Native Pony People.

Name
Susan Clarke.

Stud Name
Glenormiston (Queensland, Australia).

Breeder
Connemara Ponies.

Author
Articles accepted for many Native Pony publications.

Current / Former panel judge
Current CPBSA panel judge.

Society / Rank
Life member and committee member CPBSA.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
As a child I admired a photo of Connemara Ponies in a Glenda Spooner book, (Heather's Own and Golden Arrow, and that dates me). I dreamed about owning one, there were none in this country at that time. I bred our first partbred Connemara foal in 1974. We bought our first Purebred Connemara Pony in 1975, and imported our first mares (Macaroon of Calmore and Washland's Rebecca from the UK) in 1976.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
Yes, our 4 stallions.

Domo Cavallo Praize, a Connemara stallion bred in Australia from Irish and English stock who lived at Glenormiston for 30 years until his death in June this year. A special pony who 'did everything',
he was ridden by both children and adults. He was a brilliant performance pony.

Abbeyleix Finbar, as he was a real charcter as well as a very lovely Conemara pony. He has had a big influence on the Connemara Pony in Australia, many of our best broodmares at Glenormiston are sired by him.

Oxenholm Gideon, a dun stallion we imported from Denmark as a 4 year old. He was a real gentleman and a very classical old style Connemara pony.

Castle Baron, imported from Ireland as a 2 year old and full brother to Castle Comet, Castle Countess and Castle Urchin - all Clifden Champions. This pony is our most successful Connemara pony ever in the showring, and a wonderful 'person'. Sadly he doesn't do enough under saddle as our children are grown up and gone, we now live in a too remote location to easily find riders for him.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
Judging at one of the wettest Clifden shows ever!

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
Retaining type for each particular breed.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
Small children showing their ponies, as this is what ponies are all about.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
Retaining temperament, type and bone.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
Seeing a healthy foal come into the world - nothing can beat it. Exporting our ponies to the USA and Germany.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
It's the name of our property.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
Castle Baron winning Supreme Pony of the Show, against all other breeds of pony, for 4 years in a row with 4 or 5 judges (different each year). A difficult feat to achieve in a country dominated by Australian Ponies, Welsh Ponies and Shetlands.

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?
Marble (now dead) or Hazy Dawn (in his 20's).

11) Can you recommend a good Native Pony book?
For Connemara enthusiasts, the series, Shrouded in Mist, Reflections through the Mist, and Out of the Mist, by Pat Lyne.

Breeder information at: Glenormiston Connemaras