THE EDENWOOD STUD
The EDENWOOD stud is extremely honoured to have been given, in March 2005, the opportunity to purchase the magnificent performance stallion DARK STRANGER from the WEYSYDE stud. He is now with us and is settling into his new home as though he had lived here all his life !
This pure bred Stallion is one of the most popular and versatile Connemara stallions in the UK at this time. He is a true ambassador of the breed proving that the Connemara pony can compete at the highest level in any sphere. Dark Stranger was born in Ireland in 1990 at the famous Cloonisle Stud. He started his ridden career as a 4 year old, coming second in the All Ireland Ridden/Performance Pony Championships at Ouguterard in August 1995 (being the only Stallion amongst 11 qualifiers!) Then as a 6 year old he began his Show jumping career with Steven Egan, quickly proving his sporting ability by reaching Grade B jumping status and winning over 151 SJAI points in under 18 months. He was jumping and winning ABC tracks and regularly getting double clears over 1.20-1.25m courses. At this point he was sold to England for a substantial sum of money, where he began his Showing career. Due to his owners work commitments he was lightly shown but never the less he was never unplaced. He won several in hand and Working Hunter classes including Supreme Champion at the Northern Connemara Show 1997.
This pure bred Stallion is one of the most popular and versatile Connemara stallions in the UK at this time. He is a true ambassador of the breed proving that the Connemara pony can compete at the highest level in any sphere. Dark Stranger was born in Ireland in 1990 at the famous Cloonisle Stud. He started his ridden career as a 4 year old, coming second in the All Ireland Ridden/Performance Pony Championships at Ouguterard in August 1995 (being the only Stallion amongst 11 qualifiers!) Then as a 6 year old he began his Show jumping career with Steven Egan, quickly proving his sporting ability by reaching Grade B jumping status and winning over 151 SJAI points in under 18 months. He was jumping and winning ABC tracks and regularly getting double clears over 1.20-
He has been hunted regularly, proving to be exceptionally brave cross country as well as competing in dressage (where the judges always commented on his exceptional elastic movement and paces). In 2003 DARK STRANGER became the most popular Connemara Stallion in the UK by covering over 28 mares, including Grade A's, Advanced Eventers, International JA's, top WHP's/riding ponies and also pure breeds.
SIRE: ASHFIELD FESTY. This stallion comes from the most prolific performance Connemara Stud in the world, the ASHFIELD Stud. Ashfield Festy was an International Grade A Show jumper who won over 250 SJAI points and has Sired many very talented Show jumping and Eventing ponies, many of whom have been exported abroad. He is the full brother to the very successful international event pony ASHFIELD CARNA and is out of the great mare ATLANTIC SURF. This mare is also the Dam of other performance ponies such as ASHFIELD HUNTERS JEWEL and ATLANTIC CURRAGH, who is the Sire of many jumping ponies abroad including the international Show jumper NAUGHTY VAN JANSHOF.
DAM: CLOONISLE LADY. This mare is also the Dam of the most influential Connemara Stallion of the last decade, CLOONISLE CASHEL. In the last couple of years more of his stallion sons have been approved than by any other sire. He has sired a huge number of Champions including the Clifden Champion GLENCARRIG PRINCE as well as many top performance ponies including ATLANTIC LADY who at 7 years old reached Grade A Show jumping status and represented Ireland internationally.
Dark Stranger is superbly bred combining every major Stallion in the Connemara breed within his pedigree Carna Bobby, MacDara, Carna Dun and Thunderbolt. Dark Stranger has the most affectionate kind temperament, being very laid back with no stable vices or problems.
Quite apart from his numerous achievements he is an extremely docile pony with impeccable stable manners and a very gentle temperament who, apart from being a very valuable asset for the stud, is already, in the short time that we have owned him, becoming a real friend.
Photo Anthony Reynolds LBIPP. LMPA.
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