CPBS Mar 2015 Council Meeting Minutes & Draft Plans for the future

8/9/2019 CPBS Mar 2015 Council Meeting Minutes & Draft Plans for the future.

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u mann £uct apaif in i lio nam araConnemara Pony Breeders SocietyThe Showgrounds, Clifden Co. Galway

Tel. +353 (0)95 21863 Fax. +353 (0)95 21005 e-mail:[email protected]

31/3/15

Mr Noel BrettCorclough EastBelmullet Co. Mayo

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Re: CPBS Council Meeting

Dear Noel

The next meeting of the Council of the CPBS will be held on Monday 13 th April 2015at Dartfie1d Horse Museum and Heritage Centre, Loughrea, Co. Galway at 7.30pm.

Agenda

L Dr. Jack Murphy - Inspection Review2. Adoption of Minutes3. Matters arising from Minutes

4. Sub Committee reports5. Membership6. President s Address7. Correspondence8. A.O.B.

Yours sincerely

Niamh PhilbinSecretary

• . .. ,

Directors: Tom MaeLochlainn(President), Jim Mullaney (Vice-President), John Varley (Vice-President) ,Padraic Heanue(Treasurer), John Riordan (Hon. Secretary), Jane Andrews, Kevin Bolger , Noel Brett, Ciaran Curran, Gear6id Curran,

Padraic Hynes, Mr. Mossie Joyce, Patrick Keaney, Michael Laffey, Jerry Mahon, Keith Murray, Andy O Donoghue,Pierce O Malley, Dermot Power, Frank Quinn.

A company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital.Registered Office Clifden, Co. Galway Chy No: 5864 Registered in Dublin, Ireland No.: 17849


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Draft Mission Statement

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society is committed to support its members toestablish the Connemara Pony as the world's premier pony for sport and

recreation through the provision of services of the highest standards ofexcellence, and to act in the best interests of its members and its affiliatedSocieties throughout the world

The words studbook, protect and foster were mentioned for possible inclusion ..

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Connemara Pony Breeders' Society

Short Term Plan

Promotion of Performance Ponies

The CPBS plans to introduce a number of new competitions for performance ponies in 2015 to run

alongside performance competitions already in place . We are keen to expand this sector and it is

expected this will open new markets for Connema ra ponies and ~jll\encourage pony owners to put a;~~ , -,

saddle on the ir pony and start competing them.

New Competitions 29th

March 2015

Venue: The Showgrounds Clifden Co Galway

1.IOm Showjumping Compet ition for Class One :C(innemara Stal lions

Aim: To give stallion owners the 0PPO ,I1Uility to promo te .;a ,nd ,:shoWtase performance .stallions.

Prize Fund of €l000 . ; ; ; ; 1 i ; :; 1 ::~ ;~ h ;: ; : : } ; : . . , : ,: . . :~ ~ > ~ ;~ ~ :-~

Ridden Class for Class One Connemara s i~lIions

Aim: To promote ridd ~~~tJ '~:~~~a ,ra Statllonsand todi~ play th 'e ;yersatility of the Connemara Pony ..~:~ :~ ~ T ,

Prize Fund of €450. .::~~::;

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New Competitions ~: ~ ~t ~ II~ · ~;~:~:~~~:~~'

These competitions will run as part o (the Connemara Po hy Show on the Wednesday of Show weekwith the aim of enhancing the Connemara Pony Show by attracting increased numbers of ponies,

competitors and spectators. I>

Loose Jumping Final for Four Year Old Connemara Mares

~ Aim: To provide an incentive to owners to consider competing mares in performance classes.

Prize Fund of €l000.


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S h ow ju mp in g o m pet it io n fo r iv e Y ear O ld o nn em ara P o nies

PrizeFundof €lS00.

