Cumann uct CapaifEini Clionamara

Connemara Pony Breeders' Society

The Showgrounds, Clifden Co. Galway
Tel. +353 (0)95 21863 Fax. +353 (0)95 21005

e-mail:
enquiries@cpbs.ie

31/3/15
Mr Noel Brett
Corclough East
Belmullet
Co. Mayo
.1

.~
Re: CPBS Council Meeting
Dear Noel
The next meeting of the Council of the CPBS will be held on Monday 13th April 2015
at Dartfie1d Horse Museum and Heritage Centre, Loughrea, Co. Galway at 7.30pm.
Agenda

L Dr. Jack Murphy - Inspection Review

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Adoption of Minutes
Matters arising from Minutes
Sub Committee reports
Membership
President's Address
Correspondence
A.O.B.

Yours sincerely

Niamh Philbin
Secretary

...

'",

Directors: Tom MaeLochlainn(President), Jim Mullaney (Vice-President), John Varley (Vice-President) ,Padraic Heanue
(Treasurer), John Riordan (Hon. Secretary), Jane Andrews, Kevin Bolger , Noel Brett, Ciaran Curran, Gear6id Curran,
Padraic Hynes, Mr. Mossie Joyce, Patrick Keaney, Michael Laffey, Jerry Mahon, Keith Murray, Andy O'Donoghue,
Pierce O'Malley, Dermot Power, Frank Quinn.
A company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital.
Registered Office Clifden, Co. Galway
Chy No: 5864
Registered in Dublin, Ireland No.: 17849

Draft Mission Statement

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society is committed to support its members to
establish the Connemara Pony as the world's premier pony for sport and
recreation through the provision of services of the highest standards of
excellence, and to act in the best interests of its members and its affiliated
Societies throughout the world

The words studbook, protect and foster were mentioned for possible inclusion .

.~.
.'

--

Connemara Pony Breeders' Society

Short Term Plan

Promotion of Performance Ponies

The CPBS plans to introduce a number of new competitions
alongside performance

competitions

ponies in 2015 to run

for performance

already in place. We are keen to expand this sector and it is

expected this will open new markets for Connemara ponies and ~jll\encourage
saddle on their pony and start competing them.
New Competitions

th

29

pony owners to put a

;~~,"-,

March 2015

Venue: The Showgrounds,

Clifden, Co. Galway

,
1.IOm Showjumping

Competition

for Class One:C(innemara

Stallions

Aim: To give stallion owners the 0PPO,I1Uility to promote.;a,nd,:shoWtase performance .stallions.

';;;;1i;':;'1::~;~h;:;::});:'

Prize Fund of l000.

..;',

:,:'

..

':~~>~ ;~~:-~
,
Ridden Class for Class One Connemara si~lIions
Aim: To promote ridd~~~tJ'~:~~~a,ra Statllonsand

.~:~:~'~T'

Prize Fund of 450.

, "

todi~play

th'e;yersatility

'

of the Connemara Pony .

.::~~::;

.~
.
New Competitions

~:~~t~II~"
"~;~:~:~~~:~~'

These competitions

will run as part o(the

Connemara Pohy Show on the Wednesday of Show week

with the aim of enhancing the Connemara Pony Show by attracting

competitors

increased numbers of ponies,

and spectators.
,I>

Loose Jumping Final for Four Year Old Connemara

Mares

~
Aim: To provide an incentive to owners to consider competing mares in performance
Prize Fund of l000.

classes.

Showjumping Competition for Five Year Old Connemara Ponies

Prize Fund of lS00.

Feasibility Study re: Indoor Arena

There is no indoor arena in Connemara. Some parts of Connemara are sixty miles from an indoor
arena. The CPBSfeels an indoor arena would be of huge benefit to pony owners as it would allow
them to train year
round and would also afford the CPBSthe cpportunltv to run competitions during
.~,
the Winter. As Connemara is a huge region a feasibility stlJd::~ould have to be carried out to
QI

,';;:;::>~;;:'

identify the best location for an indoor and also to ascertaiH.J~~:;~iabilityof one. The cost of carrying
out this feasibility study would be 4390.

