Twenty five nominations for election to the CPBS Council have been received  as follows:   Connacht Kevin Bolger, Ballyconneely Co. Galway Noel Brett, Belmullet, Co. Mayo PJ Burke, Oughterard, Co. Galway Séan Carey, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Gearóid Curran, Moycullen, Co. Galway Mossie T. Joyce, Aran Islands, Co. Galway Patrick Keaney, Cashel, Co. Galway Michael Laffey, Cleggan, Co. Galway Jerry Mahon, Abbeyknockmoy, Co. Galway Eamon McDonagh, Rosscahill. Co. Galway Jim Mullaney, Moycullen, Co. Galway Keith Murray, Four-Mile-House, Co. Roscommon Peter J. O’Malley, Carraroe, Co. Galway Dermot Power, Salthill, Galway Frank Quinn, Ardrahan, Co. Galway   Leinster Noel Farrell, Navan, Co. Meath Patrick Geoghegan, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow Carol Henley, Athy, Co. Kildare Denise Norton, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare Alan Woods, Arklow, Co. Wicklow   Munster Joan Dahill, Lismore, Co. Waterford Nancy O’Connell, Kanturk, Co. Cork Andrew O’Donoghue, Kilfenora, Co. Clare   Ulster Philip Morgan, Virginia, Co. Cavan   Each candidate was given the option to inform members why they are seeking election to the Council of the CPBS. The following candidates chose to:   Philip Morgan (Ulster) “I wish to be elected to the Council so I can help bring around a change for the better for this wonderful breed. I strongly feel both in-hand and performance should have equal representation and I will endeavour to do so”.   Nancy O’Connell (Munster) “Kanturk, Co. Cork is where I live and am interested in the breeding of performance Connemara ponies. Am a member of the CPBS and Treasurer of the Southern Connemara Pony Breeders’ Group. To represent the breeders/owners of the Munster region would be a challenge and in my view an opportunity not to be missed. The only way for change is to vote”.   Joan Dahill (Munster) “I feel my vast knowledge and involvement with all things equestrian would help me make a very positive contribution to the Council if elected. For over twenty years I have bred and exhibited Connemara ponies, Glencairn ponies have won in Clifden, RDS and most other Irish shows. Irish Pony Club – DC of West Waterford Pony Club for three years and committee member for 16. Founder member and current secretary of Southern Connemara Pony Group. Secretary of Blackwater Carriage Driving Group. Member of SJI and IHB. Camphire International horse Trials – fence judge”.   Alan Woods (Leinster) “I am seeking election to the Council as a breeder of Connemara ponies to see if I could help the Connemara in every way I can. As a breeder myself I have ten class 1 mares and a Class 1 Grade A showjumping stallion”.   Orla Igoe (Leinster) “A unique opportunity exists for fresh thinking. Original ideas having modern global context. I cannot ignore and see it misrepresented / mismanaged and run into the ground. It has been underdeveloped and shackled by nonsense. A shared solution through connectivity / networking”.   Séan Carey (Connacht) “Myself and my family run Creagh Equestrian Centre in Ballinasloe. I have been breeding Connemara ponies for many years. If elected I would like to introduce a grading system for 3 year old fillies, where mares would be loose jumped over a fence and given a grade and this would be recorded on the passport. Older performance mares would then be given a grade also if they had SJI points or dressage / eventing points. Hopefully this would be grant aided”.   Jerry Mahon (Connacht) “First elected to CPBS Council in November 2014. My primary objective was to bring about change. I chaired the constitutional review group and presented amendments to constitution at EGM in July 2015. Amendments were passed by membership. I ask you now for your support to continue the process of change in the CPBS. Thank you”.   Eamon McDonagh (Connacht) “I continue the family tradition of breeding prize winning ponies. I am a member of the committee that drew up the new articles of association and bye laws. My vision is to continue the successful and fair implementation of the new constitution”.   Noel Brett (Connacht) “I am seeking re-election to the Council for another term. Since my election, I have helped to make change for the better of the Society, member and pony. Please give me a no. 1 to continue the change”.   Michael Laffey (Connacht) “I am seeking re-election to the Council for another term. Since my election, I have helped to make change for the better of the Society, member and pony. Please give me a no. 1 to continue the change”.   Jim Mullaney (Connacht) “Since my election in 2013 I have taken an active part in all discussions and served on the breeding, inspections and Marketing committees. I am currently working on a linear profile training course for Inspectors and look forward to continuing this work if elected”.   PJ Burke (Connacht) “I wish to work for our pony breeders, members and above all the pony. We need a working Council so if you don’t vote for me then please vote for someone who will work. Thank you”.   Gearóid Curran (Connacht) “I am 13 years on Council. I have always given 110% and if deemed elected I will continue to do so. Thank you”.   Dermot Power (Connacht) “I ask for the opportunity to continue to develop the Society and promote the Connemara pony. It is important to have a vision and plan in place for the next five years. There is a need for better communications”.   Peter J. O’Malley (Connacht) “I’ve been breeding and showing ponies for 30 years. I was on the committee for changing the Memorandum and Articles of Association which was passes by a huge majority. I would be grateful if you would vote for me as I would give 110% commitment to working on the CPBS Council”.   Keith Murray (Connacht) “To promote the performance side of the Connemara pony”.