Seamus is the king of our hill!

He was our first Connemara, purchased in 2002. Technically, I should say he picked us - when he and our youngest daughter Gracie fell in love. They are true soul mates - the perfect picture of a girl and her pony. While sometimes a "punk" for the rest of the family,  Seamus is the picture of perfection for Grace - he'll stand and let her clean his feet and comb his forelock for hours.

Seamus has been brought along slowly, not worked under saddle until the fall of his fourth year. His first ride was out on the trail and he was a model citizen - a testimony to the wonderful Connemara pony.

In 2006, he was ridden by Erin Smith, a Northern Mines Pony Clubber. They were high point winners at their first dressage show (70.47% in Intro Test B) and have won numerous first and second place ribbons at local schooling shows. They started jumping in the summer and Seamus found his "calling" - he loves to run and jump! Erin and Seamus  made their Eventing debut at Eventful Acre’s "Juniors Over Jumps". They placed first in their Elementary division with a 36% after dressage, a clean stadium round, and 4 penalty points cross country -  due to "human error" (Erin and I can't tell time!).

In 2007, Seamus spent the summer and Fall with the Zufelt family in Davis, under trainer Laura Powell's direction. Seamus was well cared for and well loved by all the Zufelts and once again participated in Juniors over Jumps. He returned home in late 2007.

In 2008, Seamus will continue his training with Erin, Emily and the many pony clubbers who love his devilish personality and fun ride. He will appear at the M&M classes at Brookside, Juniors Over Jumps, and the Celtic Festival. In the Fall, Emily will take over the reins full time.

Photos courtesy of (1)(3) Schessler Equine Photography (2) Free Rayn Photography