I was just looking over the old connemara breeding thread and it got me thinking…does anyone breed connemaras to be taller? I realize that is probably against the spirit of the breed, but I have a connemara pony(just discovered that, always thought he was welsh) that is long retired and only 13.2. I am 5’7", but I would hack him a bit for the kids back in the day and what a nice pony!! If I could somehow have a 16.1 version of him, boy I would be all set. He is at least 30+ now and still sound, hardy, frisky and pretty much awesome. And he is white…so pretty much a unicorn.
I am not sure if anyone is breeding them to be giants on purpose, but I once took care of an Erin Go Bragh son that was 17h! He was not expected to be more than 15h, IIRC. I have seen several 15-16h Connemaras, though I am not sure if their height affected their eligibility in the breed recordings. He was everything you would want in a connemara, just in a larger size: he was kind, hardy (almost stoic to a fault) and an easy, wonderful horse to have in the barn. I would have had 10 like him. I live in the same area that EGB competed and stood, so have seen a few of his offspring that are not all identical in size. A few were closer to 16h but again, not sure if the dam played a big role in that either.
Not all Connemaras are tiny… and most of them take up a lot of leg even if they are “only” 14.2. They are definitely one of my favorite breeds of ponies…
I will look him up-I really don’t know much about the breed, except that I LOVE my pony to pieces! I just want a blown-up version of him!
And if he is typical of the breed…then I’m all in.
I believe Tre Awain Goldsmith (stallion) is 15.2, and there are a handful or so other stallions that are in the 15h range. Lots of TB x Conn crosses out there that are around the 16h range, although mine took more after her Connemara side and is only 14.3-15h. She is a wide-body though, wears a 48" long girth, I am 5’7" as well and look perfectly fine on her.
A 16h purebred is probably fairly rare, but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a cross of that size!
In Ireland they do not like Connemaras that go “over height”, but they are quite popular in the US. But it is unusual to find a purebred over about 15h 2".
For 16h+ you are probably looking at a halfbred or quarterbred.
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Lol Ireland’s dirty secret is many of the popular Stallions ARE overheight. They classify super early there and a 14.2hh 2 year old is NOT going to stay under.
Nothing wrong with overheights (heck, they sell VERY well), but I don’t think anyone actually breeds FOR them.
Ive has several overheights from my program but also some that will be 13.2… one colt will likely end up 12.2!! But smaller will be handy to tone down the heights in some cases so it’s all good.
if you want tall, your best bet is to get a cross… but at the end of the day, connemaras are fabulous ponies and the height is really quite secondary.
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Breeding for size is a funny thing. My 6’1" husband rides a purebred TAG Connemara that stands about 15.3. I ride a half-bred we bred by TAG out of a TB mare that could get a pony card… but he takes up my leg, has a large stride, and I love him!
Our purebreds are 14.1-15.2. Our half breds are generally 15.2 and up. Ive a long yearling halfbred that is pushing 15.2 right now :eek: . I prefer the half breds for more horse height, nothing wrong with overhieght purebreds but if you go much over about 15h they start to lose some pony quality and character that makes the breed special. I really dont see a lot of difference temperament wise between our purebreds and halfbreds. The halfbreds may be even more desirable because you lose some of the pony cheeky attitude 
The British connie breed society is v strict that ponies must not exceed 14.2 while the Irish breeders are less strict. If ponies get too big they loose the characteristics that define their ‘type’ and breed. As individual riders, not problem. Long term, for the breed, we risk loosing something unique and wonderful. I am 5ft 9ins and can happily ride a 14 0 connie.
If you need bigger consider an Irish Draught. They share many characteristics with Connemares in a larger package. They do tend to be a little more chilled.
Irish Draughts are typically much heavier than Connemaras. But I love anything Irish and have had several homebred IDSH and Connemara crosses over the years. The purebreds do not have enough “blood” for my purposes as I prefer over 50% TB. So crossing the purebred stallions with the tb mares has worked well.
