Galway Bay fm newsroom - This coming week will see the Connemara Pony Breeders Society hold its 96th Annual Show in Clifden since the inception of the event in 1923.
The three day Show will feature intense competition among the best ponies of the Connemara breed but, outside of the Show Ring, there is intense competition for five places on the Society's Council.
The Connemara Pony Show events in Clifden begin early this coming week.
There is a tour to well known pony locations west of the Corrib and the International Society meets in Clifden on Tuesday.
The ponies take centre stage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the Show will be officially opened by MEP, Maria Walsh who recently won a seat in the European Parliament.
In the background there will canvassing for an election closer to hand which has produced a surprisingly high number of candidates this time around.
The Connemara Pony Breeders Society Council has 20 members.
Interest appeared to dwindle last year when 3 seats were left vacant because of a shortage of candidates.
No so this time.
There are eleven candidates for five seats on the Council in the Connacht region with eight contestants based west of the Corrib.
Voting is by post and the result will be known next month.