Feas ib ili ty St ud y re: Ind oor Ar ena

There is no indoor arena in Connemara. Some parts of Connemara are sixty miles from an indoo rarena. The CPBSfeels an indoor arena would be of huge benefit to pony owners as it would al lowthem to train yea r round and would also afford the CPBSthe cppo rtunltv to run co mpe titions duri ng

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the Winte r. As Con nemara is a huge region a feas ibility stlJd¥::~ould have to be carrie d out toQI , ;;:;::>~;;:

identify the best locat ion for an indoor and also to ascerta iH.J~~:;~iabilityof one . The cos t of carryingout this feasibility stud y would be €4390. :

Hoof Wall S e paration Dise ase

The CPBSwishes to encourage all b ~ '1~derso tes t tJ l:~ir:~Rf;~~,~i,~gtock. Currentl~:,the tes t is on lyavailable through UC Davisin the u~1{~~:~~~tatest a co ~t';~;~;~§'5pprox . Although this disease is ofhuge concern to breeders , once the g ~~~i~r~:::ia~~~~tt~dt can :C~~:~~e~ ilyanage d. Weather bys hope tohave this test availa ble in late 2015. Ho wever t h:i~;~~:ea ,nsnot Mb?reeding seaso n will have passedby. The CPBSwould Iik~4~:;:fl:tndpar t of th ls .test fo/br..ee qer:s t6 ,d~monst rate the importa nce of itand to encourage bree :~~Y~l6'·~~:~iI.,pft .

. :_ ~ -7::~r~ .~: ~ : ~ ~ ; ~,

E d u ci~ i l~;1:; 4 ~ ~ i ~:{ ~ ~ L : ;~: i lr~.The C P.SS;;planso run a~:'e f;ldofY,Et~f-:,.conferenceocusing on educat ion . The con ference wouldinclude ~Jir~s.uch as deve ;j~p.lnga V J~~idwides trategy for HWSD,f indings of revie w comm ittees,marketing ~:X~~p'J~motion.t i~ :;~~~i:matedt~'iswould cost €SOOO ,ncluding h iring a venue, adver tisingand guest spea k~Ii~~:·c, . r ; : : · ,

. : : ~~ ; ; ; ~~ ; ; ~~- : ;~ : : : ~~ iarketing Promotio n

There is a large sup ply of Connemara ponies i n Ireland a t the mome nt and new markets must beidentified. A number of salesyards hold dedicated ••Connemara pony sales inc luding Clifden, Cavanand Goresbridge . The CPBSwould ideally like to be in a position to offer financial support to theseorganisations in their marketing efforts. We also offer them sup portin terms of online ma rketing.

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The Connema ra Pon y Elite SalesGroup ran its first elite performance sale in 20 14. The sale is run b ya group of vol unteers and its ob jective is to raise the profile of the Connemara pony. The g roup isrunning three qua lifiers for ponies during Apri l and the Salewill be he ld in Clifden on the is of May.

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The format will be similar to the Goresbridge Go for Gold Sale. We would like to be in a position to

offer the CPESG{SOOOfunding towards the marketing and promotion of their sale.

Arena Par ty Training

The CPBS hosts a number of events annually including inspections, the Connemara Pony Festival,

Connemara Pony Spring Festival, Connemara Pony Christmas show and education clinics. We feel we

should have a trained arena party who would steward at these events. It is proposed to train a group

of ten people.

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Connemara Pony Breeders Society

long Term Plan

Breed Im pro vem ent Pro gr am me

The CPBSis committed to breed improvement within the Connemara Pony population. Ponies areclassified according to their merits at inspections . An independent review committee, chaired by Dr .Jack Murphy, has recently been formed to examine a ll areas of Classification a nd inspections . It isexpected this review will becompleted by early J une 2015 .

We plan to emba rk on an Inspectors t raining course simila r to,tn~brun b y HorseSpo rt Ire land and to ,~:>:,< ;;::c

put a pane l of inspecto rs in place fo r five years. It isestima t~d;;~~rs: illcost (15 ,00 0.;; ~:: ; : : : :< ;~~:. ~< :~~ :~

, . .r ,

Sho wgr o un ds D e velop m e nt

Asthe Connema ra PonyShowcontinues to g row, the GPBSpla q::tcfinvest (200,000 in developing theShowg round's ove r the next ten years ~


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celebrating the Connemara pony . Planning is at a very early stage but we would hope to secure

significant funding for this. Celebrations may include the opening of a visitor centre in Clifden.

