In May *Belle Dawn, Balmullo’s Liffey Lad, and Balmullo’s Swamp Fox went to the Pony Palooza sponsored by the Southern Welsh Pony Breeders Association.  *Belle Dawn was Champion Mountain and Moorland Pony. Minnie, as *Belle is commonly known, competed against six other Connemaras, New Forest Ponies, and Shetlands in the three and over class and then beat the winner of the 2 and under class (Liffey Lad) for the Championship. Balmullo’s Swamp Fox aka Buddy was 2nd in the 3 and over class and Reserve Champion . Buddy is owned  by Barbara Beckford.

In June the Region 4 ACPS show was held in Florida and many of our ponies attended.  Minnie was first in the older mares class and was the Reserve Champion Connemara.   Minnie was also third in a large Mountain and Moorland Class.  Isabelle was second in her class.  Emma was third in the older mares class and also won the Bulging Buttons class.  Bitsy (Ballencrief Sea Breeze), Morrie (Erin Terra’s Morning Star) and Laddie all showed off their wonderful temperaments in the In-hand Trail Class.

 

In July, Miss Emma and Isabelle made the long trip to the Region 3 show in Virginia.  There Isabelle took a third out of 8 in the Filly division of the Yearling Futurity.  Miss Emma’s granddaughter, Guthrie Bonnies China Blue, was the first place winner and Champion yearling .   Emma was second in her class and much admired by all participants.  She was also awarded the prize for the oldest pony competing in the Half-Century, Ltd. class where the combined age of pony and rider must be over fifty. 

left to right: China Blue (Landgate Bluebeard x Balmullo's Miss Lucy) with granddam, Balmullo's Miss Emma.

Fernvale Matchmaker was first in the colt division of the futurity. 

In the leadline class, Emma’s rider, Summer Fraughnaugh, was awarded the prize for the youngest rider.

Emma is now living in Virginia with Summer and her family and friend Jimmy aka Chesapeake Bay.

In August 7, Wildwych Clio, on loan from Rai Pullen of Georgia, gave birth to a beautiful bay filly, Balmullo’s Uproar.  Uproar, aka Daisy, is by Roaringwater Bay. 

Also in August, Michelle Haas, Balmullo’s Gallagher and Tre Awain Dare to Dream all came for an extended visit.  Michelle is doing art work with John Tilton, potter, and also training Liffy Lad and Mr. Peeps.  (read what Mr. Peeps thinks of his training in his Diary).  Laddie is progressing at a rapid rate, already walking and trotting very quietly under saddle (photo below).

At the Region 4 show, held in conjunction with the Southern Welsh Pony Association, the half-Welsh daughter of Balmullo’s Matilda was the Champion Half-bred.  (Click here to see complete show results)

Balmullo’s Galileo and Balmullo’s Wind River, both owned by Pat Cunningham, went to the Region 7 Show outside of St. Louis.  Leo was first in the geldings class while “Wally” was third .  However, in the In-hand trail class, Wally showed his true stuff and came home with the blue ribbon.  He also was in the costume class. 

Balmullo’s Gallagher, a stallion owned by Michelle Haas, was the purebred Hunter Champion at the same show. 

At the Region 3 show, perennial contenders Susan Hearn and daughter Mattison Hearn-Desautelles, competed Susan’s Balmullo’s Billy Elliott and Mattison's Balmullo’s Katydid.  Both went home with many ribbons and Katy was awarded the prestigious Another Notch Award for being the pony that exhibited the most Connemara-like characteristics including jumping ability and saintly disposition.