Connemara Pony Bloodlines in New Zealand

April 2007 Prepared by

Fiona Comer, B.Ag.Sci.

Introduction
This report was written to give to Mr Tomas McLochlainn, President of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, Ireland during his visit to New Zealand. While the NZ Stud Books contain the raw data more meaning can be gained through analysis and discussion, hence the drafting of this report. A need was also seen to build on the information presented in the Feely report1 that took a snapshot of combined New Zealand and Australian foal data of three years (1998 2001) by: Presenting just the New Zealand situation. Including at all purebred mares and stallions starting from the beginning in the 1970s. Looking at where the breed is at now and the risks and opportunities ahead for the Connemara Pony in New Zealand. It is the belief of the author and other interested persons that this report will be of interest to New Zealand breeders and hopefully that it will promote thoughtful discussion. The information presented in this report is based on the CPSNZ Studbooks, CPSNZ newsletters, public sources such as the internet, and from personal contact with other members of CPSNZ. Calculations of Coefficients of Inbreeding (COI) % and Coefficients of Relationship (COR) % have been made using the Breedmate computer programme and where possible include ancestors back to the original entry in the Connemara Pony Stud Book in Ireland. E.g. the ancestors of Blandings Henrietta, Juliet, and Brigid back to Bog Oak (Ire 247) are included. The COI% and COR% may not be exactly comparable with those presented in the Feely report due to differing methods of analysis and recording. While this report is considered to be reasonably accurate, without going through an extremely time consuming verification process accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any inaccuracies are likely to be minor and insufficient to alter the conclusions of the report. The author is happy to amend any verifiable inaccuracies which become apparent.

Characterisation of the Connemara Ponies in Four Regional Groups by Deirdre Feely, Patrick Brophy and Katherine Quinn. Page 2 of 14

The Imported Stallions

Against each stallion is listed the number of daughters registered with CPSNZ and the number of stallion sons. For the purpose of this report, gelding sons and register stallions have been ignored. As an estimate only about half of the daughters of a stallion have contributed to the next generation some die without breeding, others become lost when they are sold and the new ownership is not notified to CPSNZ, others are mated to non-Connemara stallions. Similarly, some stallions have had very few opportunities to leave purebred progeny. S1 Connemara Park Roy (1969 1993) o o o Connemara Park Kenneth (Island Prince Ardan) Renvyle Rebel Left 15 daughters from 1978 -1993. Left 1 son - Waterfall Dan who died in 2006 (without leaving a son to continue this line.

S2 Connemara Park Michael (1972 approx. 1983) o Island King Ardan o Left 2 daughters in 1981 and 1983. Leitrim Ardan left 2 fillies. o Left 1 son Lonsdale Moonwind (who is very unlikely to leave a son to continue this line) S3 Barwidgee Erriff (1974 1999)

o Connaught of Millfields Barwidgee Frederika (Island King Aylesland Silver

Velvet)

o Left 11 daughters from 1986 to 1997. o Left 1 son Ridgeway Stonelea (who has not yet left a son to continue
this line) S4 Chiltern Sunsilk (1976 1997) o Island Duke Arctic Moon o Left 20 daughters from 1979 to 1997. o Left 1 son SunnAir of Summer Valley (who has not yet left a son to continue this line) o Crme dilute

Page 3 of 14

S5 Canningvale Irish Dusk iiu (1978 approx. 1992) o Domo Cavallo Benjamin Irish Mist o Left 8 daughters from 1983 to 1992. Only 3 still alive. 2 will not get the opportunity to breed (owners not interested) and the third was unsuccessful this season. o Did not leave any sons to continue this line. S6 Ganty Champ (1977 2000) o Doon Paddy Ganty Mint o Left 21 daughters from 1990 to 1998. o Left 3 stallion sons Bunratty Kerrygold, Bunratty Chieftan, Liss Tara Ganty Gold. (no stallion sons yet to continue this line) S10 Glenormiston Jasper (1985 2006) o Abbeyleix Finbar Oxenholm Dulcinea o Left 6 daughters from 1997 to 2006. The whereabouts of a full sister to Keltic OSe is unknown. o To date has left one son Keltic OSe. And at least one colt is being retained as a breeding prospect. o Four daughters and a stallion son in Australia. o Crme dilute o Died in 2006 S19 Capparis Casanova (Born approx. 1998 ) o Domo Cavallo Praize Glenormiston Rusheen o First NZ foals born in 2006. o Crme dilute

