The best way to explore the desolate beauty of Connemara is from the back of a native horse says Agnes Stamp.
Cathriona Goaley runs Connemara Equestrian Escapes, an equestrian holiday company in the West of Ireland.
Most of our customers miss their pets while touring with us. Don’t worry, our own team of Springer Spaniels will give you all of the canine love you need while you are away from home. The three generations of girls would traditionally accompany us on most of the trail rides and while touring Connemara on Cáit’s Coach.
Granny springer spaniel Cindy made her journey to doggie heaven in July 2021. Her daughter Maggie and granddaughter Ellie continue in her pawsteps to offer love, comfort and canine entertainment.
Lucy has been riding since she could walk. She lives by the sea with her Connemara pony Zai, where she swims everyday (sometimes with her pony!) When not guiding our riders along the byways and coasts, she likes to compete in dressage, working hunter classes & discover new long distance rides. Her riding ambition is to horseback ride with giraffes in Africa.
This lovely grey brings daily joy to his new owner in Alabama, USA
Jimmy, born at local Fernville Stud farm to a thoroughbred mare and sired by I Love You Melody. Jimmy stands at 16.1”
She’s our Grace O’Malley. Queen of the herd! She had a successful 14 year career as Cáit’s showjumper & eventer. She gracefully retired a few years ago and has produced some fine foals since.
Born in 2012 out of a Connemara mare and by a skewbald staillion(paint horse), our lovely Monty stands at 15.2”.
This lovely bay is now competing for his new owner in the United Kingdom
Bred at home here at Curra Farm, High Tower was born in 2014. He is a son of Cleggan Bay Tower out of a Calla Boy mare.
This beautiful Bay now competes for his new owner in Ohio!
This beautiful Bay now competes for his new owner in Ohio!
This delightful grey was born in 2009. His sire was General Humbert and his dam was by I Love You Melody.
Gaelic for Peter! Peadar is a 2008 grey gelding measuring 16.2” believed to be by a Connemara stallion and out of an Irish Draught mare.
Another homebred gelding born in 2010. He’s by Owen’s Blossom and out of a Calla Boy mare. Dougal measures 15.1” approx.
he’s the king of the herd and most often used as a guide horse. Big John is by Tulira Robuck our of a Gunsmoke mare. He is measuring all of 16.1” – the biggest full Connemara we know of in Connemara!
belongs to our guide Lucy. He is her pride and joy. He is a 15 hand grey gelding that competes regularly in dressage, show jumping and cross country.
Born in 2014 and bred at Curra Farm. Copper is a chunky 15.2” grey gelding by Cleggan Bay Tower.
Born in 2010 and bred at Curra Farm. Chips is a 15 hand grey gelding by Shannon Prince out of a New Beginning mare.
Our equine vets, Philip and Rita,are always at the other end of the phone for any equine health related issues.
They are part of the team ay Glenina Vet Clinic, the finest equine health clinic on the west coast of Ireland.
Our equine vets, Philip and Rita,are always at the other end of the phone for any equine health related issues.
They are part of the team ay Glenina Vet Clinic, the finest equine health clinic on the west coast of Ireland.
Our farriers Kevin and Brian ensure our equines’ hooves are kept in tip-top condition all year round.
Our farriers Kevin and Brian ensure our equines’ hooves are kept in tip-top condition all year round. Find them on Facebook.
Carolin, the youngest member of our team, hails from Germany.
Carolin, the youngest member of our team, hails from Germany. She came to work with us in the summer of 2015 and has the role of breaking and schooling our younger ponies and helping our with logistics and trail rides during your holiday with us.
Mary is our dressage, show jumping and cross country instructor. Mary has a great record for breeding and producing top performance Connemara Ponies.
She is also a qualified Equine Specialist certified by EAGALA – Equine Assisted Growth And Learning along with many Horse Sport Ireland and British Horse Society certifications. Together, Eileen and Mary run Horses Connect Enterprises, designing and delivering a range of equine-assisted programs, workshops and retreats, some of which are based at Curra Farm with our herd of Connemara Ponies acting as co-facillitators.
Eileen, originally from Co. Wicklow, moved to Connemara over 30 years ago to marry a local fisherman and gilly Paddy. Eileen is a qualified Equine Specialist certified by EAGALA – Equine Assisted Growth And Learning.
You will most likely meet Eileen on Day 1 of your equestrian holiday with us as she introduces you to your Connemara Pony or Irish Draught and helps you learn how to communicate with it. Eileen would rescue every horse in need in the world if she won the lottery!
Joanne, joins us as a guide on our trips near Ballynahinch Castle, Cashel House Hotel and Renvyle House Hotel.
She is becoming FAR too fond of Whoopi, my competition mare and has recently fallen in love with Big John.
Jenny is one of our super guides who will accompany you on part or all of your riding excursions. Jenny was born in the UK and she and her husband moved to Ireland (decades ago she tells us) for the love of the Irish horse and equestrian life.
Jenny competes at national level in dressage, show jumping and cross country and has produced Irish Draughts and Irish Sports Horses as hunters and eventers.
Cáit and Connemara Pony Curra Whoopi. Competing from an early age, I took a break from competition during college years but my love for horses drew me back to invest in my first of six foundation Connemara mares that went on to breed many top class Connemara performance ponies over the past 15 years.
With a strong belief that the Connemara pony is one that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, I now breed a larger type of Connemara pony to allow this versatility.
