Meet *Texas Hope, grandsire of Kerrymor Madison

(Click on the photo of the magazine cover to open a larger version of the image.)

Article from Vol. IX, No. 1 - Jan/Feb 1994 American Connemara (stallion issue)

*Texas Hope (1950 – 1977) has sired the largest number of registered foals of any Connemara stallion in America. He was a dark brown, 14.1 hand stallion, by Little Heaven out of Knock Molly. He was a magnificent stallion with great presence and always a gentleman. He was kind and gentle, easily handled by children - a perfect example of Connemara temperament. His photo is on the cover.

Hope was bred by Coleman Keane in the town of Maam in Connemara during the time that the Irish Connemara Pony Breeders Society had approved the use of Little Heaven [Thoroughbred] to infuse new blood in the native ponies. Hope’s blood brothers include Tommy Wade’s super show jumper, Dum Dum; Little Model, a top dressage competitor in the 50s; and the well-known stallion, Carna Dun.

Hope was imported as a two-year-old by the Murchison family in Texas (hence the name), then purchased by William Dolph, Fox Ridge Farm, Virginia, and then, at age 14, by Lynfields Farm, Vermont, where he stood for the rest of his life.

*Texas Hope more than meets the requirement of the *Tooreen Laddie Trophy, which is offered by Mr. And Mrs. Edward Harris for the outstanding foundation Connemara stallion, past or present. Not only has he sired the most foals registered in the American Connemara Stud Book, but many of them have been outstanding performers and are themselves producing outstanding progeny. Some of these achievers are:

Lynfields Kiltuck, a successful performer and conformation champion [and sire of several successful offspring (including Kerrymor Madison)]

Lynfields Killary, grand champion in-hand at Woodstock as a two-year-old

Lynfields Patrick, preliminary combined training winner

Bilbo Baggins, famous driving pony in Virginia

Fox Ridge Starlight, foundation sire at Gilnocky Farm, sire of 1984 *An Tostal winner Gilnocky Ard Righ MacDaire, Gilnocky Drumcliffe, Blue Ridge Jubal Early

Lynfields Cormac McCarthy, noted sire in Alberta, Canada, winner of the 1990 *An Tostal Trophy, competed in Battle of Breeds, eventing and driving

Custusha’s Cashel Rock, many times winner in dressage, hunter, open jumping and combined training on the west coast; 1983 An Tostal Trophy winner; 1984 Camlin Trophy winner; 1988 ACPS Silver Medallion in dressage; model for Breyer model horse

Blue Ridge Super Star, 1981 Camlin Trophy winner, competed successfully in hunter at age 22

Lynfields Proud Hope, 1987 Broodmare Trophy winner, dam of 17 foals including 1992 Camlin Trophy winner, Hideaway’s Greystone Alex, along with Hideaway’s Bantry Hope and Concord River Roaringwater Bay

Dieudonne’s Serafina, successful dressage competitor in Ohio

Orphan’s Hope, 1990 Camlin Trophy winner, successful patient lesson pony, handicapped-riding mount extraordinaire

Kerrymor’s Autumn Hope, 1981 Grand Champion at Woodstock, three times winner of the AHSA/ACPS Clifden Trophy, still competing successfully at A-rated hunter shows

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