Imported Semen
Spinway o o o Comet Thunderbolt Spinway Cailin Left 3 foals in 2002, 1 filly and 2 colt foals, all from Windward line mares. One stallion son has been exported

NZ bred Approved Stallions

S7 Lonsdale Moonwind (1981)
o o o o Connemara Park Michael Windward First foals born 1992, 5 filly foals to date Unlikely to leave a son. Has age related fertility difficulties and is only available by AI.

Page 4 of 14

S9 Ridgeway Stonelea (1992)

o o o o Barwidgee Erriff Canningvale Bonnie Bess Dam line - Blandings Henrietta First foals born 1997, 3 live filly foals to date. To date has not left any sons

S12 Bunratty Kerrygold (1994)

o o o o o Ganty Champ Canningvale Bonnie Gigi Full brother to S13 Bunratty Chieftain Dam Line - Blandings Henrietta First foals born 1998, 1 filly foal to date. An uninspected son RS16 Escondido Ridgeway Silver & Gold died.

S13 Bunratty Chieftain (1991)

o o o o o Ganty Champ Canningvale Bonnie Gigi Full brother to S13 Bunratty Kerry Gold Dam Line - Blandings Henrietta First foals born 1998, 1 filly foal to date To date has not left any sons

S15 Sun-n-Air of Summer Valley (1997)

o o o o o Chiltern Sunsilk Kohekohe Colleen Dam line Blandings Henrietta Has left one filly foal to date. To date has not left any sons Crme dilute

S17 Keltic OSe (1998)

o o o Glenormiston Jasper Leitrim Ardan Dam line Blandings Adrahan To date 1 colt foal

S18 Liss Tara Ganty Gold (2000)

o o o o Ganty Champ Canningvale Della Dam line Blandings Henrietta No progeny to date Crme dilute

Page 5 of 14

NZ bred Approved Stallions no longer breeding

S8 Waterfall Dan (1993 2006)
o o o o Connemara Park Roy Blandings Kimberley First foals born 1999, at least 4 filly foals Did not leave any sons Died 2006

S20 Lonsdale Legend (2002)

o o o o Spinway Comet (AI) Lonsdale Silken Wind Dam Line Windward Left one foal MacCumhall Ashford Exported 2007

Imported colt awaiting inspection

FO47 Glenormiston Rowan (2003)
o Castle Baron Glenormiston Rosmara

Three imported stallions that were used widely, Chiltern Sunsilk, Ganty Champ, and Barwidgee Erriff, were all grandsons of Carna Dun and grandsons or great-grandsons of Carna Bobby. Coefficient of Relationship % calculated for the current New Zealand stallions and prominent male ancestors are presented in the attached Appendix 1. This shows COR% with: Carna Bobby averages 19.3%, closer to that expected for a grandparent than a great-grandparent. All current stallions have COR% with Carna Bobby above 14%. Carna Dun averages 14.5%, close to that expected for a great-grandparent. One stallion, Keltic OSe, does not have Carna Dun as an ancestor. MacDara occurs only in the pedigrees of Capparis Casanova, Keltic OSe and Ridgeway Stonelea. Rebel Wind occurs only in the pedigree of Lonsdale Moonwind. Rebel averages 13.9%, higher than that expected for a great-grandparent. This is due to the number of times he appears in each pedigree.

