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Spruce Meadows Masters Anky Van Grunsven Clinic Battle of the Breeds Team Welsh Pony & Cob --------------------------------- Team Captain: Celia Allpress Team Members: Team Captain: Bridget Wingate Team Members: Team Shetland Pony Team Captain: Joyce Enders Team Members:
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Features > Spruce Meadows 2006 > Battle of the Breeds Team Welsh Pony & Cob ~ Team Connemara 
Team Connemara Reserve Champions in 2003 and 2004, Team Connemara finally brings home the bacon as 2006 Battle of the Breeds Champions. Find out more about the components of the competition. Profiles courtesy Bridget Wingate
Bien Mallin’s Rory O’Sullivan, 8-year-old
bay stallion 
Bien Mallin’s Rory O’Sullivan is an 8 year old 13.2 hands purebred stallion, and could be considered the “anchor” pony for the Connemara team this year. He has been on the team three times before, competing in compulsory skills and jumping with the team always in the ribbons in these events. This year he has expanded his skills and will now also be competing in the obstacle driving and trail classes. At home in British Columbia he competes very successfully in jumping events. For the third year on the team, “Rory” will be ridden by Chelsea McNeil. Chelsea has shown in hunters and jumpers up to grand prix level. For the last 20 years she has competed at Thurnderbird and Milner Downs as well as travelling to Indio. She currently coaches and trains full time in Langley B.C. where she has 6 horses of her own.
Hillside Sassafras , 10-year-old dun mare. 
Hillside Sassafras is a 10 year old purebred dun mare who loves to jump. She is very successful in 4’3” jumping classes although she is only 15 hands high. She has been on the Connemara team twice before in compulsory skills, jumping and had some very speedy barrel racing results in the competition. “Sassy” is being ridden on the team for the third time by Brian Morton who started riding at the age of 6. In 2002 he represented Canada in England and Scotland on the Pony Club Mounted Games International exchange, and has earned his A level in Pony Club. In 2003 he played Polocrosse at the World Cup in Australia. Riding “Sassy” they finished 4th in their first Grand Prix in June this year. They will be competing in compulsory skills, barrel racing and jumping.
Avenn’s Arrin Tara is a 15 year old purebred Connemara mare by Lynfield’s Cormac MacCarthy. She spent many years as a combined driving horse with Debbie Laderoute, and they were short-listed in this event for the Canadian Equestrian Team. Tara has previously been on the Connemara team at the Battle in driving, compulsory skills, jumping and barrel racing. This year she is in the obstacle driving competition. At home at Devonridge Farms near Spruce Grove she is enjoying raising foals. Marsoe LaRose is driving “Tara” for the first time. He trains Morgan cross Pinto driving horses in Aldergrove B.C. Marsoe has shown in both Pleasure and Combined Driving with single, pair and four-in-hand turnouts. He is an Equine Canada certified driving coach, judge and clinician. In the obstacle driving competition he will also be driving “Rory”.
Rills Carrick Fergus , 6-year-old bay gelding. 
Rills Carrick Fergus is new to the Battle competition. He is a 6 year old bay purebred gelding living in Saskatchewan where he is a great ambassador for the breed. He has been competing in hunter, dressage and team penning and at home enjoys cutting and herding cattle on the farm. Owner Elsie Priddy is taking time off from the family grain farm outside Saskatoon to ride “Fergus” in the Battle of the Breeds. As a youth, she started riding in 4-H and Pony Club and has shown in dressage, hunter and western events. Elsie has been a high school teacher and was a 4-H leader for 8 years. She now raises and trains Connemara ponies.
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