Sparrow IRE 855

During the 30ies and 40ies one of the most prolific sires of the connemara breed was Noble Star. He was particularly successful as a producer of mares and one of his earliest daughter was Sparrow. She was born in 1931 and through her only daughter, Lor Sparrow, she became the foundation mare of one of the larger mare families of today. In 1960 Lor Sparrow was Supreme Champion at Clifden show and with her at the show was probably the foal that was to be her first registered progeny and also the one offspring that was to become the most important for the mare family - Wise Sparrow.

Wise Sparrow had 13 foals of whom the first, Wise Cuckoo, was born in 1963. Wise Cuckoo's oldest daughter, Lambay Cuckoo, was exported to the UK where her descendants include amongst others Spinway Kittiwake, Spinway Cormorant and the approved stallion Spinway Kestrel, all of which have been class winners at the British breed show. No less than seven of Wise Cuckoo's sons were approved stallions and they include Sarsfield, successful at the Clifden show during the 70ies; Islam Sparrow Kim, exported to France; Royal Oak who as a gelding participated successfully in Britain in the Performance Award Scheme; and the Irish Silver Cloud. April Cuckoo, Wise Cuckoo's daughter from 1980, was successful at Clifden show, winning her class as a two- and three-year-old, but she had never any registred offspring. Maybe she died at young age? Wise Cuckoo's remaining three daughters have, however, each given rise to an internatioal branch of the family. June Cockoo is the dam of Amaryllis Cuckoo and through her granddam of the Danish stallion Mannin Bay Cuckoo, and June Cuckoo's daughter Suzy is exported to the UK.

Heather Cuckoo, Wise Cuckoo's daughter from 1984 has been successful with a number of top three places at Clifden show crowned by a victory in 1994. Her daughter Mayday Cuckoo started her career by being foal champion in 1994. She was later placed in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and in 1998 she took the championship title at Clifden show. She was then exported to France where she was the mother of amongst others Rhytmick Dundee who won the class for three-year-old stallions at the French national show two years ago. Heather Cuckoo has also provided us with our first Swedish connection, Duncan Cuckoo, who has been a very successful show jumper here and who last year won the Connemara championship for riders over 18. Wise Cuckoo's youngest daughter, Maureen's Cuckoo, also started with a successful career at Clifden show. As a three-year-old she won her class and the championship title. She was later exported to France where she has been a brood mare at the Schueracher stud.

The next Wise Sparrow daughter, Clonross Faun, takes us to Germany. German ponies are always a little tricky as many ponies don't have a stud prefix and the German tradition to stick to a certain letter for mare and stallion lines sometimes means there are several ponies of the same name (and sometimes even father). From Clonross Faun I have, however, found Cait Dun, who won the class for two-year-old fillies at the Northern Germany show in 2007; Simplemens Cool East who is a premium mare, class winner at the 1998 Northern Germany show and Best In Show in 2007; and Simplemens Thundercloud who won the ridden class at the 1999 Northern Germany show.

Wise Sparrow's third daughter got the name Dun Sparrow, and in 1972 she was Supreme Champion at Clifden show. As a brood mare at the Grange stud she was the dam of three stallions: Grange Bobbing Sparrow, class winner at Clifden as a two-year-old and later exported to the UK; the one year younger Grange Finn Sparrow who also won at Clifden as a two-year-old, but who was exported to the USA where he has competed successfully and also sired many offspring who have done the same; and the more anonymous Grange Sand Sparrow. In 1985 all three of Dun Sparrow's sons in the open stallion class at Clifden show where they were placed fifth, sixth and seventh. A feat that is difficult to repeat. In 1995 Grange Finn Sparrow was awarded the An Tostal trophy which is given to successfully competing stallions and in 2008 he recieved the Tooreen Laddie award for an "outstanding foundation sire". In Sweden Grange Finn Sparrow has the Elite mare Moyode Aisling. Looking further among Dun Sparrow's descendants we find names like Grange Anya Sparrow, class winner at Clifden show and our Swedish Grange Flynn Sparrow who has done excellent promotion for the Connemara as an eventing pony. Flynn has also sired a line of successful progeny including young pony finalists, diploma mares and ponies that have been gold awarded in the show ring.