New Zealand currently has 8 inspected and approved stallions. Of the eight, five stallions are grandsons or great grandsons of Blandings Henrietta the most numerous of the mare lines in New Zealand. All five of these stallions have Chiltern Sunsilk close-up in their pedigrees - one is a son of Chiltern Sunsilk, three are grandsons, and another is a great-grandson. Three are sons of Ganty Champ, two are full brothers, and one other is a grand-son of Ganty Champ. Two of this group of stallions, Liss Tara Ganty Gold and Sun-n-Air of Summer Valley carry the dilute gene.

Page 6 of 14

Opportunities for these five stallions are minimal because so many mares are descended from Chiltern Sunsilk and/or Ganty Champ. Matings of male with female descendants of Blandings Henrietta has produced Coefficients of Inbreeding (COI) as high as 17% - similar to what would occur by mating half-sibs. In the long term this level of inbreeding is unhealthy. Two stallions, Lonsdale Moonwind and Keltic OSe are son and grandson, respectively, of Connemara Park Michael. They are from different mare lines that are not closely related to Blandings Henrietta, and provide an outcross opportunity. Both stallions are located in the lower North Island. Lonsdale Moonwind is now 25 years old, has low fertility, and is only available by AI and has only produced filly foals in recent years. Keltic OSe is in a relatively remote location and is only available for natural mating. Capparis Casanova was imported from Australia in 2005 and is an outcross for all New Zealand mares. However, he carries the dilute gene. Currently he is only available by natural mating. He is located near Christchurch in the South Island. Glenormiston Rowan, by Castle Baron, at the time of writing is uninspected. His dam is a full-sister to the dam of Capparis Casanova. Castle Baron carries several infusions of Carna Bobby as do nearly all New Zealand mares. If approved Glenormiston Rowan will be a moderate outcross for all New Zealand mares. However, he is located in the far north of the North Island. Tallyho Neptune, by Glenormiston Jasper out of Lonsdale Gentle Breeze (Windward family), has been retained as stallion prospect by his breeder. He has Ganty Champ and Chiltern Sunsilk on his dams side limiting his suitability for mares that have these stallions in their pedigrees. He is in the vicinity of Christchurch in the South Island. In practical terms, there are few movements between the North and South Island solely for the purpose of breeding. This is due to the cost of shipping relative to the value of progeny. To send a mare from the far south of the South Island to the closest stallions near Christchurch is a road trip of eight hours each way. Similarly from Auckland to the lower North Island is a trip of around 5-6 hours each way. Transport between islands adds significantly to costs. In all of these cases the cost means that some mare owners will look for cheaper mating options close to home regardless of the stallions breed or breeding. At this time, Lonsdale Moonwind and Sun-n-Air of Summer Valley are the only stallions available through artificial insemination.

Page 7 of 14

The Imported Mares

For the purpose of this report, sons refers to registered and approved stallion sons. M1 Blandings Juliet (1974 - 1987) o Clonkeehan Archer Connemara Park June. Full sister to Blandings Brigid M2. o Left 7 daughters between 1977 and 1986. M2 Blandings Brigid (1975 1986) o Clonkeehan Archer Connemara Park June. Full sister to Blandings Juliet M1. o Left 4 daughters between 1978 and 1985. M3 Blandings Jade (1979 after 1994) o Blandings Bobby Boffin Heron o Left 2 daughters in 1988 and 1993. M4 Ridgeway Dream iiu (1977 after 1995) o Blandings Bobby Blandings Juliet o Left 3 daughters between 1981 and 1995. M5 Irish Mist (1970 after 1995) o Greaney Rebel Sweet Sue o Left 4 daughters between 1979 and 1989. o Left 1 son - Canningvale Irish Dusk. M6 Blandings Henrietta (1973 after 1996) o Clonkeehan Archer Connemara Park Judy o Left 9 daughters between 1978 and 1996. M7 Blandings Ardrahan (1977 exp 1989) o Barwidgee Honey Mead Dangan Lady o Left 2 daughters in 1981 and 1983. o Re-exported to Blandings Stud. M8 Windward (1973 after 1995) o Rebel Wind Snabo Girl o Left 2 daughters in 1980 and 1993 o Left 1 son Lonsdale Moonwind in 1981. M9 Blandings Kimberley (1979 after 1993) o Blandings Bobby Eadon Calypso o Left 2 daughters in 1987 and 1988. o Left one son Waterfall Dan in 1993.
Page 8 of 14

