We are so thrilled that we were able to purchase this lovely pony stallion to be the sire of future Hollymead Connemara foals. Seamus, at 14 hands, is perfectly proportioned with eight inches of bone, large solid hooves, and lovely balanced self carriage. When I met his breeder, Cynthia Sisto, I knew that we had made the right choice as Cynthia has a life long history with the Connemara breed.

Seamus passed his ACPS inspection in October 2009. He received excellent remarks from the inspectors. His bloodlines include a special pony mare that I had visited many years ago in NY. Her name was Hideaway's Smitheranne and she was owned by Marianne Alexander, who also imported his paternal grandsire, Rosenaharley Laurens ( the sire of Greystone Adirondack A'Herne) from the Rosenaharley Stud in England. There are lovely pictures of Seamus's sire, Greystone Adirondack A'Herne, on the Hidden Meadows Farm website.  http://www.hiddenmeadowfarmsporthorses.com/wst_page2.html

Seamus has a great work ethic. We are finding that the more we ask of him the more he wants to give us. Michelle Haas ( shown riding Seamus in this picture) has been working with Seamus in preparation of going to shows this year.

Seamus went to his first show this April. We were very proud of him.

Seamus's dam, Loughrea's Lioch is by the well known Connemara stallion, Chiltern Colm. Lioch's dam was a lovely traditional type Connemara pony named Maeve. My dear friend, Liz Freeman DVM, has had an article on her website for years that uses "Maeve" as an example of the reason we need to be preserving traditional genes rather than always trying to improve upon nature. What a surprise to find out that Seamus's maternal grand dam is the same Maeve that Caroline Nesbitt wrote about in her article. The link is below the picture if you would like to read this interesting article.

This photo is courtesy of Cyndy Sisto.

http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/articles/issue12/12nesbitt_theoldsort.htm

Michelle Haas has been riding with us on hunter paces and trail rides. She is a talented rider and Seamus loves to have her work with him. We are hoping that Michelle will ride Seamus in a future Connemara show.

Our team of Connemara ponies love riding cross country. In this picture Seamus leads the group home at a canter.

Seamus enjoys getting out of the arena for his rides.

Michelle is schooling Seamus while at the Carolina Welsh Show in this picture.

Michelle brought over her stallion show bridle to try on Seamus. We decided it was a bit big on him but he looked lovely wearing it. Cyndy, his breeder, said it makes him look like an Irish Prince. I agree!