The Annual West Coast Connemara Show, dedicated in memory of Larry Ervin, was held for the second consecutive year at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA. Chris Knox of Chesterfield, ID, was the USEF-licensed Connemara Breed and Performance judge. Forty-six Connemara ponies along with some 'open' horses vied for ribbons in the three-day show of 80 classes, leading up to the presentation of six division championships and 13 Perpetual Trophies. Traditionally hot summer daytime temperatures were bearable, and the evenings were quite cool and refreshing for ponies, horses, and riders.

This was a second USEF-recognized show and Lee Webster, Organizer, received significant and welcome guidance from the USEF Competitions Department in producing the prize list posted on the show web site, www.westcoastconnemarashow.com. Also, for the second year, the custom website offered ACPS Region X members constant updates relative to all facets of show planning, preparation and participation. And, because interested members voted in a regional survey to engage a professional horse show secretary for this year's show, the well-known Nancy Nathanson took on the responsibility for coordinating all aspects of USEF required record-keeping. With the added help and expertise of Victor Ramensky, the accurate score-keeping needed to complete the horse show records was right on and projected schedules were met.

A maximum day of dressage rides (eight hours of judging), went smoothly with 66 scheduled rides on Friday. Saturday consisted of the in-hand breed classes and the three Connemara hunter divisions. Riders 10 and Under classes and the fun/games classes for all ages made up the late afternoon 'Celtic Caper!' Lee Webster and Ramensky hosted a complimentary wine and cheese party Saturday evening prior to a delicious competitor's barbeque dinner. Sunday was a big day, too, with 'Open' Performance, featuring jumpers and trail classes. Sunday's grand finale was the Inaugural Larry Ervin Memorial Irish Derby. A beautiful new trophy to honor Ervin was donated by Darian and Allen Hall of Rosewood Farm Connemaras.

Using the guidelines prepared by seasoned eventers, Kristen Enedy and Megan Lepper, who ride for the Halls, the Irish Derby came into being and proved to be a hugely popular new addition to the show schedule. The ultimate winner, Lee Webster riding Stonybrook Belmont, posted the best score derived from one dressage test and the fewest penalty points from a course designed with both show jumping fences and flagged cross-country obstacles. Enthusiastic riders benefitted from the use of quality stadium fences and cross-country obstacles provided by Twin Rivers Ranch, host for large USEF/USEA West Coast Horse Trials throughout the show season, as well as an International Three-Day Event every September.

Concluding the show was a much-anticipated and delightful awards ceremony where division champions and perpetual trophy winners were called forward to accept their honors. Throughout the three days of competition, there were magic moments, outstanding camaraderie and fond memories created for all. More details, including show results for in-hand champions, division champions, all perpetual trophy winners and class placings, will appear in the September/October issue of the American Connemara magazine.