Summaries of ACPS Newsletters

Introduction to Summaries of ACPS Newsletters

Our goal with this section of the website is to summarize the content of the American Connemara Pony Society News in the 1970s. This letter-size newsletter, the official publication of the ACPS, consisted of eight to 12 pages, mostly text, with black and white photos. The cover had a green folio that included the ACPS logo.

1973 Summer Issue: Board Structure, Registration Problems Among Topics

The issue included a tribute to imported stallion *Camlin Cinco, who was put down after a pasture accident and a great effort to save him by Cornell veterinarians.

R.H.F. OHarazan (registered in Stud Book IV as Rose Hill's Oharazan), of Rose Hill Farm, won the Junior Hunter Championship of Vermont in 1973 after winning Junior Hunter Champion at all seven shows she competed in. At the time, she was a 10-year-old, 15-2 hand mare. OHarazan was by Tarzan out of Cullahara. She was purchased by Gilnocky Farm at age 6 in 1970.

1973-74 Winter Issue: Hideaway Farm’s Jackie Harris Writes Open Letter to ACPS Members

The longtime Connemara official addressed ACPS members as her term on the board of governors ended, offering her words of wisdom on what should guide the society.

Hideaways Erin Tooreen, owned by Indian Hill Ranch in Valley Center, California, was the winner of the Connemara class at the 1975 Channel City Horse Show in Santa Barbara, California. He also was leading North San Diego County in points for English Pleasure and Hunter and Jumper divisions.

1975 Autumn Issue: Connemara Awards Suggested; ACPS Applies for ASHA Recognition of Connemaras

This ACPS newsletter included the letter that Ann Gascoyne submitted to James H. Blackwell, executive secretary of the AHSA, as the ACPS requested that the Connemara be a recognized breed.

Dr. Marian Molthan, of Laveen, Arizona, rides Spring Ledge Bridgette (owned by Dorothy Lyons at the time) and ponies her own mare, OH Heather Buck's Roan, in Wyoming during The Great American Horse Race in the summer of 1976.

1976 Autumn Issue: ACPS Gains Tentative ASHA (USEF) Recognition of Connemaras

A story provided coverage of Dr. Marian Molthan’s adventure on The Great American Horse Race, riding Dorothy Lyons’ dun mare, Spring Ledge Bridgette, and ponying her own gray mare, OH Heather Buck’s Roan. Bridgette finished ninth, receiving part of the cash prize.

Flying Cloud, by Tooreen Laddie out of *Sun Cloud, won regional rallies for the Groton Pony Club many times. She happily participated in eventing, hunter trials, hunting, showing and everything else asked of her. She also had eight foals for Round Robin Farm from 1960 to 1976, all by An Tostal.

1977 Winter Issue: Topics included Details of ASHA Recognition, How to Properly Document Color Markings

This issue also covered Blue Ridge Farm representing the breed at the 1976 Washington International Horse Show’s Bicentennial Pageant.

Kimberly Hackett of Dunwoody, Georgia, and her Connemara, Mr. B, won the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association Pony Medal in 1976.

1977 Spring Issue: ACPS Officials Prod Members to do More; Erin’s Shamrock Turns Heads

The ACPS president reported that she had prepared a letter for regional chairs on how she wanted them to bring together Connemara owners in their area.

*Blagdon Silver Gilt, an English stallion imported to the US by Hideaway Farm, sired eight foals before being gelded and competing successfully in hunters. He died at age 12 in 1976.

1978 Winter Issue: News included Death of Stallion and Show Pony *Blagdon Silver Gilt

Spring Ledge Bridgette was selected as the first recipient of the ACPS Camlin Trophy, donated by longtime Irish breeder Garnet Irwin for an outstanding performance Connemara in America.