Johnno not surprised with Dawn's Surprise performance at Dublin Horse Show

A MAYO pony breeder says he has high hopes for a locally bred pony who performed with distinction while in competition at the recent Dublin Horse Show.

Dawn's Surprise, a filly bred by Carrowholly-based councillor John O'Malley competed in the Ridden Connemara Ponies category for four to five year olds at the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS.

The Carrowholly-bred pony was the only filly to compete in a field of 19 participants was ridden by Westport's Amy Grady and finished in seventh place.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr O'Malley said he was delighted with how Dawn's Surprise - who is now owned by his son, Sean – performed on the day against very stiff competition. He paid special tribute to Amy who broke the filly last September and also trained her ahead of the competition.

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“Amy broke and trained the horse and went to a number of events and she qualified for the RDS in Limerick. That was a wonderful achievement for a horse that had just broken a few months. There were many ponies who were expected to qualify ahead of Daw’s Surprise and didn't.

“Amy knew from the start that she had great potential. We are delighted with the performance of the pony and it was great to get to the RDS and compete. We owe it all to Amy,” he said.

Amy, who trains horses and ponies at her stable in the shadow of Croagh Patrick said that she was not surprised by how well Dawn's Surprise competed.

“Dawn's Surprise behaved like a true professional and smashed her first spin around Ring 2 to finish seventh in a strong four to five year old Ridden Connemara Class out of 19 ponies. She was the only filly pony to be placed that day. We are delighted with the way she performed,” she commented.