Connemara profile-please check out!

[toohorsemad]

OK I am doing a connemara profile for a website! Please tell me what you think!:

Connemara ponies originate from the west of Ireland in an area called Connaught. This is a tough and barren region that has been home to the equally tough Connemara for several centuries. Because coming from the west of Ireland, which is known for its wild, wet boggy land, the Connemara has a great resistance to the elements.
The Connemara’s has a wonderful temperament and are ideal for a child’s pony as they only go up to 14.2hh (148 cms). They can however sometimes go above this but will still have that pony style cheekiness. They are very talented all rounder’s but their jumping ability stands out most of all. They are naturally athletic and agile making them great show ponies and they success in show jumping, dressage, cross-country, showing, driving and eventing. But still a quite and calm ride.
In appearance, they are highly attractive with a fine head set on a well-arched neck. They have well-conformed shoulders and a deep strong chest. The most dominate colour is grey but there are dun, black, brown, bay and occasional roan or chestnut ponies.

What do you think? Is it ok? Am I missing anything?? Please give me your comments!!

[Kanuma]

if they go above 14.2hh they can only be registered in the over height book not the main stud book. they have a stubborn streak a mile wide. how about a few pics, a link to the connemara pony society web page, a more indepth look at the conformation. other then that its very good
hope that helps

edited to add:
this is the description from horsequest to help you along

Height
Normally 133cms to 148cms at maturity
Colour & Markings
Grey, black, bay, brown, dun with occasional roan, chestnut & palomino
Head
Well balanced pony head of medium length with good width between large kindly eyes. Pony ears, well defined cheekbone. Jaw relatively deep but not coarse.
Front
Head well set on to neck. Chest should not be over-developed. Neck not set on too low. Good length of rein. Well defined withers, good sloping shoulder
Body
Body should be deep, with strong back, some length permissible but should be well ribbed up an with strong loins.
Hindquarters
Strong and muscular with some length, well developed second thighs (gaskin) andd strong low set hocks.
Limbs
Good length and strength in the forearm, well defined knees and short cannons, with flat bone measuring 18 - 21cms. Elbow should be free,. Pasterns of medium length, feet well shaped, of medium size, hard and level.
Action
Movement free, easy and true, without undue knee action, but covering the ground.
General Character
Good temperament, hardiness, staying power, intelligence, soundness, surefootedness, jumping ability, suitable for child or adult.

[jovi_y2k2]

definitely agree on the mile wide stubborn streak!!! great horses when they put their minds to it, but rather opinionated! well at least star is hehe

[Kanuma]

stan has one too!

[Rips]

I have met far more obliging Connies than stubborn ones, but eh....

Apart from what has been said... (to be added to the rest)
Its Irelands only indigenous breed and its breed society was founded in 1923. The first stallion on the stud book is a pony called Cannon Ball who was foaled in 1904.
They generally have a slightly dished face.
Their sturdy build is often attributed to the fact that Connaught is largely a limestone region, and therefore the grass is very high in calcium.

[Kanuma]

I have met far more obliging Connies than stubborn ones, but eh....


possibly cos they were nice ponies who you didnt ask to do something they dont like or have never been put in a position where they have been uncomfortable (please, please, please dont take that the wrong way but i couldnt think of any other way of putting it that didnt sound even worse, sorry if it comes out the worng way i honestly dont mean to offend!)

stan is obligeing will do anything i ask dressage wise but ask him to jump and he stops and wont do anything and no amount of kicking, pushing or leading will make him change his mind

[Rips]

No offence taken, but its not just MO. Here they are generally excepted as being the most willing of ponies. If anything Stan is an exception, since they are a breed known for their jumping ability, no horse will jump if they don't want to so it would be hard for them to earn that reputation if they were generally stubborn.

(In no way am I saying that every Connie should jump or be able to but if we are making generalisations....)

[Kanuma]

nah stan is scared he has had some bad experiances jumping so wont do it any longer, he does have a beautiful athletic jump when you can get him to trust you enough to jump it.
they do tend to be very very willing ponies, ive had kids up on stan in shows and he has done his best for them didnt put a foot wrong, but ask him to jump and i have to lead him over it! or get his routine wrong for loading and he will stand on the bottom of the ramp for hours, get it right and he walks in first time!

just to prove stan does jump
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/kanuma/stan/stanjump.jpg

oh thats anouther point you could add they are very trusting!

[Rips]

Lol, I know I'll sound like a dog with is bone but if you google
"Connemara stubborn" you get 788 results
"Connemara willing" = 54,400 results

Since stan's stubborn streak is confined to jumping obviously as you say he just has issues with it. Great pic though :)

[Kanuma]

perhaps stubborn isnt the word, strong willed is probably better!

[toohorsemad]

I know what your saying Kanuma I have a conneamara too and he is soo good! But my god he will not do anything he really doesn't what to unless you really really want to! Like for example go past donkeys! I sent it off without the suggestions you guys made and the web master said it needed to be at least 500 words long! :rollseyes: