Welcome to the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society Centenary page. Here, we proudly present a dedicated space to commemorate our momentous 100-year anniversary. This page will serve as your go-to resource for all the latest news, exciting events, and insightful updates related to this milestone occasion. As we take a nostalgic journey through the past century, we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments, exponential growth, and groundbreaking innovations that have shaped our society. We are thrilled to share this special moment with our valued members & breeders and look forward to engaging you in our joyous celebrations. Together, let us reflect on our heritage and embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Click here to download our Celebration Pamphlet.
Click here to download our Centenary Brochure.
REMEMBERING MICHAEL O’MALLEY | 27th MAY
On Saturday May 27th, join the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society in remembering Michael O’Malley in his home place of Rosmuc, Co. Galway. Instrumental in the promotion and conservation of the Connemara Pony and a founding member of the CPBS, a commemorative plaque will be unveiled in Michael O’Malley’s honour. Taking place at 1pm there will be refreshments served in the Rosmuc Community Centre after the unveiling. Free to attend and open to all.
We look forward to celebrating the contribution that Michael O’Malley has had on the breed and the Society as a whole with you. Details on location & eircode below.
Born in Rosmuc in 1884 Michael trained as vet at the University of Veterinary profession. A man of many interests he was a bee-keeper, an amateur photographer and a founder of the Irish College in Rosmuc. He was truly passionate about all things and products from his Connemara homeland and Connemara pony itself.
In June 1912, he set off from his home village in the west of Ireland village accompanied by Joe Walsh, leading a 4-year-old grey stallion ‘Irish Dragoon’ and a 6-year-old cream mare ‘Eileen Alanna’. The goal was to present these ponies as an example of the Connemara pony breed as part of ‘The Parade of Types of British & Continental Horses & Ponies’ at Olympia, London. A journey today gauged at 870 kms was made on foot, train and boat from the wilds of Connemara to the heart of thriving London to one of the most prestigious equestrian events of the British calendar. O’Malley’s desire was to ‘show as many people as possible the best pony in the world’. This journey would ignite a fire to preserve and develop Ireland’s native pony breed.
Twelve years would pass between the journey to Olympia before the coming together of local Irish Connemara breeders to officially form the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society. Over that period O’Malley penned a series of letters outlining his concerns and the actions he would like taken to preserve this pony breed. In December 1923, a public meeting was held under the auspices of the Galway County Committee of Agriculture and the Department of Lands and Agriculture, to form a society for the preservation and improvement of the Connemara pony.The first committee took the initial steps at that inaugural meeting.