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Festival of the Connemara Pony
Tuesday 19th August - Sunday 24th August 2025
Celebrating 100 years of the Connemara Pony Show, the annual Connemara Pony Festival & Show is a week-long celebration of the breed, attracting visitors, breeders, and owners from around the globe. Held in Clifden, Co Galway, the highlight of the festival is the Connemara Pony Show, a world-famous event that dates back to 1924. As the premier event for the breed, it features the largest display of Connemara Ponies anywhere in the world, with over 400 ponies on show.
These ponies are a distinctive breed, known for being strong, intelligent, and hardworking. Their qualities make them well-suited for the wild, rugged landscape of Connemara, the Galway region that gave them their name. Ponies also have a genial disposition, which makes them excellent pets, and a powerful build that makes them great jumpers and show ponies.
During the festival, ponies compete in various classes, including in-hand, ridden, and working hunter competitions, as well as a puissance competition. The spectacle of the ponies demonstrating their prowess in front of experienced judges is a major draw for visitors, and a win is a source of great pride for the pony’s owner.
In addition to the pony competitions, the festival also features a variety of non-pony activities, such as a dog show, an Irish dancing exhibition, and domestic arts and craft stalls with regional competitions for baked goods, jams, and more. The 2025 show marks the 100th anniversary of the event, and will feature traditional show elements alongside new additions to celebrate this historic milestone.
Below is a breakdown of the daily events scheduled: (For up-to-date information see the Event Website.)
Tuesday – 19th August
The Showgrounds (Free Entry Today)
- Demonstration by Connemara Therapeutic Riding CLG – 11:00 am
Discover how Connemara ponies support well-being in two live therapeutic riding demos for all abilities. Free entry. - Loose Jumping Competitions – 2:00 pm
A unique opportunity to see young Connemara ponies evaluated for natural jumping prowess – all without a rider. Free entry. - 100th Show Welcome Reception – 6:00 pm
Join us at the Show Marquee for drinks & nibbles. ALL welcome – locals and pony community alike. Free entry.
Station House Courtyard
- Get on the Pony Carousel – TBC
Close to the Showgrounds, enjoy a spin on the Pony Carousel at the Station House Courtyard. All week! (TBC)
Clifden Town & Market Square
- Best Window Displays
Have a ramble through the town to see all the themed entries for the Window Display Competition.
Station House Museum
- ‘In a field, Dreaming’ Exhibition & Soundscape – From 10:00 am
Open daily. A digital photography exhibition and soundscape exploring the habit, history and gentle nature of our indigenous pony. Free entry.
Station House Theatre
- ‘Connemara and its Ponies’ – Screening Daily – 12:00 pm
All week. ‘Connemara and its Ponies’ (1971) by David Shaw Smith is a rare archival documentary, 30 minutes in length. Free entry. - “Into the West” Film Screening – 7:00 pm
A special screening of the film ‘Into the West’ (1992) – a much-loved film (1 hour 37 minutes) featuring the Connemara pony and stunning footage of Connemara. Free entry.
Wednesday – 20th August
The Showgrounds
- The Traditional In-Hand Classes” Pony Competitions – From 8:00 am
The traditional and day-long series of Connemara ponies is judged on conformation, breed characteristics and overall presentation while led by a handler. - Official Show Opening by Nina Carberry MEP
- Domestic Arts, Crafts & Produce Show
Celebrate local creativity with home produce, handcrafted items, and garden produce competitions. Pre-entry only – All entries must be on display no later than 10:15 am. - The Dog Show – 2:00 pm
The always popular competition for various breeds of dogs. Entries are welcome on the day starting at 12:00 pm, the competition commences at 2:00 pm. - Best & Most Appropriately Dressed Competitions – 1:00 pm
Dress to impress! Fabulous prizes await those who stand out for elegance, creativity, and flair. Register at the Marquee between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm. Judging from 1:00 pm. - Irish Dancing Competition – 2:00 pm
Enjoy the tradition of local Irish dancers as they perform and compete. Entries accepted on the day. - The All-New Show Marquee
Enjoy some food & beverages in the all-new Show Marquee! Also, be sure to visit our stand here at the marquee for the limited-edition 100th Show and assorted merchandise.
Clifden Town & Market Square
- Street Traders & Family Fun! – All Day
See the stalls with crafts, local produce, and artisanal delights along with fabulous face-painting for kids (and kids at heart!)