M10 Canningvale Bonnie Jean iiu (1978) o Blandings Bobby Blandings Henrietta o Left 4 daughters between 1983 and 1985. o Is still alive and with RDA in Tauranga breeding crossbreds. M28 Glenormiston Dingle Bay (1984 ) o Oxenholm Gideon Tulira Fuschia o Left no daughters and no stallion sons. Biwmares Madonna (1996 ) o Glenormiston Finnian Home Vale Velvet o Imported in 2005 has left 2 daughters to date.

Blandings Henrietta was very closely related to Blandings Juliet and Blandings Brigid being by Clonkeehan Archer and out of sisters. This line is the most successful, numerically, of the imported mares and has accounted for almost 45% of the foals registered in the past 11 years and 5 of the current stallions (Bunratty Chieftan, Bunratty Kerrygold, Liss Tara Ganty Gold, Ridgeway Stonelea and Sun-n-Air of Summer Valley). This line has sufficient numbers to be secure. Blandings Juliet has provided nearly 20% of foals registered in the past 11 years but has not contributed to the stallion lines. This line is moderately secure. Windward has contributed 11% of foals over this time. This mare line is moderately secure. Windward has contributed the stallions Lonsdale Moonwind and Lonsdale Legend (exp.). Blandings Brigid has contributed 9% of foals over this time. This mare line is moderately secure. There are no stallions from this line. The remaining 17% of foals over the past 11 years are from lines that are: unlikely to continue as no females have been bred from for several years Blandings Ardrahan, Glenormiston Dingle Bay, Irish Mist or have 2-3 mares and fillies Blandings Kimberley, Blandings Jade, Or are newly imported Biwmares Madonna. Two mares have been purchased from Australia that will bring new bloodlines to New Zealand. One arrived in 2006 and currently has a filly foal at foot, the other is expected to arrive in 2007.

Page 9 of 14

Foals
The table attached as Appendix 2 lists: the number of purebred foals registered with the society over the 11 years from 1996 to 2006, the sex of the foals, The average COI% for the foals born in that year. (Wrights Coefficient of Inbreeding % (COI %) has been calculated on a private database using the Breedmate programme. The accuracy of the database has not been verified). The mare line the foal is from. Over the past 11 years a total of 79 foals have been registered, comprising 39 fillies and 40 colts. On average approximately 7 purebred foals have been registered each year, of which 3 4 are fillies. Past experience shows that perhaps 2 out of 4 fillies will produce purebred offspring over their lifetime. This is barely sufficient to maintain the breeding population. The degree of relationship between NZs registered mares and stallions is such that most mare owners have very limited options for mating their mares. Either there is a lack of a suitable unrelated stallion within reasonable proximity or distance makes the exercise uneconomic. Pony breeding is seldom economic in New Zealand given high land and labour costs, and with added difficulties in accessing suitable stallions the number of foals born each year has remained low. The average COI over the 11 years is 5.95%, but nearly 15% of foals have COIs greater that 10.0%. COIs below 4.0% only occur where one of the parents has been imported. Nearly 72% of foals are female line descendants of the closely related mares Blandings Henrietta (44%), Blandings Juliet (19%) and Blandings Brigid (9%). Of the remaining mare lines only Windward (11%) has made a significant contribution. Clearly, the dominance of a small number mare lines has contributed to the limited genetic diversity of the population in New Zealand.