" ":""

Hoof Wall Separation Disease

The CPBSwishes to encourage all b~!'1~dersto test tJl:~ir:~Rf;~~,~i,~g
stock. Currentl~:,the test is only
available through UC Davis in the u~1{~~:~~~tates
at a co~t';~;~;~'5
approx. Although this disease is of
huge concern to breeders, once the g~~~i~r~:::ia~~~~tt~d
it can:C~~:~~e~ily
managed. Weatherbys hope to
have this test available in late 2015. However th:i~;~~:ea,ns
anotMb?reeding season will have passed
by. The CPBSwould Iik~4~:;:fl:tndpart of thls.test fo/br..eeqer:s t6 ,d~monstrate the importance of it
and to encourage bree:~~Y~l6'~~:~iI.,pf
it .

. :_~-7::~r~

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Educ,i~il~;1:;4~~i~:{~'~L':;~:'il'r~.
The CP.SS;;plansto run a~:'ef;ld ofY,Et~f-:,.conferencefocusing on education. The conference would
include

~Jir~s.
such as deve;j~p.lnga VJ~~idwide strategy for HWSD,findings of review committees,

marketing ~:X~~p'J~motion.It i~:;~~~i:mated

't~'iswould cost SOOO,including hiring a venue, advertising
. r;::,
."::~~;;;~~;;~~ -:;~:::-

and guest speak~Ii~~:c,

Marketing

'~~"i'

& Promotio'n

"

There is a large supply of Connemara ponies in Ireland at the moment and new markets must be
identified. A number of sales yards hold dedicated Connemara pony sales including Clifden, Cavan
and Goresbridge. The CPBSwould ideally like to be in a position to offer financial support to these
organisations in their marketing efforts. We also offer them supportin terms of online marketing.

The Connemara Pony Elite SalesGroup ran its first elite performance sale in 2014. The sale is run by
a group of volunteers and its objective is to raise the profile of the Connemara pony. The group is
running three qualifiers for ponies during April and the Salewill be held in Clifden on the
2

is" of May.

The format will be similar to the Goresbridge Go for Gold Sale. We would like to be in a position to
offer the CPESG{SOOOfunding towards the marketing and promotion

of their sale.

Arena Party Training

The CPBS hosts a number of events annually including inspections,

the Connemara

Pony Festival,

Connemara Pony Spring Festival, Connemara Pony Christmas show and education clinics. We feel we
should have a trained arena party who would steward at these events. It is proposed to train a group
of ten people.

Connemara Pony Breeders' Society

long Term Plan
Breed Improvement

Programme

The CPBSis committed to breed improvement within the Connemara Pony population. Ponies are
classified according to their merits at inspections. An independent review committee, chaired by Dr.
Jack Murphy, has recently been formed to examine all areas of Classification and inspections. It is
expected this review will be completed by early June 2015.
We plan to embark on an Inspectors training course similar to,tn~brun by Horse Sport Ireland and to
",~:>:,<;;::c

put a panel of inspectors in place for five years. It is estimat~d;;~~rs:""illcost (15,000.

;;~::;::::<;~~:
.. '~<:~~:~

,
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Showgrounds Development
As the Connemara Pony Show continues to grow, the GPBSplaq::tcfinvest (200,000 in developing the
Showground's over the next ten years~<lhefirst stage ~fthis;tie~~iopment will be the construction of

(9~~~2~~~
'1h,etoilet

new toilets at an estimated cost of

toilets for people with disabilities.':'

,',

"~~;<;:.