Clifden Station House Hotel
- The Showdown – 8:00 pm
Get together for music, drinks, and a relaxed evening.
Thursday – 21st August
The Showgrounds
- Ridden and Working Hunter Classes – From 7:30 am
Exciting ridden & working hunter competitions, including the Champion Ridden Pony & Irish Green Hunter Final.
Clifden Town & Market Square
- Face Painting – 6:00 pm
Fabulous face painting for kids & big kids at heart! - Sing-Along Social – 6:00 pm
Join the Sing Along Social Craic Mechanics for an equestrian-themed sing-along street party at the Gig Rig! - CLADA – Band on the Gig Rig – From 8:00 pm
Soak up the show atmosphere and Live Final on the Big Screen of the Win A Home in Clifden Draw & After party with our very own ‘CLADA’ on the Gig Rig.
Station House Theatre
- Grand Finale of ‘Win A Home in Clifden’ – Doors 8:00 pm
Join the in-person excitement of someone winning a luxury apartment in Clifden worth €360k – Live Draw (to be live streamed on Facebook) commencing at 9:00 pm. Tickets are €100 and are for sale up until 7:00 pm on Thursday – 21st August at the Win A Home sales office on Market Square www.winahomeinclifden.com
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel
- International Societies Reception – 7:30 pm
A warm welcome to International Societies to meet breeders, judges, and fellow pony enthusiasts. Screen presentation of show champions of the last 100 years taken from the photographic publication by Phylls Jones. Note: Limited parking. - Connemara Pony Publication Book Launch – 8:15 pm
Official Launch of ‘100 Champions’ – a photographic publication by Phyllis Jones. All proceeds to Connemara Therapeutic Riding CLG.
Clifden Town Hall
- Pony Bingo – 8:00 pm
Try your luck at Pony Bingo.
Friday – 22nd August
The Showgrounds
- Working Hunter Classes – From 8:00 am
Connemara ponies jump fences and show good manners, testing their ability and suitability as a safe, reliable hunter. - Clifden High Performance Competition
Elite ponies demonstrate jumping ability, movement, and breed excellence. - Puissance (High Jump) Competition
A thrilling showjumping spectacle where Connemara ponies attempt to clear increasingly high jumps.
Clifden Town & Market Square
- Trad on the Gig Rig – 5:20 pm
Enjoy local trad music, song & dance. - The Parade of Champions – 6:00 pm (approx)
Grand showcase through the streets of Clifden of The Show’s top Connemara ponies, celebrating their success. - AMPD – Live on the Gig Rig – 8:00 pm
Enjoy the near end of the 100th Connemara Pony Show with lively local band ‘AMPD’ in Market Square on Clifden’s Gig Rig.
Connemara Pony Sales @ Clifden Mart
- Day 1 of Connemara Pony Sales – From 9:30 am
Visit the Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden running for three days (Friday to Sunday), 22-24 August, with over 650 lots. Top-class ponies for every discipline, and global buyers. connemaraponysales.com
Mullarkey’s Bar
- Barn Dance – From 9:50 pm
Enjoy a Barn Dance at Mullarkey’s Bar featuring foot-stomping bluegrass and country classics from some of Connemara’s finest talent. Fancy Dress Welcome!
Saturday – 23rd August
Clifden Town Hall
- Connemara/Ukrainian Market – 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Celebrating Connemara and Ukrainian culture with a pony-themed market, local crafts, live music, kids’ activities and free tea and coffee. Fun family-friendly event!
Connemara Pony Sales @ Clifden Mart
- Day 2 of Connemara Pony Sales – From 9:30 am
Day 2 of Ireland’s leading & largest sale of Connemara ponies & horses continues. connemaraponysales.com
Clifden Town & Market Square
- Enjoy great live music in Clifden’s pubs!
Sunday – 24th August
Connemara Pony Sales @ Clifden Mart
- Day 3 of Connemara Pony Sales – From 9:30 am
Day 3 and final day of the Connemara Pony Sales. connemaraponysales.com
Event Details
Location
Festival of the Connemara Pony
This event listing is compiled for informational purposes only and is correct at time of publication. All event information may be subject to change by the organisers and you are advised to contact the organisers directly for the most up to date information before you travel. ConnemaraIreland.com cannot be held responsible for any alterations to the listed information.