Wise Sparrow's daughter number four was the first at the Ashfield stud, and Ashfield Loyal Sparrow became like her mother a brood mare there. Her offspring have, however, spread across the world. Ashfield Sea Sparrow was exported to France, Ashfield Bay Sparrow to Australia and her son Ashfield Rob to Spain. Ashfield Floating Sparrow was exported to the UK, but continued on to Finland where she was Best In Show at the 1993 Connemara show. Ors Tulira Sparrow was sold to France and Ashfield Stormy Sparrow to Denmark where he has been a successful show jumper. Here in Sweden we have Ashfield Loyal Sparrows granddaughter Clavinstown Missy who has competed in show jumping.

After four daughters Wise Sparrow had four sons. The first, Ashfield Bobby Sparrow, made history in 1980 when he won the junior European championships in show jumping. As a stallion he hasn't had a lot of offspring, but in Sweden we at least have two good jumpers: Some Man for One Man who has been one of the most successful jumpers lately, and the little older partbred Sparrow News, one of the big names in the 90ies. It was, however, Bobby Sparrows younger full brother, Ashfield Sparrow, who had the greatest impact on the Connemara breed. He stood at stud both in Ireland and in the UK and was the sire of ponies such as Shipton Dusky Petrel, supreme champion at the British breed show in 1989; Templebready Starling, reserve champion at Clifden in 1989; Abbeyleix Fionn, several times class winner at Clifden and reserve champion at Dublin in 1992; Ashfield Blue Rock, "ridden premium" stallion in the UK; Ashfield Saile, reserve champion at Dublin in 1988; and of course the Swedish Lofty Roderic and the Elite mare Ashfield Fancy.

Ashfield Sparrow's full sister from 1974, Ashfield Lor Sparrow, was placed at Clifden show four years in a row 1977 - 1980. Her biggest success was as a four-year-old when she won her class, something that was repeated by her half sister Ashfield Grey Sparrow in 1987. Ashfield Lor Sparrow's son Ashfield Mactalla became a stallion in the UK and is the sire of among others Trewithian Bracken who took a team silver for the UK at last year's European eventing championships. Lor Sparrow is otherwise perhaps the one of Wise Sparrow's offspring to have the greatest influence in Sweden. Her son Ashfield Cathal Crobdheargh was third at Clifden show in 1994 and won the class for three-year-olds in 1995. As a four-year-old he participated in the performance test and was second. In 1998 "Ash" was imported to Sweden and last spring he was given an A premium for his conformationally good offspring. Among his offspring are no less than seven diploma mares, gold awarded offspring, young pony finalists and youngstock champions both in Sweden and Finland.

"Ash's" younger sister Ashfield Flash Sparrow came to Sweden as a three-year-old in 1991. At the 1999 breed show she won her class an was gold awarded and last year she was awarded an Elite premium. The oldest son Carnaby Kim Sparrow was second in the first young pony championship and won the show jumping finals the year after. After a couple of years as a show jumper (ninth best show jumping Connemara 2000) he changed direction and became a dressage pony and has since been third and fourth among the dressage Connemaras and won the district championships 2004 and 2009. Carnaby Willie Diamond was exported to Norway where he was approved as a stallion and he has also competed successfully in show jumping. Carnaby Twice Sparrow is a diploma mare and she too has competed in show jumping and Carnaby Sparrow Lad has double awards from the three-year-old test. Flash is also the great grand dam of Gracelin Sparrow with a jumping award from the three-year-old test.

Ashfield Blue Sparrow was born in 1977 and was exported to the UK. As of 2008 as many as nine of her progeny had competed and participated in the British Performance Award Scheme and she was awarded a "Ridden Premium" already in 2002. Most successful of her progeny is perhaps Nyton Miss Georgina who was 7th in the Performance Award Scheme 2000 - 2001. From the daughters Shipton Sky-Lark and Shipton Blue Swallow the tracks continue to France and names like Lassie Schueracher, reserve mare champion at the 2003 French national show. In France we also find Wise Sparrow's youngest son Steel Heaven.

