's growing into a big boy! |
June, 2014 |
Mick has been a busy boy over the last few weeks - he's had visits from a Bashkir Curly mare named Lucy and a British Riding Pony mare named Scarlett. He also took a trip to the AI collection facility and some semen was shipped to Century Hills Farm for their mare *Eastlands Glendearg (who has been confirmed in foal). |
May, 2014 |
May 27 ~ After seven and a half months at home, Kirsten is heading back on the long road trip northwest to the Yukon. She bids a fond farewell to all the ponies, (Mick, Abby and Jack in particular) and has taken Heather's little Border Collie Belle with her for adventures north of the 60th parallel! May 25 ~ We're live on the wonderful (?!) world of Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elphinmountainconnemaras May 6 ~ Abby has a bay colt with 2 white socks and a star. He is exactly what we order and super-duper friendly! Kudos to dear, dear old Abby (who is 19 this year!) and Mick (age 25) on the 13th foal together. The colt is named Elphin Whiskeyjack after the inquisitive, bold grey jays or whiskeyjacks that are common in the boreal forest of northern Canada (a nod to Kirsten's time in the north). Jack already loves his Auntie Dee (28 year old Aluinn de Haoine) and galloping around the paddock. |
November, 2013 |
November 20 ~ Elphin Capercallie went to her new home in Quebec today. At the ripe old age of 7 months, Callie hopped straight on the trailer like an old pro. Her new owners say she arrived at the other end in good enough spirits to show her companion, a little old pony gelding, who's boss! November 17 ~ Elphin Glasdrummon and Wildwych Clio departed for their new home in New Hampshire. Glas will be a project pony for Kim Sterl and her teenage son, while Clio will be a broodmare and future pony for Kim's partner's grandchildren. It's a great home for both of them! |
October, 2013 |
October 21 ~ Elphin Malachite departed for his new home in BC today and was a very good boy to load on the truck. We wish him well on his long road trip across Canada! |
July, 2013 |
July 27 ~ Moss's pups have all found new homes. Their names (chosen by new owners) are Belle, Buddie, Oliver, Roland, and Robbie. Belle is staying at Elphin Mountain Farm to be Heather's little helper! |
June, 2013 |
June 6 ~ Little miss Capercaillie has been sold to a family who live east of Ottawa. She will leave once she's weaned and join her family as well 4-legged friends in the form of an anglo-arab mare and a QH. |
May, 2013 |
May 19 ~ Niall (Nias TB x Elphin Celtic Festival) is off to his new home. May 17 ~ Mick is also getting a vist from Dilly, a grey RID mare. Should be a nice foal! May 14 ~ Mick is getting a visit from the mare Romantic Fanfare AKA Flea, a bay/brown 15.3hh 2000 CSHA Hanoverian/TB mare by the well known stallion A Fine Romance out of the imported Hanoverian mare Flair. Fingers crossed for a lovely sport horse foal for her owners, Caraway Connemaras. May 3 ~ Castlebar Dreams of Ireland finally had a chestnut/grey colt by *Caragh Gaoithe (she was 10 days overdue). His name is Nightcap. |
April, 2013 |
April 27 ~ Abby had a bay filly. Heather describes her as yet another pea in the pod! Abby is being her usual industrious mothering self. The filly will be called Capercaillie, which is a wood grouse and it means (from the Gaelic) horse in the woods - so very suitable! April 8 ~ Moss had 5 puppies! One female and 4 males. Most are dark like their mum but some have classic border collie markings. Dad is a red and white BC so it'll be interesting to see what colour the pups end up. They will be registered and offered for sale in a couple of months' time. |
February, 2013 |
February 18 ~ Kirsten was home for the weekend and went for a ride on Mick. Of course he was a wonderful old trooper and they both had a great time in the sunny winter weather. |
November, 2012 |
Lots of updates on the website! These include new photos of E. Mayflower, E. Song Sparrow, E. Kookaburra, E. Lullaby of Birdland, E. Cronan, E. Chickadee, E. Callisto & E. Andromeda. There are also plenty of fresh images of Henkka on his page (plus thumbnail gallery here) as well as some of his siblings in Europe. The foals have been weaned and images of them as weanlings are available too. |
October, 2012 |
October 18 ~ Elphin Malachite (*Caragh Goithe x Elphin Milis Rosanna x Maplehurst Michael MacDaire) has been sold to Smithers, BC, where he will join his uncle Elphin Cronan (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x SP Mils Breaban) as a stallion in the spring of 2013. We're very pleased that a pony with Mal's presence and personality will be going to a home where he'll be truly appreciated. His new owner said this: I wasn't really expecting to buy a colt right now but when I saw him and saw his breeding I knew I had to try. I know you will understand when I tell you that Cronan is probably the kindest, most affectionate horse I have ever met. He likes to act tough, snorting and prancing, showing off in front of the mares, but when it comes to me handling him, he has never even offered to bite or do anything aggressive towards me. He is quite sensitive, maybe more than some Connemaras, but he understands when I am feeling down and he will wrap his neck around me. October 17 ~ Henkka has gone