The Issue of Type

Relatively few ponies go over height here perhaps reflecting the original genetic lines and that colts are generally older than two years old when inspected. Longer genetic interval and slower genetic turnover have reduced drift from original type. The type reflects original small range of foundation mares and stallions.

Potential Threats
A decline in number of purebred foals born distance to stallions, lack of suitable stallions, partbred foals perceived to be more saleable. Increased levels of inbreeding. Increasing levels of BEC foals. Currently 3 out of 8 stallions carry the dilute gene and unknown proportion of the mare population. Mares tracing to Chiltern Sunsilk and
Page 10 of 14

Glenormiston Jasper, in particular, may carry the dilute gene. In many cases the birth colour has not been recorded. No further imports of ponies or semen. Society rules and regulations that while necessary for the orderly functioning of an accurate stud book and breed society may carry the potential to unnecessarily or as an unintended consequence reduce the genetic diversity of ponies available for breeding.

Opportunities
Importing chilled semen from Australia. Standardbred breeders already do this successfully. The costs have yet to be assessed, but is a possible source of diversity, especially if several mare owners cooperate to use one stallion in a season. Over time a variety of stallions could be used adding diversity at hopefully a relatively moderate cost. Importing mares, preferably in foal. Freight and insurance costs alone come to around $5000 from eastern Australian states. This will increase genetic diversity in the long term but does not immediately increase options for mare owners with descendants of Chiltern Sunsilk, Ganty Champ and Blandings Henrietta. Importing stallions provides immediate options for all mares and if selected carefully will add to the long term genetic diversity in New Zealand. There is always a risk that any one imported stallion will be over used contributing to a further genetic bottleneck. Importing frozen semen from overseas: this has very high costs and risks. It is not a realistic option for older mares. While a number of breeders here are prepared to make this investment they have found that overseas stallion owners are not prepared to meet the biosecurity requirements for New Zealand. New Zealands remote location means it can be used as insurance against disease or environmental catastrophe in northern hemisphere. If a strong and diverse population of Connemara ponies can be established it could provide a genetic resource bank for the breed internationally. The internationally recognised health status here means that semen and ponies from New Zealand can be sent to most countries. New Zealand stallion owners should freeze semen where possible. Not only is it an insurance policy for the stallion owners, but it also gives the potential to breed from stallions long after their death if we do get/find suitable mares. If it were collected correctly, it would also be suitable for export. The CPSNZ could publicise the issues to ensure that breeders are aware of the current situation and should consider developing a strategy for a sustainable breeding programme. An example of a sustainable breeding programme is that developed for the Irish Draught Horse and documented at
http://www.irishdraught.ie/documents/IDHS_breed_development_final.doc

Page 11 of 14

How can the CPBS assist NZ breeders?

Arranging for a suitable stallion or stallions to be available for semen collection that meets New Zealand biosecurity requirements. My suggestion is that this occurs at least every four to five years. To lower the risks, the stallion needs to be already a proven sire by frozen semen. Informing stallion owners who are intending to freeze semen from their stallions of the market in New Zealand and the associated biosecurity requirements.

Conclusion
The New Zealand population of Connemara Ponies is at a difficult point. There is a very real potential for high levels of inbreeding to occur or for the population to decline through a lack of suitable stallions to mate mares to. Recent importations of one stallion, 2 mares (plus one to come) and one colt will ease the pressure to a small degree. However, further introduction of new Connemara Pony genetics is needed to move the breed to long term sustainability. Best use of new and existing Connemara Pony genetics could be achieved if the CPSNZ developed and implemented a sustainable breeding programme.