blo'c~:;0v~uldincorporate changing rooms and

",,~>

The CPBSintends to purc;ha,~~;i,a_<_set

of showj-4~ps, mo'biJ~,r:iflgSid~"~~alit:lg,and new judges boxes. It
is also planned to co~s,tr~~t~:'~~:;a.nJ~
Commerit~r,y ~Q~-an(jt'():~\JiJda'D~rbytype bank.
We feel it is importa:~t~~l~~ttheel~:~!~~~
and peoPI~:;;jth disabilities are encouraged and supported by
:~:~~~;::~:~
~~~:{~:::

the CPBS~n9,~.~_hopeto D~ll;g:,a!:!,2~~J;~~JJ~are~

fdr;~~~sepeople where there would be seating,
refresh;m~~~f~;~m~~~~:~~r~
toir~~~~~~iiH~~';~;::::;~:;::~;:'::l;i;;;:.;
"" \,;;,
currJ;~~!~;!~eCPBSo~';~~~~~:~;:~ta~;mf~j~~~f
twent~MJf ponies at the Showgrounds. Almost 600 ponies
compet~:~~bJ:)eConnemara:;;B~hY
sho~~iJ~~~efield adjacent to the showground's is purchased it is
hoped to 16Bij~;t;.thepossibilit:::':" uildi~~~!~bles.
";;;;;;~\~~~L;

"::~ll~~;

~;:~~:::'i~~.~<:;~:~~;~t
Development

of arnlhdbor Arena

.~.a~:::~.:~:,

As mentioned earlier this will depend on the feasibility study.

Centenary Celebration
In 2023 the CPBSwill celebrate its

ioo" anniversary. This is a huge milestone and creates an

excellent marketing opportunity for the CPBS.It is planned to involve our sixteen daughter societies
in the celebrations and it will give Irish Tourism a huge boost, The full year will be dedicated to

celebrating the Connemara pony. Planning is at a very early stage but we would hope to secure
significant funding for this. Celebrations may include the opening of a visitor centre in Clifden.

-'

Connemara Pony Breeders' Society

Council Meeting Minutes 9/3/15
Venue: Westwood House Hotel, Newcastle, Galway @7.30pm
Attendance:
Mr. Tom MacLochlainn (President), Mr. Jim Mullaney (Vice-President), Mr. Padraic
Heanue (Treasurer), Mr. John Riordan (Hon. Secretary), Mr. Noel Brett, Mr. Ciaran Curran, Mr.
Gear6id Curran, Mr. Pat rick Keaney, Mr. Michael Laffey, Mr. Jerry Mahon, Mr. Keith Murray,
Andy Q'Donoghue, Mr. Pierce Q'Malley, Mr. Dermot Power, Mr. Frank Quinn
Also in Attendance:
Apologies:

Mr.

Ms. Niamh Philbin (Secretary)

Ms. Jane Andrews, Mr. Mossie Joyce, Mr. John Varley

Order of Business

.~
The President opened the meeting and said Mr. Joyce had requested putting the tape recorder on
the agenda but it was accidentally omitted and he asked the Council to include it on the agenda. This
was agreed.
"
A vote of sympathy was extended to the families of Deirdre Scott, Patrick Walsh, Mrs. Heffernan and
Robert Putz.
Adoption

of Minutes

The adoption of minutes was proposed by Mr. Q'Malley and seconded by Mr. Mullaney.
Matters Arising from Minutes
Mr. Brett asked are there any safeguards in place this year in relation to inspections. Mr. Mullaney
said the inspectors in 2014 did a good job and-that he felt Mr. Brett was making an allegation that
something was done wrong. Mr. Brett said he would have a suspicion and was told the week before
Mullingar inspections that a pony would be failed. Mr. Mullaney said you can't tie innuendo and
rumours to fact and everything was above board. Mr. Quinn asked was Mr. Mullaney happy with
what happened to two particular ponies. The President said individual ponies cannot be discussed.
Mr. Mullaney said he was happy with how the inspections were carried out.
Mr. MacLochlainn said a stand at the Royal Cornwall show was mentioned
is too late to book a stand.
The Secretary said she contacted
their Studbook rules.
Sub -Committee

at the last meeting but it

the Swedish Society and they are working with their Ministry on

Reports

Mr. Mahon reported that the Memo and Arts committee have met seven times to date and are now
preparing the first draft of the document which they hope to have ready by April. Mr. Riordan asked
will the draft be circulated in advance of the meeting. Mr. Mahon said it will be put on a screen
during a special meeting and a presentation will be given on it.

Ms. Philbin said the marketing committee met and is planning on conducting on-line research on the
week of the Connemara Pony Festival to see what improvements can be made. The committee are
also working on the Swedish and Danish celebrations and will contact tour operators in these
countries.
The Secretary circulated an up to date Profit and Loss account. Mr. Heanue said memberships are up
slightly on last year, creditors are {28,OOO, debtors are {7000, {4500 of which he hopes to collect.
He said invoices need to come in on time and asked the sub committees to submit budgets.
Mr. Mullaney reported that the inspection committee met on 15/2/15 and it was decided that a
complete fresh look at Inspection Procedures be implemented involving a complete new process
known as Linear Profiling where a panel of 10 or 12 Inspectors would be trained in this system, and
that panel would be used for all Inspections, starting in 20~6 for a period of 5 years. Mr. Mullaney
said a detailed costing budget has been submitted to the DAFM for funding. He said the committee