off to school! Local Norwegian Fjord breeder Pat Wolfe will be breaking
Henkka to saddle. Pat is an experienced horseman with many acoclades to
his name, the latest being winning the pony pairs division in August at
Walnut Hill Farm Driving Competition (Pittsford, NY) with his mares,
Hojgaards Emmeline and Hojgaards Gaja. We hope Henkka enjoys his time
learning new things! October 1 ~ From Satu Pikanen in Finland: Henkka's poor little sister Caragh Grian [Ashfield Cathal Crobdhearg] was inspected today. (Poor, as in she has had a rough time with an accident & injury). She got 41 points, which is VERY good, esp. knowing she'll never move cleanly with her injuries. Tuula's older mares (also Henkka's sisters, as they are by Kestrel) did very well, too. Caragh Ernine got the same points, 41, and Caragh Emer got 44, with full 10 for type, possibly highest score ever for a Connemara mare at inspection in Finland. We could think of one other mare that was inspected with 43 pts 20 yrs ago! Only Kestrel himself has ever gotten a higher score for Connemaras, 45 (out of 50). |
September, 2012 |
September 23 ~ Exciting news today as *Caragh Gaoithe AKA Henkka passed his Canadian Connemara Pony Society stallion inspection with flying colours! The inspectors said he would be a great addition to the bloodlines in the States as well as Canada. They thought he was very athletic and that was what we needed in ponies as well as good conformation. He passed with 84.5% which is very good considering he is still young and not yet fully mature. Elphin mares Wildwych Clio (Castle Baron IRE x *Glenormiston Amelia), Elphin Scarlet Tanager (Maplehurst Michael MacDaire x *Scottsway Lullaby) and Castlebar's Dreams of Ireland (Skyview's Triton x Starlight's Irish Dream) also passed. In Quebec, Elphin Mayflower (Mick x Aluinn de Haoine) and her daughter Violette de Brio (Caraway Brio) also passed. September 8 ~ From Henkka's breeder, Tuula Pyöriä: Henkka's [paternal, by Innellan Kestral] sisters Ernine & Emer were shown at the Finnish Connemara Breed Show with John Noel Mullen from Fairyhill Stud in Ireland judging. The result was good, first and second place in the 4 to 9 year old mare class (big class in our standards, 15 entries) and both with first premium. |
August, 2012 |
August 1 ~ At the 33rd annual National Pony Show in Finland six year-old Coneridge Kathleen (Innellan Kestrel x Kate x Killyreagh Kim, breeder Mari Talvio, owner Annika Hägglund) took the Champion Mare title and then went on to become the Supreme Champion. |
July, 2012 |
An update from Elphin
Kookaburra's owner Sally Oxnard in NH: Elphin Kookaburra made
her show debut in June at a New England Dressage Association Sport Pony
in hand class at Windswept Farm where she behaved like an old pro and
won her Connemara class with a 73.8% and nice comments on her beautiful
and head and length of rein and shoulder and back. Maybe the handler
(me) did not get a big trot out of her. |
May, 2012 |
May 27 ~ Wildwych Clio had a bay colt by Mick. Elphin Juniper has lots of white on his face and is a calm demeanor like his mum. May 8 ~ Elphin Milis Rosánna had a bay to go grey colt by Henkka! Elphin Malachite is a super friendly guy who already loves to gallop so we're hoping for a great future for him as an eventer. Rosie is being a loving first time mum. Henkka's dam was named Innellan Gem and sadly died very suddenly at age 6 so we thought it would be nice to remember Gem by naming Rosie's foals after gemstones. Malachite is a beautiful green mineral. |
April, 2012 |
April 27 ~ A big welcome to Henkka's first baby!!! Elphin Michaelmas Daisy had a black to go grey colt by Henkka today. He's very friendly and has great pony type. We've named the little fella Elphin Tuuli as Henkka's real name Gaoithe means wind in Gaelic and Tuuli means wind in Finnish - Finland being Henkka's homeland! Daisy is enjoying being a mum and Tuuli is starting to make friends with Kitti already! April 26 ~ She's done it AGAIN! *Scottsway Lullaby had another bay/grey filly by Mick. The little girl has one sock and a star; Heather's description of her was "another pea in the pod" as Abby & Mick just cross so well. She's been named Elphin Kittiwake. |
December, 2011 |
Kirsten came home from Australia for 5 weeks over Christmas and New Years and had a great time ride her old eventer Mick. Who says a Connemara stallion at age 22 can't go for a good gallop now & then?! There were lots of new faces to meet as well: the new man on the block, Henkka, as well as the 2011 weanlings Pippa and Rowan, and new mares Lucy and Clio! Lots of changes around the farm! |
September, 2011 |
We're very pleased to
announce that Mick's dam, *Abbeyleix Bluebird won the 2011 Canadian
