A majority of the members of the newly elected Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society 20-member council are from areas of the county outside the traditional heartland of Ireland’s most famous native pony breed.

The results of last week’s election, which was organised on a new basis, means that the majority traditionally given to pony breeders from Connemara is over. It may not be easy for the traditionalists to accept the new trend in the Connemara pony council – only six of those elected during the week are resident west of the Corrib. Indeed only three members now come from the area west of Maam Cross. The remainder of the 20-member council are from other parts of Galway, Connacht and Ireland. Each province was allocated a certain amount of seats in the new election process and voting was by post.

There used to be an arrangement which gave Connemara-based owners a majority on the council and the election of the members took place at the AGM. However, there has been a trend in the Society to embrace Connemara pony breeders and owners from all over the country. The final meeting of the old council took place on Monday night.