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Connemara Pony Breeders' SocietyCouncil Meeting Minutes 9/3/15

Venue: Westwood House Hotel, Newcastle, Galway @7.30pm

Attendance: Mr. Tom MacLochlainn (President), Mr. Jim Mullaney (Vice-President), Mr . PadraicHeanue (Treasurer), Mr . John Riordan (Hon. Secretary) , Mr. Noel Brett, Mr. Ciaran Curran, Mr .Gear6id Curran, Mr . Pat rick Keaney, Mr. Michael Laffey, Mr. Jerry Mahon, Mr. Keith Murray, Mr.Andy Q'Donoghue, Mr. Pierce Q'Malley, Mr. Dermot Power, Mr. Frank Quinn

Also in Attendance: Ms. Niamh Philbin (Secretary)

Apologies: Ms. Jane Andrews, Mr . Mossie Joyce, Mr. John Varley

Order of Business.~

The President opened the meeting and said Mr . Joyce had requested putting the tape recorder onthe agenda but it was accidentally omitted and he asked the Council to include it on the agenda. This

was agreed.

A vote of sympathy was extended to the families of Deirdre Scott, Patrick Walsh, Mrs. Heffernan andRobert Putz.

Adoption of Minutes

The adoption of minutes was proposed by Mr. Q'Malley and seconded by Mr. Mullaney.

Matters Arising from Minutes

Mr. Brett asked are there any safeguards in place this year in relation to inspections. Mr. Mullaneysaid the inspectors in 2014 did a good job and -that he felt Mr. Brett was making an allegation thatsomething was done wrong. Mr. Brett said he would have a suspicion and was told the week beforeMullingar inspections that a pony would be failed. Mr. Mullaney said you can't tie innuendo andrumours to fact and everything was above board. Mr. Quinn asked was Mr. Mullaney happy withwhat happened to two particular ponies. The President said individual ponies cannot be discussed.Mr. Mullaney said he was happy with how the inspections were carried out.

Mr. MacLochlainn said a stand at the Royal Cornwall show was mentioned at the last meeting but itis too late to book a stand.

The Secretary said she contacted the Swedish Society and they are working with their Ministry on

their Studbook rules.

Sub -Committee Reports

Mr. Mahon reported that the Memo and Arts committee have met seven times to date and are nowpreparing the first draft of the document which they hope to have ready by April . Mr. Riordan askedwill the draft be circulated in advance of the meeting. Mr. Mahon said it will be put on a screenduring a special meeting and a presentation will be given on it.


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Ms. Philbin said the marketing committee met and is planning on conducting on-line research on theweek of the Connemara Pony Festival to see what improvements can be made. The committee arealso working on the Swedish and Danish celebrations and will contact tour operators in thesecountries.

The Secretary circulated an up to date Profit and Loss account. Mr. Heanue said memberships are upslightly on last year, creditors are {28,OOO, debtors are {7000, {4500 of which he hopes to collect.He said invoices need to come in on time and asked the sub committees to submit budgets.

Mr. Mullaney reported that the inspection committee met on 15/2/15 and it was decided that acomplete fresh look at Inspection Procedures be implemented involving a complete new processknown as Linear P rofiling where a panel of 10 or 12 Inspectors would be trained in this system, andthat panel would be used for all Inspections, starting in 20 ~6 for a period of 5 years. Mr . Mullaneysaid a detailed costing budget has been submitted to the DAFM for funding. He said the committeefelt this was a necessary step in operating a modern fit for purpose transparent system and subjectto funding and approval by Council, the training would beg in on Saturday 30th May and continue onthree further Saturdays, with a one day refresher course on 20 March 2016 before the inspections

start. It would be envisaged that a further panel would be trained -in the intervening years and thesystem would also take pedigree into consideration.

Mr. Power said the International committee met and Mr. Heanue had notified Mr. Power that he nolonger wished to participate on the committee . The committee agreed that Mr. Power should act asChairman . Mr Jim Mullaney was eo-opted on as a member subject to Council approval . This wasproposed by Mr. Riordan and seconded by Mr. C . Curran. Mr. Power reported that the minutes of theInternational Committee A.G.M . held in August were discussed in detail and the committeerecognized the need to encourage progress and support the daughter Societies. He said it was agreedto apply for grant aid to assist the SOciety to travel to meet the daughter Societies and it was agreedthat there was a need to seek a comprehensive overview of each Society. Mr. Power added that theagenda for the Executive meeting at the end of March in Clifden was discussed.