Connemara Pony Society Lus na bPog/Sean MacLochlainn Foundation
Broodmare Award. Read about it here and photos here. |
August, 2011 |
August 2 ~ We'd like to
welcome Castlebar Dreams of
Ireland (Skyview's Triton x Starlight's Irish Dreams x Avenns
Cairbre MacCarthy) to Elphin Mountain Farm! Lucy has been travelling
across North America from Washington state to Ontario for the past few
days with remarkable aplomb. A big thanks to everyone who helped get
her from one side of the continent to the other! Lucy is a
great-granddaughter of our foundation mare Oak Hills Gold Friday and
stallion Maplehurst Michael MacDaire and will be bred to Henkka next
spring. August 15 ~ Elphin Silver Anniversary sold to Hilary Lecluse, Ormstown Quebec. We're pleased to see Annie go to a great home where she'll be a project of Hilary's. We'd also like to announce that for the first time in over a decade, Elphin Mountain Farm is expecting 5 foals next year - 3 from Henkka (his first crop) out of Rosie, Daisy and Tansy, and 2 from Mick out of Abby and Clio. |
May, 2011 |
May 21 ~ Check out the new photos of Pippa on her page! May 12 ~ Wildwych Clio's filly finally has a name: Rowan. Also called mountain ash, rowan trees have a long history of association with myth and mythology which suits this filly as Clio is the muse of history in Greek mythology. The Celts called rowan trees the traveller's tree and believed it prevented those on a journey from becoming lost. Seeing as Clio came to Elphin Mountain Farm in utero from Australia, via Colorado and Georgia, this is even more fitting! Also, Clio's original name was W. Pagan and the ancient druids held the rowan tree in high regard, often using its wood for staffs and dowsing rods. Finally, Daire means 'oak' in Gaelic, so this is also a tribute to Mick and his sire. We think we might stick with the tree theme in future for Clio's foals so we're not stuck with anymore no-namers! May 9 ~ We heard from Debbie Shade that her mare Indian Summer's Bridie had a purebred Connemara colt by Mick. She says "Shadey Hills Donovan was born Wednesday and he and his mom are doing great. He is a love and very people friendly. Everything we could wish for. Textbook perfect 12 minute birth by a maiden mare at 335 days!" Visit his page here. May 5 ~ After an extended wait Wildwych Clio (Castle Baron IRE x *Glenormiston Amelia) finally made good and had a bay (to go grey) filly, no white, by Mick! This is Clio's first foal at Elphin Mountain Farm which is pretty exciting after Clio's extended journey around the world (bred in Australia, born in Colorado, grew up in Georgia). The filly is a good type with a really sweet personality. Name yet to be decided. |
April, 2011 |
April 23 ~ Here's Mr. Henkka showing off to the ladies! April 19 ~ *Scottsway Lullaby had a bay (to stay bay) filly, no white, by Maplehurst Michael MacDaire. She's been named Elphin Sandpiper or Pippa for short. Pippa's a lovely friendly filly who adores people and playing. |
March, 2011 |
March 30 ~ At the Atlanta Spring Classic Caraway Charlotte (Mick x *Wensom Plum) placed 5th in the Pony Medal, 8th in the Medium Pony Hunter, and 4th in the Medium Pony Hutner Conformation. Way to go Lottie, her rider Grace and owner Rai at an AA rated show! March 29 ~ Elphin Moss, our big, very black Border Collie bitch just paid a successful courting visit to Lee, a sweet little red tri-colour dog in Cobden. High hopes for puppies in 9 weeks! |
December, 2010 |
December 22 ~ Merry Christmas from the grand old man himself! Here's Maplehurst Michael MacDaire at nearly 22 years old looking hale and hearty! |
October, 2010 |
October 18 ~ Caraway Charlotte (Mick x *Wensum Plum) and her rider Grace had a great showing at the AAHJA finals today: jr/adult medal -1st; pony hunters - reserve champion; open hunters - reserve champion; 14 and under eq-champion. Lottie's owner Rai Pullen says of this photo: "Notice Lottie in the line up - some BIG horses (not to mention a 6 figure hanovarian - we smoked him!)" Lottie finished the year ranked by USEF as 16th in the medium greens in Zone 4 and 26th in the same division nationally! She also recieved an ACPS bronze medal in hand and an Award of Excellence in hunter. |
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): ~ 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: 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. ~ 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. 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! June 3 ~ From *Caragh
Gaoithe's (Henkka's) breeder in Finland: 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. 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. |
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: 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: |
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: 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: 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 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.