Returning to Sparrow's daughter Lor Sparrow we have daughter number two, Fort Girl, registered as a Blue Eyed Cream. She has not had the same impact as her older sister, but her daughter Fort Pansy, like her daughter Fort Laurel, was exported to Sweden. Before Fort Pansy came to Sweden she had three foals in Ireland. Fort Viola was exported to the UK and her son Cocum Florin won the class for yearling colts at the British breed show in 1982. Of Fort Pansy's Swedish bred foals Primula has competed in show jumping. Fort Laurel was shown in hand a couple of times in Sweden and won her class at a local show in 1980. Fort Girl's daughter Fort Amber was exported to the Netherlands and her son Lough Hill Mick came to Sweden and competed successfully here in the 70ies, mostly in dressage but also in show jumping and eventing.

In 1967 Lor Sparrow had the daughter Sparrow Hill. She is mainly known for her progeny by Abbeyleix Owen. Cuchulainn won the stallion class at Clifden show in 1986 and was second the year after. As a sire he's the father of among others the Clifden class winner Kingstown Silver and Rocky, supreme champion in 1991 and thereafter exported to the USA. Cuchulainn's three years older full sister Silver Sparrow had an amazing showing career and was reserve champion at Clifden show in 1983 and supreme champion two years later. The year in between her son Atlantic Rob won the fial class while she was second in her class. She was later exported to France where she became a brood mare at the Melody stud and the mother of many successful offspring. Harmony Melody was reserve champion at the French national show in 1998, Imperator Melody was youngstock champion in 1999 and champion stallion in 2004 and Kyrielle Melody was supreme champion two years ago. Not a bad record by a brood mare, but then she comes from the Sparrow mare family...

Ashfield Floating Sparrow was born year 1979, breeders is Mr James Jones, she was sold to UK from where she was sold to Finland in year 1992. She was accepted in studbook (Finland) with top marks in the same year and still holds the record for Connemara pony mares in Finland. In year 1993 she was BIS of the breed show and has always received a first prize when shown and been first of her class (in Finland).

Just perfect pony.

Tiina Numminen

Also thanks to Tiina for the photo of Ashfield Floating Sparrow above.

Thanks to Sabine Koste for photos and information about St. Corrie Dun and her descendants.

