Epona Brielle

Introduction: Brielle is a part bred Connemara by Glenormiston Benbaun. She is a Connemara through and through - tough, loyal and personality plus - she would live inside with her family, if she could! 

Education, skills and experience: Brielle was bred by Windamere Riding School and Epona Connemara Pony Stud - and spent her life treking, visiting the beach, attending clinics and lessons. She is completely unphased by different atmospheres. Throughout her career, she has had the best of education, coaching and care.

Brielle has jumped up to 80cm and popped over cross country jumps. She is a typical Connie in that she can jump to the moon! Brielle has a sound basic education on the flat. She is perfect out on trails. Brielle has also attended working equitation clinics and is unconcerned by bridges, tarps and other obstacles. She has experience mustering cattle. Brielle has been ridden in indoor arenas and was unconcerned by that too.

General demeanor under saddle: Brielle not a yahoo, sporting pony, she is very willing and responsive. She is light in the bridle and understands collection. She has fabulous movement and could make an outstanding show hunter galloway.

Brielle is generally very straightforward to ride. She is patient and tolerant, happily standing quietly for hours waiting for the sheep to move or for her turn in a lesson. If Brielle snorts at something, she is reassured by a pat on the neck. She is familiar with indoor arenas, motorbikes, trains, trucks, tractors, fireworks and the nonsense of farm and family life. 

Very important: The year that Brielle was born, there were no other foals. She did not cope well with weaning, jumped out of the yard and the galloped kilometres back to mum. When she was then stabled, she went absolutely berserk.

Throughout her career, Brielle has been perfectly fine to:

• Work with her paddock mates

• Be loaded into a float and go to different venues

• Work at different venues with or without other unfamiliar horses

• Be ridden away from her paddock mates by an experienced and patient rider

However, she is not able to ever be:

• Stabled  - she will go ballistic

• Ridden away from her paddock mates by a novice, nervous or impatient rider

Current workload/ fitness: Brielle is not currently in work. Her owner/ breeder is now in her 70s and requires a hip replacement, hence the sale of all five connemaras. In saying that, Brielle’s owner would happily hop on her without any prior notice. 

Behaviour and handling: Brielle is excellent to catch, handle, wash, groom and load, travel and unload. She is fabulous for the farrier and vet.

Feeding and management: Brielle is fed hay only, unless in full work.

Medical history: Brielle does not have any medical issues or prior injuries. She is a tough, sound connemara with excellent constitution and quality hooves. Brielle has always been barefoot on a regular trimming cycle. She is up to date with dental and vaccinations.

Rider Suitability: Brielle is suitable for an experienced rider and owner due to her separation anxiety. She deserves a rider who is relaxed and has an understanding of contact and an independent seat. Brille could potentially go out competing tomorrow.  

Brielle, like all Connemaras, has a loving personality and is very loyal to her owner. They do take time to bond with their rider but once they do, the bond is for life. Connemaras are willing and responsive but they do require time to process things and do not enjoy a human with a heavy hand or argumentative streak. Connemaras can be stubborn when they want to be. Owning a connemara is extremely rewarding and, once you have one, you will forever be part of their world wide fan club!

Reason for sale: Brielle’s owner is absolutely devastated to put her on the market but she loves having a job to do and deserves this. This is a very sad day for Brielle’s family.