August, 2005
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.
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".
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!
June, 2005
June ~ Loughin's Leighseach has a filly by Mick at Fiona
Rhodes' Crosswinds Connemaras.
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.
May, 2005
May 30
~ Avenn's Arin Grey Dove has a purebred filly at Crosswinds
Connemaras in Carp Ont.
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!
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.
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.
January, 2005
January
31 ~ Lambing season starts with a single black ram from Heather II, a
Romney ewe.
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. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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
April
13 ~ *Scottsway Lullaby has a bay colt, Elphin Skylark.
April, 2004
April
20 ~ SP Mils Breaban has a dun colt, Elphin Amharach.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
May, 2003
Avenn's Cayley Windsong,
GB, had a nice bay colt. He's been named Epona's Aidan.
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.
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!
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): 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).
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!
"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."
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 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).
February, 2003
February 18 ~ Check out the
new pages for Surprise/Minnie,
Birdie
and Sparrow
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 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!
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.
December, 2002 |
Merry
Christmas from all
of us at Elphin Mountain Farm!
December 6 ~ Sparrow leaves
for Michigan. Check out Mick on the web (a professional photographer's page)! |
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.
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.
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!
October, 2002
October 25 ~ Not Connemara
news, but I passed my Canadian Equestrian Federation/Equine Canada
Level 1 Coaching exam.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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...
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!
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
March, 2002
March 20 ~ Mae and her
filly Macie arrive from Vermont. Mae will be rebred to Mick for a 2003
foal.
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
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!
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!
January, 2002
January 11 ~ Elphin
Chickadee arrives in Georgia to meet her new owners, Jay and Rai
Pullin.
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 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.
November, 2001
We've been on the web for a
year!
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.
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.
September, 2001 |
September 29 ~ Elphin
Sassafras leaves for her new home with Bev Wannamaker of Ayr, Ontario
(near Cambridge). Sassie handled the 5 hour trailer ride like an old
pro! Bev plans on doing dressage with her new pony. We wish them the
best of luck.
September 23 ~ Elphin Odin won the USCTA Beginner Novice Championship for Area IV! Proud mom Barb Pooley writes about her daugher Andria and Odie: "This past weekend we went to the Silverwood Farm Horse Trials (outside of Chicago) and Andria and Cody competed in the USCTA Beginner Novice Championship for Area IV. They were first after dressage with a 31, went clean on cross country and stadium so they won the championship! It was wonderful even though it poured buckets for the stadium jumping. This was just their 2nd recognized horse trial so we weren't at all sure how it would go but obviously it went very well." Congrats to Odie! See Odie's page for photos. September 17 ~ Elphin Dubheasa sold to Patti Sullivan of Vermont. Vessie will remain with us for a few more months, until she is weaned. September 2 ~ Mick competed
in and won the Training Level Division of the National Capital Horse
Trials Association Championships hosted by Rocking Horse Stable!!! He
had a very steady dressage test to put him in first and then went clear
cross country, despite a very tricky and hilly course! This was only
his third training level, so we were ecstatic with his results! |
August, 2001 |
August 26 ~ Elphin Celtic
Festival returns home after 5 years with the Greenburg family in
Ottawa! Deciding they loved Celtie too much to sell her, but as
Celtie's rider and trainer, Martha, was moving to Newfoundland, the
Greenburgs returned Celtie to us. Celtie has competed as a
hunter/jumper, but the current plan is to do a few events with her next
year, and sell her on as an eventer. So, if you're looking for an
15.3hh, 8 year old Conn/TB mare, who is adept over fences but requires
an experienced rider, let us know.