Return to the mare page

Sparrow IRE 855 (Ire)
Lor Sparrow IRE 1264 (Ire)
Wise Sparrow IRE 2270, NPS 14157 (Ire)
Wise Cuckoo IRE 2714 (Ire)
Owenglin IRE 307 (Ire)
Lambay Cuckoo IRE 3840, NPS 14978 (Ire, UK)
Spinway Seagull NPS G 847 (UK)
Spinway Sandpiper NPS G 994 (UK)
Spinway Kittiwake NPS 17262, IRE 7271 (UK)
Spinway Cuckoo GBRM 794 (UK)
Spinway Curlew Ge 1014 (UK)
Spinway Jay Ge 1468 (UK)
Spinway Cormorant Ge 598 (UK)
Spinway Kestrel GBRS 120 (UK)
Clever Girl IRE 4367 (Ire)
Wise Cygnet IRE 544 (Ire)
Sarsfield IRE 579 (Ire)
Islam Sparrow Kim (Fra)
Bay Cuckoo IRE 7392, GBRM 229 (Ire, UK, Ita)
Spinway Wren GBRM 272 (UK)
Pilgrim's Mythos Ge 494 (UK)
Barnell Sir Galahad Ge 554 (UK)
Royal Oak IRE 753, Ge 331 (Ire, UK)
April Cuckoo IRE 7714 (Ire)
Silver Cloud IRE 811 (Ire)
June Cuckoo IRE 8083 (Ire)
Amaryllis Cuckoo IRE 9261 (Ire)
Caspian IRE G 1875 (Ire)
Peril IRE 10825 (Ire)
Greyglen Misty IRE 12589 (Ire)
Kippure Carmen IRE 13058 (Ire)
Amy of Rickamore IRE 13233 (Ire)
Rickamore Warrior GBRS.2 191 (Ire, UK)
Rickamore Rocky Ge 2193 (Ire, UK)
Mannin Bay Cuckoo CH 99 (Den)
Red Star Bart 03/1368 (Ire)
Roscoe Ge 1934 (Ire, UK)
Finola Cuckoo IRE 9766 (Ire)
Cudgley Stream IRE 13590 (Ire)
Tallyho Smokey IRE 14122 (Ire)
Carnaree Betty IRE 10560 (Ire)
Rhia Dun Jewel IRE 12942 (Ire)
Suzy GBRM 1649 (UK)
Copshawholm Frankie Boy Ge 1558 (UK)
Copshawholm Connaught Warrior Ge 2005 (UK)
Copshawholm Imperial Sky Ge 2007 (UK)
Heather Cuckoo IRE 8509 (Ire)
Toyboy IRE G 1739 (Ire)
Heather Jane IRE 10167 (Ire)
Mayday Cuckoo IRE 10755 (Ire, Fra)
Pearl Cuckoo Dundee (Fra)
Rhythmick Dundee (Fra)
Duncan Cuckoo IRE G 2413, 33-95-5446 (Ire, Swe)
Derrymore Duncan IRE 1136 (Ire)
John's Cuckoo GBRS 136, Ge 2204 (Ire, UK)
Martin's Cuckoo Ge 1810 (Ire, UK)
Maureen's Cuckoo IRE 8799, GBRM 835 (Ire, UK, Fra)
Edison Schueracher (Fra, Ned)
Grace Schueracher (Fra)
Limba de la Free (Fra)
Question de Louna (Fra)
Hadia Schueracher (Fra)
Nando Schueracher (Fra)
Joke Schueracher (Fra)
Kangoo Schueracher (Fra)
Oisin Schueracher (Fra)
Joyce's Cuckoo IRE 895 (Ire)
Clonross Faun IRE 3424 (Ire, Ger)
Clonfoy Y. Gr. (Ger)
Golden Ocean Sonny (Ger)
St. Ottawa (Ger)
St. Charlin (Ger)
St. Corrie Dun (Ger)
St. McGregor (Ger)
Hickory Dun (Ger)
Cait Dun (Ger)
Twinstar Double Cream Sue (Ger)
Candy Dun (Ger)
Twinstar Thunderbird Dun (Ger)
Twinstar Corrie's Thundergirl (Ger)
Catherine (Ger)
St. Caroline (Ger)
Clandy (Ger)
Simplemens Tip Toe (Ger)
Simplemens Thundercloud (Ger)
Simplemens Cool East (Ger)
Simplemens Thunder's Daylight (Ger)
Dun Sparrow IRE 3025 (Ire)
Grange Sparrowhawk IRE G 477 (Ire)
Grange Silvertail Sparrow IRE 5034, NPS 14783 (Ire, UK)
Grange Silver Robin NPS 17374 (Ire, UK)
Burnwood Sparrowhawk Ge 234 (UK)