Page 12 of 14

Appendix 1

New Zealand Connemara Stallions 2006 season

Coeff. Of Inbreeding Coeff of Relationship

Name

COI% Carna Bobby 21.8% 21.8% 14.4% 22.8% 20.3% 16.6% 16.8% 19.8% 19.3% 22.8% 14.4% Carna Dun 20.2% 20.2% 7.1% 0.0% 18.9% 9.1% 20.9% 20.2% 14.6% 20.9% 0.0%

Bunratty Chieftain Bunratty Kerry Gold Capparis Casanova Keltic O Se Liss Tara Ganty Gold Lonsdale Moonwind Ridgeway Stonelea Sun'n'Air of Summer Valley Average Range High Range Low

5.1% 5.1% 4.0% 5.4% 4.2% 4.6% 4.3% 5.4% 4.75% 5.4% 4.0%

COR% with ancestor: Clonke. Dun Auratum Lorenzo MacDara 12.9% 5.4% 0.0% 12.9% 5.4% 0.0% 7.1% 11.6% 12.0% 6.8% 10.4% 15.1% 11.2% 6.8% 0.0% 0.0% 8.4% 0.0% 6.8% 10.2% 11.0% 13.5% 8.9% 13.5% 0.0% 3.9% 7.8% 11.6% 3.9% 0.0% 4.8% 15.1% 0.0%

Rebel 14.6% 14.6% 12.2% 13.3% 13.7% 12.2% 14.3% 16.0% 13.9% 16.0% 12.2%

Rebel Wind 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 31.9% 0.0% 0.0% 4.0% 31.9% 0.0%

COR % Wrights Coefficient of Relationship (%). In broad terms, COR can be used to tell you where inbreeding is coming from. For example in a totally unrelated mating, the COR between an individual and: a parent (1st generation) is 50%, a grandparent (2nd generation) is 25%, a great grandparent (3rd generation) is 12.5%, a great great grandparent (4th generation) is 6.25%. COI % Wrights Coefficient of Inbreeding (%). This estimates the total effect of ancestors appearing repeatedly in a pedigree. For example if individuals have COIs of 0%, matings: between full brother and sister gives a COI of 25% between half-brother and half-sister gives a COI of 12.5% where a mare or stallion appears in the 2nd and 3rd generation of the pedigree (is a grand-parent and a great-grandparent) gives a COI of 6.25%.

Page 13 of 14

Appendix 2.

Year

1996

No. of foals registered 10

Filly foals

Colt foals 6

Ave COI% of foals 6.23%

Dam line of foals

1997

17

6.76%

1998

5.45%

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

2 7 3 8 3 (incl. one imported) 4 7

1 4 1 5 2

1 3 2 3 1

8.82% 6.30% 4.31% 5.0% 4.75%

Bl. Henrietta 5 Bl. Juliet 1 Bl. Brigid 1 Bl. Ardrahan 1 Glen. Dingle Bay 1 Irish Mist 1 Bl. Henrietta 10 Bl.Juliet 5 Bl. Brigid 1 Bl. Ardrahan 1 Bl. Henrietta 2 Bl.Juliet 2 Bl. Ardrahan 1 Glen. Dingle Bay 1 Windward 1 Bl. Henrietta 1 Bl. Brigid 1 Bl. Henrietta 5 Bl.Juliet 1 Bl. Brigid 1 Bl. Henrietta 1 Bl.Juliet 1 Bl. Brigid 1 Bl Henrietta 4 Bl Juliet 1 Windward 3 Bl Juliet 1 Bl. Brigid 1 (Millfield Seaspray 1) Bl Henrietta 3 Windward 1 Bl. Henrietta 1 Bl. Brigid 1 Biwmares Madonna 1 Bl Kimberley 1 Blandings Jade 1 Windward 2 Bl. Henrietta 3 Bl. Juliet 3 Biwmares Madonna 1 Bl Kimberley 1 Blandings Jade 1 Windward 2 Bl. Henrietta 35 Bl. Juliet 15 Windward 9 Bl. Brigid 7 Bl. Ardrahan 3 Glen. Dingle Bay 2 Biwmares Madonna 2 Bl. Kimberley 2 Blandings Jade 2 Irish Mist 1
Page 14 of 14

2004 2005

2 4

2 3

5.81% 7.21%

2006

11

4.72%

Totals

79

39

40

5.95%