Ballyconneely Pony Show

Held on the third Sunday in July 2026. The Ballyconneely Pony Show taking place in Ballyconneely, Co Galway, a beautiful part of Connemara renowned for its breeding of the celebrated Connemara Pony, its many attractions make it a great day out for all the family.

The event is one of the largest in the area, attracting many breeders and ponies; there were more than 200 entries last year, making the show the second largest of its kind, and every year it just keeps getting better.

With the added attractions of a dog show, a craft show and even a bonny baby competition, there is so much on offer for young and not so young.

The show is also a great opportunity for those wishing to buy a pony, and many are sold on the day. So whether you’re buying, selling or are just there for the enjoyment of it all, the Ballyconneely Pony Show has something for everyone.

BALLYCONNEELY SHOW

Affilated to I.S.A.
**Celebrating 40 years, 1986-2026**
39th Annual Show Sunday 19th July 2026

Judging commences at 10am
ENTRIES CLOSE ON JULY 10th 2026
STRICTLY NO ENTRIES AFTER CLOSING DATE
Please return all cups and trophies by July 6th

ENTRIES SECRETARY FOR IN HAND CLASSES, CATTLE & SHEEP: ANN MARIE CONROY, DUNLOUGHAN ROAD, BALLYCONNEELY, CO GALWAY 086-0446124
Email: [email protected]

The Show Committee cannot accept responsibility for any accident to any animal, property, or individual.

ANY OBJECTIONS MUST BE HANDED TO THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE IN WRITING WITHIN ONE HOUR OF THE CONCLUSION OF ANY EVENT ACCOMPANIED BY €20.

DOMESTIC ARTS SECTION: JUDGING AT 11.00AM
CATTLE: JUDGING AT 11.30AM
SHEEP: JUDGING AT 12.30PM
BONNY BABY COMPETITION: JUDGING AT 12.00 NOON DOG CLASSES: JUDGING AT 12.30PM
ENTRIES FOR: BONNY BABY, DOMESTIC ARTS AND DOG CLASSES WILL BE TAKEN ON SHOW DAY

CONNEMARA PONY CLASSES

(All Cups and Trophies listed are perpetual)
Perpetual Cups and Trophies MUST BE SIGNED FOR

PRIZE MONEY FOR PONY CLASSES.

• Classes 1 to 3,5,7, 8 and 10 to 18: €50, €30, €25, €20, €15, €10.
• Class 6: €50, €25.
• Class 9: €50, €25.
• Class 19: €50, €25.

ENTRY FEE: €15.00

• Class 1: Yearling Colt.
• Class 2: Yearling Filly.
• Class 3: 2 year old Filly
• Class 4: All Ireland 2 & 3 year old colt Championship.
• Class 5: 3 year old Filly.
• Class 6: Junior Championship.
• Class 7: Colt Foal.
• Class 8: Filly Foal.
• Class 9: Champion Foal.
• Class 10: Young Handler, Mare or Gelding shown by person who has not reached their 16th Birthday by July 19th.
• Class 10A: Mini Young Handler. Child must be accompanied by an Adult. 10 years and under on July 19th. Free Entry
• Class 11: Mare 3 years and over with foal judged as a unit 60/40
• Class 12: 4 to 6 year old Mare with or without foal at foot.
• Class 13: Stallions 4 years old and over.
• Class 14: 7 to 11 year old Mare with or without foal at foot.
• Class 15: 12 to 16 year old Mare, with or without foal at foot
• Class 16: 17 years and over Mare with or without foal at foot.
• Class 17: Bay Mare, 2 year old and over
• Class 18:  **** Mare 2 years old and over classified 138cm and under
• Class 19: Championship of Show. (1st & 2nd place) cls 11-18

Mares with foal, mare and foal must be shown together.

The Junior Champion is not eligible for the Senior Championship.

THE JUDGES ARE EMPOWERED TO WITHOLD PRIZES IN CLASSES WHERE THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT COMPETITION OR MERIT.

JUDGING OF SHEEP AT 12.30pm.
All SHEEP MUST BE PINNED BY 10AM SHARP.

Prizes:

• Classes: 19 to 32: €20, €15, €10.
• Classes 33, 34 & 35: €20
• Class 36: prizes in kind – Free Entry

SHEEP CLASSES

(SHEEP MUST BE SHORN)
CLASS ENTRY FEE: €5.00 PER Class.

• Class 19: Connemara Mountain pair of Aged Ewes.
• Class 20: Connemara Mountain pair of Hogget Ewes.
• Class 21: Connemara Mountain pair of Ewe Lambs.
• Class 22: Connemara Mountain pair of Ram Lambs.
• Class 23: Connemara Mountain Hogget Ram
• Class 24: Connemara Mountain Aged Ram, (2yrs+)
• Class 25: Any Cross Single Ewe Lamb.
• Class 26: Any Cross Single Ram Lamb.
• Class 27: Pure Bred Single Ewe Lamb, Reg/Non Reg
• Class 28: Pure Bred Single Ram Lamb, Reg/Non
• Class 29: Reg Cross Breed Ewe. (any cross)
• Class 30: Pure Bred Ewe, Registered/Non Registered
• Class 31: Pure bred/cross bred Hogget Ram excluding Class 23.
• Class 32: Pure bred/cross bred Aged Ram, excluding class 24
• Class 33: Champion Lamb.(Must have competed in another class)
• Class 34: Champion Connemara Mountain Sheep.
• Class 35: Champion of the Show – Oisin Connolly Memorial cup
• Class 36: Young handler – Child under 10, Judged after class 24

CATTLE CLASSES

ENTRY FEE €10.00
Classes will only run subject to sufficient entries.

Prizes:

• Classes 35-40: €30,€20, €15.
• Class 41: €40, €20

CATTLE MUST BE HALTER TRAINED
Classes 37, 38 & 39 calf Must be BORN in 2025.
All CATTLE MUST BE PINNED BY 10AM SHARP.

JUDGING AT 11.30PM.
CATTLE ENTERED MUST HAVE EURO IDENTITY CARD (Classes are Confined to Connemara)
THE ONNIS IS ON EACH FARMER TO HAVE HIS/HER ANIMAL MOVEMENT PERMIT
(Animals must be tested)

• Class 37: Heifer Calf, Born 2026 (Welby Cup)
• Class 38: Bull Calf, Born 2026
• Class 39: Bull or Heifer Calf, Calved and tagged after 1st May
• Class 40: Continental/Non continental bred Male/Female. (without permanent teeth)
• Class 41: Maiden or in calf Heifer under 30mths suitable to Produce and rear a calf for the commercial beef market
• Class 42: Breeding Female over 30 months with/without calf
• Class 43: Champion of the show

IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY IT IS MANDATARY THAT ALL ANIMALS INCLUDING FOALS BE HALTERED AT ALL TIMES.