August 12 ~ Mick competed at the Ontario Training Championships at Canterdown Horse Trials. He was 3rd out of 24 after dressage, once again being the only pony, the only Connemara and the only stallion competing in his division! A couple of stops cross country, on what was said to be one of the toughest training level course ever built, put us out of the ribbons. Nonetheless, for his second training level event we were very happy with the results! See the photos here. August 10 ~ Ceb took a trip to Papilaro Farm to school over some cross country fences. He was a very good boy, on his best behaviour and jumped everything! |
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! 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. |
April, 2001 |
April
26 ~ Dee foaled! Elphin Turlough is a handsome dark bay colt who will
turn grey. Turly was born on a Thursday morning, and since his
grandmother's name was Gold Friday and his mother's name means
Beautiful Friday in Gaelic, we decided to name him in relation to the
day Thursday. Of course the first thing that came to mind was Thor, and
upon looking in our Irish name book we discovered that Turlough means
"in the image of Thor", and thus he was named! Photos to come.
April 21 ~ Abby foaled! Elphin Chickadee is a beautiful bay filly with star and 2 hind socks. Like all Abby's babies, Chickadee is as sweet as can be and super curious. Photos to come. We received news that Mick's half sister Blue Bird's Merrie Chase (*Bobby Brown x *Abbeyleix Bluebird) won the Virginia Hunter Paris Series of 2001. With rider Alex Elliot and partner Linda Sautter and her pony, Merrie travelled the entire state, competing almost every weekend since late February. The pairs are required to jump courses of 3'3" to 3'9", against an optimum time and over rough terrain. Congrats to Merrie! April 7 ~ Sun Dancin Bear, our new TB broodmare arrived! Sun is a very well bred mare, tracing back to Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, Double Jay, Hyperion, Bull Lea, Tom Fool and Princequillo. She also raced, earning $30, 000 US, and had some TB foals, so we hope Sun will have some nice eventer prospect babies for us. Our site has been on line for 6 months now, here's to the internet! The ECCPA meeting was successful, with a large turnout; some goals for the ECCPA over the summer are a website, brochure and breed show. Thanks to to the Doners for their wonderful hospitality! |
March, 2001 |
March
21 ~ Elphin Celtic Cross left for Vermont with his new owners.
March 18 ~ We bought a Thoroughbred broodmare, Sun Dancin Bear! Sun will arrive at Elphin Mountain Farm sometime in the spring. March 2 ~ Elphin Celtic Cross sold. Cross will be joining his full brother Elphin Dublin Ball in Vermont some time in the spring. Dubbie's new owners, Bruce Brink and Patti Sullivan, decided he was so great they just had to have another Conn/TB! Hopefully Patti's TB mare Mae will have a nice Mick baby next year, so they will have 3 Conn/TBs! There will be a meeting of the Eastern Canada Connemara Pony Association on March 17th. Location is Rick Doner's Century Hill Farm, Beaverton Ontario. For more information, contact Rick at doner@on.aibn.com, or Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com. Happy St. Patrick's Day! |
February, 2001 |
Feb.
26 ~ We did a lot of horse swapping: Dubbie left to travel south of the
border, and loaded well, even though it was very icy. Dubbie had a
travelling companion in the form of his half sister, Fawn a 3 year old
filly by Mick out of a Saddlebred mare. Fawn, name changed to Spark,
was purchased from the Mackay family by Bruce Brink. Patti left her TB mare, Mae, bred by American eventer Denny Emerson, with us for the spring to be bred to Mick. Feb. 17 ~ Birdie left for her new home, Wyndridge Farm; she loaded easily, despite having never been on a trailer! Birdie will be missed by her human and horse friends at Elphin Mountain Farm! Elphin Dublin Ball sold to Bruce Brink and Patti Sullivan in Vermont , as an eventing prospect for Patti's daughter Emily. Dubbie will be making the journey southward in mid-February, weather permitting. There will be a meeting of the Eastern Canada Connemara Pony Association on March 17th. Location is Rick Doner's Century Hill Farm, Beaverton Ontario. For more information, contact Rick at doner@on.aibn.com, or Heather Sherratt at elphin@superaje.com. |
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! |
Elphin
Lorcan
sold to Brian Donegan of Drogheeda Farm, Calgary Alberta, as a stallion
prospect.
November, 2000
Our
stallion's dam, *Abbeyleix
Bluebird, wins the ACPS Hall of Fame
Broodmare Award.
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