On Sunday, 23^rd March, the CPBS held an Inspector Scoring Course at Galway Equestrian Centre.

The aim of this course was to inform and train current inspectors on the new scoring system introduced for upcoming inspections.

Attending inspectors worked together as a group on profiling their ‘Ideal Connemara Pony’. The Linear Profile below is the conclusion the group came to when discussing the ideal pony. This is to show breeders what they should be looking and aiming for and what to improve in the ponies they breed from one generation to the next.

The inspector groups agreed on the four traits they wish to see improved in the breed in future years -

• a shorter cannon bone
• a more sloping shoulder
• a deeper barrel
• bigger knees and no offset knees

The day was full of constructive conversation and how to improve the Connemara Pony through continued education, learning from each other, collecting the data from inspections and analysing it. The Inspection Committee and the group of inspectors are committing to working on a five-year plan and reviewing this continuously from year to year, with the aim to protect and enhance the qualities that make the Connemara Pony so special.