Membership Applications

Mr. Heanue proposed and Mr. Brett seconded that the new membership applications be accepted(App. A).

Presidents Address

Mr. MacLochlainn said two members have missed three consecutive meetings, Mr. Bolger and Mr.Varley and it is up to the Council to give special leave. Mr. Heanue proposed they be given specialleave. This was seconded by Mr. a'M~lIey. Mr. Quinn said the rule is a member can only miss three

meetings if they have a doctor's cert. Mr. Riordan asked is Ms. Andrews a resident in Ireland. Mr .Laffey said she is living in England . Mr. Riordan said she shouldn 't be a director if she is a non-resident . It was agreed to write to Ms. Andrews to seek clarification and to seek legal advice on thematter.

The President informed the meeting that Carol O'Connor will be going on maternity leave on the ioof April and interviews had taken place to find a replacement. He suggested that the new personwould start on April is and would have five or six days training before this date. This was proposedby Mr. Power and seconded by Mr . Riordan . Mr. MacLochlainn thanked Jim Mullaney and MaryCoyne for conducting the interviews.

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Mr. MacLochlainn said Claire Commins who previously did work on the database recommendedTony Hegarty to look at the database,which he did and suggestedthat he would spendthree days inthe office with the staff and draw up a spec which could be usedto obtain quotes at a cost of €1200.Mr. Riordan asked why did the CPBSnot go with the person who had done the HSIdatabase. Mr.MacLochlainn said there was an annual €10,OOOmaintenance contract attached which the officerswere unsure about. Mr. Power said the person who did the HSIdatabase said to look at the HSIdatabase and see what is needed and Emer McNamara travelled to HSIto see their database andsaid it was good and to go for the same. Mr. Quinn proposed getting Mr. Hegarty to do the spec andthen get three quotes for the database. This was seconded by Mr. Laffey.

The President said there was a slight change to the proposed bus tours and one would now travelfrom Ballyconneely to Casheland the other to Letterfrack and Renvyle.

•Mr. MacLochlainn told the meeting that Dr. Jack Murphy will attend the Mullingar colt inspectionsad will then attend the next Council meeting for suggestions. Hecirculated the Irish Draught reviewand said the Council may get some ideas from it . Mr. Quinn said ,they will have to broaden thecommittee to 15 or 20 people . Mr. MacLochlainn said the Council can put proposals to them. Mr .

Quinn said this is the most important thing in the lifetime of the Connemara pony and he wasproposed and seconded to go on the committee at the last meeting. Mr. Brett said Mr . Q'Malleysuggested the committee contact Mr. Quinn in relation to the proposal he made at the last meeting.The President said he sent Mr. Quinn's proposal to Dr . Murphy. Mr. MacLochlainn asked if the nextmeeting could be held in Loughreato facilitate Dr. Murphy. Thiswas agreed.

The President explained to the Council that the CPBShave a seat on the HSIbreeding sub-board andthe main issuesbeing discussedat the moment are: -, .

• Innovation Fund - a fund for new competitions, the CPBShave applied for funding for a loosejumping competition for four year old mares and for a showjumping competition for fiveyear old ponies.

• Discussion Groups- groups of fifteen people and a facilitator will be formed for knowledgetransfer schemesand the facilitators will be trained by Teagasc.

• Intercity Series- HSIis trying to get showjumping into cities and plan to run competitions inDublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and as part of the Galway leg they hope to include aConnemara Pony Puissance.Mr. Power suggested running it in Salthill .

• Marketing Manager - HSIis currently recruiting a marketing manager to run it's marketingdivision modelled on Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

Mr. MacLochlainn said there are currently 27 HSI affiliates and that if the CPBSwas to becomeaffiliated it may be better placed for funding and accessto the marketing manager. He suggestedinviting Prof. Pat Wall to address the ..,Councilin the near future. Mr Mahon proposed this be done

and start to establish a link. Thiswas seconded by Mr. Brett.

