Native Pony People.

Name
Madeleine Beckman.

Stud Name
Carnaby.

Breeder
Connemara Ponies.

Current / Former panel judge
International judge of Connemaras and Shetlands.
Fully approved Swedish Judge & Inspector for all pony breeds.

Society / Rank
Secretary of the Swedish Connemara Pony Society Stud Book, since 1975.

Author Of
'Connemara', detailing Connemara Pony breeding in Ireland and Sweden (NB: written in Swedish).
Articles for Swedish magazines covering pony breeding and sports.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
In 1965 I learnt to know and ride the Gotland Ponies, ('Russ' in Swedish), who lived in my neighbourhood.
Their owner was a vet; one of Swedens earliest pony enthusiasts and judges. They have been my mentor ever since. The first pony of my own was the Connemara pony filly, Mollans Picina, (Värnbergs Castor x Atlantic Treasure by Atl Storm), bought in 1977.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
Our home bred Connemara stallion, Carnaby Patrick Hooligan, with whom I have had a special relation since he was only a few minutes old, in 1992.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
Judging Connemara Ponies at Clifden Show, Ireland, and inspecting Gotland Ponies in their original herd living on the Lojsta Moor, Gotland Island. Both are ultimate commissions for any native pony judge, and very happy moments in my life.

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony breeding today?
There are too many overweight ponies shown successfully today in Native Pony Classes.
The breeding of natural beauty must be awarded before obesity.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
When an exhibitor looks very happy and proud, even though they have not won their class.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of Connemara pony breeding today?
The typical Connemara pony must have an outstanding working ability, including good movements. This has been of great importance through the history of the breed; it is still the hallmark of the true Connemara Pony.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
The Swedish Connemara Pony Breed Show in 1987, where three out of nine ponies in the 'Best in Show' ring were Carnaby bred. Our stallion, Carnaby Patrick Hooligan, was Supreme Champion, Carnaby Kajsa Kavat was Champion mare and placed third, (the stallion Dale Haze stood second), and our third qualifier was the two year old colt Carnaby Willie Diamond. It was even more precious to me as the ponies represented each one of our three foundation mares. A great moment for a small stud!

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
Our former place was called Röss-by, as there were many cairns in the area. 'Röse' is a Swedish word for 'cairn', and cairn is 'Carna' in Gaelic. Carna-by was then the result of a play on words.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
See 7!

10) If you could wave a magic wand and have any pony brought to your yard; be it past, present or future, who would it be?
The stallion, Cannon Ball, Number 1 in the Irish Connemara Pony Stud Book. He must have been both beautiful and useful, and had quite a personality.

11) Can you recommend a good pony book?
The Stud Books of the Native breed you are breeding. You will not get along as a breeder without them.

12) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Always remember that you do not own your Native Ponies.
You borrow them from your descendants; they have the right to see their originality maintained.

Breeder information at: www.carnabyconnemara.se