felt this was a necessary step in operating a modern fit for purpose transparent system and subject
to funding and approval by Council, the training would begin on Saturday 30th May and continue on
three further Saturdays, with a one day refresher course on 20 March 2016 before the inspections
start. It would be envisaged that a further panel would be trained-in
system would also take pedigree into consideration.

the intervening

years and the

Mr. Power said the International committee met and Mr. Heanue had notified Mr. Power that he no
longer wished to participate on the committee. The committee agreed that Mr. Power should act as
Chairman. Mr Jim Mullaney was eo-opted on as a member subject to Council approval. This was
proposed by Mr. Riordan and seconded by Mr. C. Curran. Mr. Power reported that the minutes of the
International
Committee A.G.M. held in August were discussed in detail and the committee
recognized the need to encourage progress and support the daughter Societies. He said it was agreed
to apply for grant aid to assist the SOciety to travel to meet the daughter Societies and it was agreed
that there was a need to seek a comprehensive overview of each Society. Mr. Power added that the
agenda for the Executive meeting at the end of March in Clifden was discussed.
Membership

Applications

Mr. Heanue proposed and Mr. Brett seconded that the new membership
(App. A).

applications

be accepted

Presidents Address
Mr. MacLochlainn said two members have missed three consecutive meetings, Mr. Bolger and Mr.
Varley and it is up to the Council to give special leave. Mr. Heanue proposed they be given special
leave. This was seconded by Mr. a'M~lIey. Mr. Quinn said the rule is a member can only miss three
meetings if they have a doctor's cert. Mr. Riordan asked is Ms. Andrews a resident in Ireland. Mr.
Laffey said she is living in England. Mr. Riordan said she shouldn't be a director if she is a nonresident. It was agreed to write to Ms. Andrews to seek clarification and to seek legal advice on the
matter.

io"

The President informed the meeting that Carol O'Connor will be going on maternity leave on the
of April and interviews had taken place to find a replacement. He suggested that the new person
would start on April
and would have five or six days training before this date. This was proposed

is"

by Mr. Power and seconded by Mr. Riordan. Mr. MacLochlainn

Coyne for conducting the interviews.

thanked Jim Mullaney

and Mary

Mr. MacLochlainn said Claire Commins who previously did work on the database recommended
Tony Hegarty to look at the database, which he did and suggested that he would spend three days in
the office with the staff and draw up a spec which could be used to obtain quotes at a cost of 1200.
Mr. Riordan asked why did the CPBSnot go with the person who had done the HSI database. Mr.
MacLochlainn said there was an annual 10,OOOmaintenance contract attached which the officers
were unsure about. Mr. Power said the person who did the HSI database said to look at the HSI
database and see what is needed and Emer McNamara travelled to HSIto see their database and
said it was good and to go for the same. Mr. Quinn proposed getting Mr. Hegarty to do the spec and
then get three quotes for the database. This was seconded by Mr. Laffey.
The President said there was a slight change to the proposed bus tours and one would now travel
from Ballyconneely to Casheland the other to Letterfrack and Renvyle.

Mr. MacLochlainn told the meeting that Dr. Jack Murphy will attend the Mullingar colt inspections
ad will then attend the next Council meeting for suggestions. He circulated the Irish Draught review
and said the Council may get some ideas from it. Mr. Quinn said ,they will have to broaden the
committee to 15 or 20 people. Mr. MacLochlainn said the Council can put proposals to them. Mr.
Quinn said this is the most important thing in the lifetime of the Connemara pony and he was
proposed and seconded to go on the committee at the last meeting. Mr. Brett said Mr. Q'Malley
suggested the committee contact Mr. Quinn in relation to the proposal he made at the last meeting.
The President said he sent Mr. Quinn's proposal to Dr. Murphy. Mr. MacLochlainn asked if the next
meeting could be held in Loughreato facilitate Dr. Murphy. This was agreed.
The President explained to the Council that the CPBShave a seat on the HSIbreeding sub-board and
the main issues being discussedat the moment are:
-, .

Innovation Fund - a fund for new competitions, the CPBShave applied for funding for a loose
jumping competition for four year old mares and for a showjumping competition for five
year old ponies.
Discussion Groups- groups of fifteen people and a facilitator will be formed for knowledge
transfer schemes and the facilitators will be trained by Teagasc.
