On November 11th 2007 the four year old Connemara Pony stallion Wildwych Eclipse galloped into history when he became the first American-bred Connemara Pony stallion ever to complete and pass the most prestigious and sophisticated performance test for pony stallions in North America. It was a remarkable achievement not only for Eclipse, but also American pony breeders and Connemara Pony enthusiasts.
Wildwych Eclipse who stands barely 14.1 HH showed tremendous courage, strength and outstanding character throughout the test, earning not only outstanding scores but exceptionally high praise from all who came to know him.
Our journey with Eclipse began in late 2006 when our then three year old stallion prospect was presented for a certified breeding license with International Sport Horse Registry/Oldenburg North America Sport Pony Division. The inspection for this temporary approval took place at the equestrian park at Starr Vaughn in Elk Grove, California. Eleven sport horse stallions were presented, among them our lone pony stallion, Wildwych Eclipse.
I can remember tears of pride watching as our 14.1 hand stallion grew two inches for every turn on the triangle; no one could have convinced Eclipse he was not 17 HH. Eclipse’s approval was met with much applause, as Chief Executive Officer of the ISR/OLD NA, Ekkehard Brysch, named Eclipse among the best pony stallions of the 2006 tour.
The sport pony division of the ISR is chiefly the brainchild of Mr. Brysch and was instituted with the goals of producing a very special type of pony. As an un-started three year old, Eclipse’s approval was based solely on the scores he received for his conformation, quality and correctness of his gaits as well as free jumping ability. To date, Wildwych Eclipse is one of only three pony stallions to be awarded a certified breeding license by the ISR/OLD NA Sport Pony Division since 2002.
The term “Sport Pony” connotes many singular visions of an ideal. Some proponents sing only the praises of our European counterparts, while others prefer only a certain unique individual or crossbred type. Our Wildwych Eclipse is a Connemara Pony and as such representative all of the strong, ruggedly beautiful traits, natural athleticism, high intelligence, soundness and generosity of spirit that define Native Breeds . Eclipse carries with him more than five generations of pure pony breeding and is not now–nor ever will he be–a small warmblood horse; yet his enthusiasm and talents are inestimable. Eclipse is a PONY! It was quite an honor for him to be selected for the performance test and we were surely blessed with the means to provide him with the opportunity to participate.
Bearing this in mind, the final decision to take Eclipse to the test was not made easily nor taken lightly as it meant shipping our stallion more than 2300 miles away from home. There were no guarantee’s of passing or and the possibility of serious injury or illness so far from home was frightening. I can remember telling myself over and over again:”they chose him.”
It is important for breeders to recognize that the performance test is not a competition, but a true test for the selection of pony breeding stallions. It was not a test for Connemara Pony stallions; it was a performance test for sport pony stallions, equivalent to European pony stallion tests. The level at which pony stallions are expected to perform is above the level of a USEA recognized Novice Horse Trial.
Eclipse began preparing for the performance test - and lifetime licensing - in the spring of 2007. Our only instruction was to insure Eclipse was fit when he arrived in Ohio – not much to go on! With this paltry guidance in mind, now four year old Eclipse was set on a course of training that would prepare him both mentally and physically to meet the challenges of the thirty day test.
Early on it was difficult to coordinate Eclipse’s training schedule with the demands of family and the start of the competition and breeding seasons. As the wife of hardworking farrier, and mother of one singularly beautiful small child, my “in the saddle” time as well as meeting Eclipse’s breeding commitments was limited to the three hours each morning during preschool hours. Even so, by April Eclipse had attended his first Cross Country Clinic and was entered in his first USEA recognized Horse Trial. In 2007, Wildwych Eclipse placed in the top three on three occasions, and qualified for our USEA Regional Eventing Championships
It was a remarkable first season for Eclipse with wins in both Dressage, and USEA recognized horse trials. We also made our annual pilgrimage to our Regional Breed Show where Eclipse capably defended his titles. Under judges Linda Impey (UK) and Heather Sheratt (CAN), Wildwych Eclipse was awarded “Best In Show” (Connemara and Mountain & Moreland combined), Supreme Champion Connemara and claimed the ‘Custusha’s Cashel Rock’ Perpetual Trophy for the Connemara Stallion collecting the most points in both Breed and Performance classes combined.
The performance test for ponies consists of a 30 day training period and a final performance test. In North America, the pony stallion test focuses largely on evaluating the interior qualities of a stallion candidate under standardized conditions. In addition to ride-ability, qualities such as character, temperament, soundness and willingness to work, are evaluated and scored by the training director and test riders. During the final three days of the test, an expert ground jury gives additional scores for free jumping, jumping under saddle, basic gaits, ride-ability, and cross country jumping. In order to obtain a lifetime breeding license with International Sporthorse Registry Sport Pony Division, stallions must successfully complete and pass the 30-Day Test with a score of not less than 60%.
Our four year old stallion, Wildwych Eclipse more than met the minimum requirement, passing with a score of 71.25 %. Eclipse earned not only exceptional scores but also very high praise from all who came to know him. Perhaps the highest praise coming from the training director, Helmut Schrant, who awarded Eclipse a nine for character, and eight’s for temperament, ride-ability, willingness and ability to work.
In North America, the Sport Pony Performance Test is considered ’state of the art’ for modern pony breeding programs and stallion selection. The level of expertise of the official ground jury is unparalleled in the US. The 2007 Performance Test for pony stallions, combined the expertise of training director Helmut Schrant (US), and international judges Cord Wassmann (GER), Dieter Felgendreher (GER/US), and Gerd Zuther (GER/US). Mr. Wassmann currently serves as president of the stallion licensing commission for the Verband Hannoverscher Warmblutzuechter (Hanoverian Horse Breeders (GER)) and is instrumental in Stallion Licensing (including Pony Stallions) for the principle breed registries in Germany. Mr. Felgendreher judging assignments include: Dressage at Devon, the Canadian Sport Horse Championships, the California Breeders Futurity, and the Holstiener Mare Show Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Mr. Zuther is an official US Dressage Federation Sport Horse Breeding Judge who conducted the North American Stallion Performance Testing from 1987 to 1995. I am proud to say that experts agree, our four year old Connemara Pony stallion Wildwych Eclipse is indeed a “VERY NICE PONY!”
Taking Eclipse to the 2007 Performance Test for Pony Stallions took commitment, it took faith and above all else a firm “belief” in the fitness, quality, and character of our pony. Over the last three and a half years Wildwych Eclipse has taught us never to underestimate the virtues of good pony. He exemplifies them all. Wildwych Eclipse is a vivacious character, with the will to succeed regardless of how high the bar is raised.
Successful completion of the 2007 Performance Test for Sport Pony stallions was remarkable achievement not only for Eclipse, but also provides proof positive that American pony breeding programs are capable of producing ponies that exceed international breeding standards.
Authors Note:
The response from American Pony Breeders and Connemara Pony enthusiasts has been nothing short of overwhelming and Max and I wish thank all of you for your support and enthusiasm. We would be remiss not to mention Mary Stewart Prewitt of Wildwych Connemaras in Elizabeth, Colorado, breeder of Wildwych Eclipse. Eclipse is the son of Wildwych’s foundation stallion Glenormiston Flurry Knox out of Wildwych Dreamtime.
Wildwych Eclipse joined our family as a weanling colt and has been produced and shown entirely by his amateur owners Max and Lisa Gerdes of Redbud Ranch in Northern California.
How cool is that!?–We’ve been asked to submit a short paragraph about our pony stallion Wildwych Eclipse for a book which is currently in production and will be released sometime in November. Now theres another first for team Redbud! 
