SIT tutor selected to judge international pony show in Ireland
Southern Institute of Technology Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Tutor Sheila Ramsay has been selected as a judge for the world renowned annual Connemara Pony Show taking place in Clifden, County Galway, Ireland on the 21st August this year. Ramsay who is the first New Zealander to be selected for this honour has been given the responsibility of judging one ring of the in-hand classes.
Ramsay explains that the “in-hand classes are where ponies are shown in-hand on a lead as opposed to being ridden. They are judged on breed type and conformation. Consequently there are many classes covering foals still ‘at foot’ shown with their mothers (dams), through to senior (over 19 years of age) classes for mares and stallions.” To allow for this large number of classes and over 600 individual ponies multiple rings are judged simultaneously. The event is organised by the Connemara Pony Breeder’s Society based in Clifden and is the largest Connemara Pony Show in the world which attracts visitors from around the world.
Ramsay recognises the honour and responsibility of being invited as a guest judge saying “It is an honour to be invited and as the first person from New Zealand to be asked to judge at the competition I am aware of the responsibility I carry on behalf of the Connemara Pony Society of New Zealand and the wider equine community in New Zealand.”
Ramsay will also travel to Austria and Germany prior to the competition as part of her research into the Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) using the ‘Connemara model’. Ramsay explains that “the ‘Connemara model’ is the genetic mapping which has determined the mutation which causes Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) in the Connemara Pony. HWSD is possibly also implicated in similar hoof problems reported in the Lipizzaner, Lusitano, Haflinger and Highland breeds. What we will be looking at is whether the same or similar mutation shows up on the genomes of these breeds.
Pedigree mapping will also be involved as a predictor, alongside the genetic work.” Ramsay will be meeting with appropriate state and private studs in an effort to enrol their populations in the research. Researchers from the prestigious Bannasch Laboratory will also be skyped into these meetings.
SIT Trades Programme Operations Manager Therese Doyle says “Sheila’s enthusiasm for conducting evidence based research has broadened her network of colleagues to a global scale. This can only benefit SIT, the Vet Nursing department and tutors and students that she works with. We are looking forward to hearing about the latest research findings and experiences when Sheila returns from the Conference in Ireland. She’s demonstrated to students that you can be the driver of your own career and that the world is your oyster.”
Southern Institute of Technology Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Tutor Sheila Ramsay has been selected as a judge for the world renowned annual Connemara Pony Show taking place in Clifden, County Galway, Ireland on the 21st August this year. Ramsay who is the first New Zealander to be selected for...
Southern Institute of Technology Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Tutor Sheila Ramsay has been selected as a judge for the world renowned annual Connemara Pony Show taking place in Clifden, County Galway, Ireland on the 21st August this year. Ramsay who is the first New Zealander to be selected for this honour has been given the responsibility of judging one ring of the in-hand classes.
Ramsay explains that the “in-hand classes are where ponies are shown in-hand on a lead as opposed to being ridden. They are judged on breed type and conformation. Consequently there are many classes covering foals still ‘at foot’ shown with their mothers (dams), through to senior (over 19 years of age) classes for mares and stallions.” To allow for this large number of classes and over 600 individual ponies multiple rings are judged simultaneously. The event is organised by the Connemara Pony Breeder’s Society based in Clifden and is the largest Connemara Pony Show in the world which attracts visitors from around the world.
Ramsay recognises the honour and responsibility of being invited as a guest judge saying “It is an honour to be invited and as the first person from New Zealand to be asked to judge at the competition I am aware of the responsibility I carry on behalf of the Connemara Pony Society of New Zealand and the wider equine community in New Zealand.”
Ramsay will also travel to Austria and Germany prior to the competition as part of her research into the Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) using the ‘Connemara model’. Ramsay explains that “the ‘Connemara model’ is the genetic mapping which has determined the mutation which causes Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) in the Connemara Pony. HWSD is possibly also implicated in similar hoof problems reported in the Lipizzaner, Lusitano, Haflinger and Highland breeds. What we will be looking at is whether the same or similar mutation shows up on the genomes of these breeds.
Pedigree mapping will also be involved as a predictor, alongside the genetic work.” Ramsay will be meeting with appropriate state and private studs in an effort to enrol their populations in the research. Researchers from the prestigious Bannasch Laboratory will also be skyped into these meetings.
SIT Trades Programme Operations Manager Therese Doyle says “Sheila’s enthusiasm for conducting evidence based research has broadened her network of colleagues to a global scale. This can only benefit SIT, the Vet Nursing department and tutors and students that she works with. We are looking forward to hearing about the latest research findings and experiences when Sheila returns from the Conference in Ireland. She’s demonstrated to students that you can be the driver of your own career and that the world is your oyster.”
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