Intercity Series- HSIis trying to get showjumping into cities and plan to run competitions in
Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and as part of the Galway leg they hope to include a
Connemara Pony Puissance.Mr. Power suggested running it in Salthill.
Marketing Manager - HSI is currently recruiting a marketing manager to run it's marketing
division modelled on Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

Mr. MacLochlainn said there are currently 27 HSI affiliates and that if the CPBSwas to become
affiliated it may be better placed for funding and accessto the marketing manager. He suggested
inviting Prof. Pat Wall to address the..,Councilin the near future. Mr Mahon proposed this be done
and start to establish a link. This was seconded by Mr. Brett.
The President told the Council that he is travelling to Bunclody on Wednesday to meet with the
South Eastbreeders group.
~
Correspondence
Mr. Mullaney informed the Council that a pony is being exported to the Uk and a private inspection
was carried out on Saturday.

A letter dated from 2/2/15 Mr. Noel Brett was discussed. The President said Mr. Musgrave was
appointed by the Council six or seven years ago. Mr. Brett said the complaint shouldn't have been
investigated by Mr. Musgrave and the procedure wasn't adhered to. Mr. Power said legal advice can
be got on it. Mr. MacLochlainn said he would look into it and get back to Mr. Brett in a week or two.
Mr. Power said he wanted an apology from Mr. Brett. Mr. Brett refused and said while his letter may
have contained inaccuracies it was substantially

correct.

Tape Recorder
Mr. G. Curran proposed

bring back the tape recorder.

This was seconded by Mr. Riordan. Mr.

MacLochlainn said he asked for it to be removed at the first meeting as he wanted to invoke some
trust within the Council. Mr. Brett proposed the tape recorder would not be brought back. This was
seconded by Mr. Laffey. A vote took place by show of hands with the majority voting in favour of Mr .

G. Curran's proposal.
Mission Statement
Mr. MacLochlainn spoke about the need for the CPB$ to have a rnlsslon statement. He said it should
be one sentence outlining what the CPBS is working towards and read out the following example:
He asked Council members to reflect on it and add to it if necessary.
.
Long Term and Short Term Plan
The President told the meeting that he, Mr. Heanue and Ms. Philbin met James Kennedy and Damien
McDonald from HSI in Athlone and went through what the CPBS'h.opes to achieve in the future. He
said long term the CPBS wants to implement a breed improvement programme and the review
committee is the first step in this; upgrade the showgrounds; look at conducting a feasibility study
on the construction of an indoor arena and celebrate the centenary of the CPBS. Short term, Mr.
MacLochlainn said the CPBS plans to introduce new competitions, promote the Connemara pony,
conduct research on HWSD, organise an educational conference, and train an arena party.
Mr. Q'Donoghue said HWSD is not a disease but a genetic fault. Mr. Quinn said you will know what it
is if it is not tested.

Mr. Power said the 2014 PRSIis not included on the profit and loss account. The Secretary explained
it showed as a liability in the 2014 accounts and the 2015 PRSIto date is included on the profit and
loss account circulated.
Mr. Quinn asked what the legal fees .on the accounts are. The Secretary said they relate to Linda
Kavanagh's case.
Mr. Power said the planning permission for the site has been extended.

~
Mr. Mahon asked that a special Council meeting be held for the Memorandum
Mr. Q'Malley suggested this be at a weekend. This was agreed.
~Mr. Riordan asked if a different
G. Curran said yes.

and Articles review.

course builder will be used for the 2015 High Performance final. Mr.

Mr. Brett asked why Class two stallions are not allowed in the performance

classes at the stallion

parade. Mr. MacLochlainn said he is not sure if the classes will go ahead as there are no entries. The
Secretary suggested allowing class two stallions compete in the competitions to increase entries. Mr.
C. Curran suggested running a separate day of showjumping competitions. Mr. MacLochlainn said he
hopes the review committee

will find a fair place for performance

ponies in the studbook.

At the request of the President the Secretary gave details of the upcoming Spring weekend including
colt and filly inspections, a presentation on HWSD, launch of An Capaillfn, the Bartley Q'Sullivan
lecture and the stallion parade. Mr. Heanue said Ms. Sheila Ramsay is attending the HWSD
presentation at her own expense. A discussion took place on HWSD.
Mr. C. Curran asked if the meetings could be changed to 8pm. This was agreed .

There being no further business the meeting was brought to a close.

Signed:

_
Tom MacLochlainn,

Date:

President