The Connemara

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FestiveBoomBoom

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Does anyone own or have experience/opinions of connemaras? I remember riding a few from my youth at various riding schools and remember them being fab
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Just out of interest I'm 5'5 and 9st so whats the smallest I could get away with !?
 
Love them too!!! yeah 15hh?
Unfortunately I am too tall and can't find any big enough so have to make do with Connemara crosses....still fab though!
 
We have a connemara cross Basuto pony. He's from a fairly well known stud here, and our friend had his half sister. My old instructor also had a connemara from that stud, about 15.1hh
They really are such nice natured ponies/horses and seem to be fairly hardy and decent for anything. Ours isn't the most conformationally fantastic (nothing major, just a couple little flaws) but he moves like a real little dressage pony and has a really good jump.
Plus, he's just..steady..you know, its like he never changes. You always know exactly what to expect, nothing bothers him..he's just a really good pony
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As for you, going for a full connemara I would've thought you could easily get away with 15-15.1hh.
 
at 9 stone and only 5'5 you should be fine on a 14.2hh possibly even a 14h providing they have a decent barrel to take up your leg.
 
You know I actually quite fancy something in the 14-14.3h bracket! Current horse is 16.3 and is simply too big for me, he's not an overly difficult ride but is just too big for me to ride effectively
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So was just thinking about possible options for the future and a little connemara would be fab!
 
Totally agree the one I have for sale at 14.1 would easily take you in fact he regularly takes5'9" 11 stone with no problems at all, in fact he thrives on work.

Connemaras as a whole I have found to be fantastic ponies, but they have a very intelligent character and can be strong willed, they are tough and hardy who like to work.
 
It's funny because if you learn to ride as a child there just seems to be that transition onto horses when you get older but to be honest I wish I'd just stuck with the ponies!
Oh my god I've seen some beautiful ones advertised on Prestwood Farm
 
I have a connie cross and she is 15.1hh with a fairly substantial barrel and I am 5ft 7 and wiegh 12 stone. I worried for a while but photos look fine and she carries me just fine
 
I am now riding my daughter's connie X 14.2hh (although she is quite a chunky girl), forward going and definitely with a mind of her own! I'm 5'7' 11 stone (ish!) but don't look too big on her (ie feet not dangling below tummy) and equine phyio assured me I am fine weight wise.
 
Mine is a connemara x ID, big beasty but a gentle giant. Ok he's only 16hh1" but he is build like an ID with the Dun colour of a connemara. He's got a fab temperameant though, will literally do anything for you.
 
errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr slightly worried by some of your replies!! i have a connie x, but the x makes him finer than a full connemara, and hes 14.2, i weigh just over 10 stone and am 5ft6, believe me he doesnt struggle, far from it, 9 stone and 5'5 is nothing you could ride 12.2 and be fine!?!?!?!?!
 
I'm a similar height/weight to the OP. My connie has a LHC for 15hh, but he's at least 15.1 if not 15.2. he is well sprung and takes a wide saddle. I've been told I look better on him than my 16hh KWPN.

Given their barrel shape, I would start looking at 14.2 and take it from there
 
12.2 would be awesome! I don't think I've sat on anything that small since I was about 10. on page 3 there is a post, someone looking for a 13.2 and I would buy the pony in that post tomorrow (in my dreams) Will seriously consider a connemara for next pony!
 
I got one from Prestwood and he's lovely. 1'm 5'8 and he's 15hh and i think we look fine together:

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He's got the best temperament and character, really can't fault him!

I think at your weight you could get away with something much smaller than him if you wanted.
 
aw he's lovely! and you look so happy riding him too. Glad you've had a good experience with Prestwood, they really do have some crackers on there. Only problem is I'm way up north and they're way south!
 
I loaned a 15hh connie for 2 years and am similar build and same height as _Gina_ - I felt fine on him and we looked ok. They have deep girths so I would have thought you'd be fine on a 14.2.
 
I bought Polo from Prestwood and I'm soooo pleased with him
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He measured in as a 148 in Jan 2009 but he's at least 15hh now and still bulking out. I'm 5'2" and just under 9 stone, and he carries me for full days right at the front with the vwh. Who needs a 2nd horse when you've got a bog pony
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I have one and highly reccomend them!! He's an allrounder is is such a gent (but still has the cheeky pony in there), really genuine. Connies all the way! YeeeaAhhh!
 
you are all convincing me that connies are the way forward. So should I look at prestwood farm? Are they nice people to deal with?They seem to have a REALLY nice selection!
 
You will have no problems on a 14hh-14.2hh Connie. Will hopefully be buying one myself in the next few months, though il buy in ireland.
 
Fab ponies - love them! At your height etc then easily start at 13.2hh and work upwards. Most of my grooms are the same as you and they all ride / hunt / compete my daughter's 13.2 and my other 14hh. the 14hh dun mare is looking for a new home too!.....
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Connemaras all the way!

There amazing ponys though they tend to be good doers so be prepared for the possibility of resticted grazing.they can thrive on bog and crap grazing over here lush grass seems to just make them balloon!
Generally they are good jumper's and allrounders with decent temperments...though they can be absolute shits when let away with it.Typical ponys really!

A Connemara should be able to take 9 stone and 5'5 no bother.There hardy little ponys,though the 14hh up might be more comfortable for you...
 
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I bought Polo from Prestwood and I'm soooo pleased with him
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He measured in as a 148 in Jan 2009 but he's at least 15hh now and still bulking out. I'm 5'2" and just under 9 stone, and he carries me for full days right at the front with the vwh. Who needs a 2nd horse when you've got a bog pony
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He is absolutely gorgeous - def have a soft spot for greys. Happy memories riding as a kid!
 
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Ignore the rider, I've never been much good at jumping! I'm 5ft 3" and Cuishle, the pony I'm riding, was about 13.2hh. I'm sure you wouldn't squash a 14.2hh pony!
 
I have a connie
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hes 14.2hh and i weighed 10stone ish before he had to be retired
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but he always carried me fine! I agree you would be fine on anything 13hh upwards at 9stone!
 
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