The President told the Council that he is travelling to Bunclody on Wednesday to meet with theSouth Eastbreeders group. ~

o r r e s p o n d e n c e

Mr. Mullaney informed the Council that a pony is being exported to the Uk and a private inspectionwas carried out on Saturday.

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A letter dated from 2/2/15 Mr. Noel Brett was discussed. The P resident said Mr. Musgrave wasappointed by the Council six or seven years ago. Mr. Brett said the complaint shouldn't have beeninvestigated by Mr . Musgrave and the procedure wasn't adhered to. Mr . Power said legal advice canbe got on it . Mr. MacLochlai nn said he would look into it and get back to Mr. Brett in a week or two.Mr. Power said he wanted an apology from Mr. Brett. Mr. Brett refused and said while his letter mayhave contained inaccuracies it was substantially correct.

Tape Recorder

Mr. G. Curra n proposed bring back the tape recorder. This was seconded by Mr . Riordan. Mr.MacLochlainn sa id he asked for it to be removed at the first meeting as he wanted to invoke sometrust within the Council . Mr. Brett proposed the tape recorder would not be brought back. This wasseconded by M r. Laffey. A vote took place by show of hands with the majority voti ng in favour of Mr .

•G. Curran's p roposal .

Mission Statemen t

Mr. MacLochla inn spo ke abou t the need for the CPB $ to have a rnlsslon statemen t. He said it shouldbe one sentence outlin ing what the CPBS is working towards and read out the follo wing example :He as ked Counci l members to reflect on it and a dd to it if necessary. .

Lo ng Ter m an d Short Ter m Pl an

The President told the meeting that he, Mr . Heanue and Ms . Philbin met James Kennedy and DamienMcDonald from HSI in Athlone and went through what the CPBS 'h.opes t o achieve in the future. Hesaid long te rm the CPBS wants to implement a b reed improvement programme an d the rev iewcommittee is the first step in this; upgrade the showgrounds; look at conducting a feasibility studyon the construction o f an indoor arena and celebrate the centenary of the CPBS. S hort term, Mr.MacLochla inn said the CPBS plans to introduce new competitions, promote the Connemara pony,conduct resea rch on HWSD, organ ise an educational conference, and train an arena party .Mr. Q'Donogh ue said HWSD is not a disease but a genetic fault. Mr. Quinn said you w ill know what itis if it is not tested .

Mr. Power said the 2014 PRSI is not included on the profit and loss account . The Secretary explainedit showed as a liability in the 2014 accounts and the 2015 PRSI to date is included on the profit andloss account circulated .

Mr. Quinn asked what the legal fees •.on the accounts are. The Secretary said they relate to Linda

Kavanagh's case .

Mr. Power said the planning pe rmission for the site has been extended.

~Mr. Mahon asked that a special Council meeting be held for the Memorandum and Articles review.Mr. Q'Malley suggested this be at a weekend. This was agreed. ~-

Mr. Riordan asked if a different course builder will be used for the 2015 High Performance final . Mr.G. Curran said yes .

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Mr. Brett asked why Class two stallions are not allowed in the performance classes at the stallionparade. Mr. MacLochlainn said he is not sure if the classes will go ahead as there are no entries. TheSecretary suggested allowing class two stallions compete in the competitions to increase entries. Mr.C. Curran suggested running a separate day of showjumping competitions. Mr. MacLochlainn said hehopes the review committee will find a fair place for performance ponies in the studbook.

At the request of the President the Secretary gave details of the upcoming Spring weekend includingcolt and filly inspections, a presentation on HWSD, launch of An Capaillfn, the Bartley Q'Sullivanlecture and the stallion parade. Mr . Heanue said Ms. Sheila Ramsay is attending the HWSDpresentation at her own expense. A discussion took place on HWSD.

Mr. C. Curran asked if the meetings could be changed to 8pm. This was agreed .

•There being no further business the meeting was brought to a close.

Signed: _

Tom MacLochlainn, President

Date: _

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Documents

CPBS Mar 2015 Council Meeting Minutes & Draft Plans for the future