Burnwood Jackanory Ge 87 (UK)
Burnwood Crackerjack Ge 122 (UK)
Stonelands Magdalena (UK)
Grange Sand Sparrow IRE 589 (Ire, UK)
Grange Bobbing Sparrow IRE 623, NPS 6905 (Ire, UK)
Grange Finn Sparrow IRE 659, USAS 487 (Ire, Aut, USA)
Grange William Sparrow IRE G 1270 (Ire)
Aille Mariepark IRE 8743 (Ire)
Aille Simba IRE G 2018 (Ire)
Grange Joyce Sparrow IRE 8952 (Ire)
Grange Agnes Sparrow IRE 9173 (Ire)
Grange Festy Sparrow IRE G 2042 (Ire)
Grange Fergal Sparrow IRE G 2601 (Ire)
Grange Flynn Sparrow RC 95, 33-99-4818 (Ire, Swe)
Grange Anya Sparrow IRE 15137 (Ire)
Grange Aine Sparrow IRE 17225 (Ire)
Grange Finch USAS 550 (Ire, USA)
Ashfield Loyal Sparrow IRE 4424, NPS 14148 (Ire)
Ashfield Sea Sparrow IRE 6120 (Ire, Fra)
Mickey du Breuil (Fra)
Nahema du Breuil (Fra)
Ashfield Bay Sparrow IRE 6255, AUS 1113 (Ire, Aus)
Shelford Downs Chaffinch AUS G 065 (Aus)
Binnowie Smithy AUS G 256 (Aus)
Ashfield Rob IRE 739 (Ire, Spa)
Ashfield Rocket IRE 768 (Ire)
Ashfield Floating Sparrow IRE 7544, GBRM 615, 108 C (Ire, GBR, Fin)
Leys Lonicera GBRM 925 (UK)
Traveller's Joy GBRM 1362 (UK)
Nyton Master Percy Ge 1698 (UK)
Nyton Master Budwhysir Ge 1960 (UK)
Nyton Master Patrick Ge 2035 (UK)
Nyton Master Joker Ge 2056 (UK)
Aramara Hayfield Sparrow P93-1156 (Fin)
Aramara Jester Sparrow P95-1240 (Fin)
Ors Tulira Sparrow (Fra)
Ashfield Clavinstown IRE 8319 (Ire)
D'Arcy IRE 8960 (Ire)
Clavinstown Missy 33-93-4779 (Swe)
Finn's Lass IRE 11015 (Ire)
Ashfield Miller IRE 831 (Ire)
Ashfield Lucky Sparrow IRE 8455 (Ire)
Ballyorney Bobbette IRE 9435 (Ire)
Ballyorney Dolly Dun IRE 9825 (Ire)
Ballyorney Bird IRE 10116 (Ire)
Ballyorney Oisin IRE G 1909 (Ire)
Ballyorney Finn IRE G 2209 (Ire)
Ashfield Stormy Sparrow IRE 854, CH 54 (Ire, Den)
Ashfield White Sparrow IRE 10887 (Ire)
Ashfield Bobby Sparrow IRE 444 (Ire)
Ashfield Gealbhan IRE 506, 33-71-1114 (Ire, Swe)
Ashfield Dancing Sparrow IRE 549 (Ire, Fra)
Ashfield Sparrow IRE 583, NPS 6342 (Ire)
Ashfield Lor Sparrow IRE 6254 (Ire)
Ashfield Trigger IRE G 1041 (Ire)
Ashfield Misty IRE G 1178 (Ire)
Ashfield Wise Chance IRE G 1154 (Ire)
Ashfield Killowen IRE G 1175 (Ire)
Ashfield Flash Sparrow IRE 8953, RC 723, 33-88-3639 (Ire, Swe)
Carnaby Kim Sparrow 33-93-3952 (Swe)
Carnaby Willy Diamond 33-94-3954, NC 060 (Sv, No)
Carnaby Twice Sparrow RC 950, 33-95-4261 (Swe)
Carnaby True Sparrow RC 1123, 33-99-4785 (Swe)
Carnaby Ted Sparrow 33-03-5418 (Swe)
Stormy Sparrow 33-05-5652 (Swe)
Gracelin Sparrow 33-06-5737 (Swe)
Carnaby Dun Sparrow 33-07-5765 (Swe)
Carnaby Nice Sparrow 33-08-5999 (Swe)
Brunnbys Sebastian 33-00-4740 (Swe)
Carnaby Sparrow Lad 33-05-5646 (Swe)
Carnaby Lor Sparrow 33-08-6001 (Swe)
Carnaby Silver Sparrow 33-09-5936 (Swe)
Ashfield Wise Sparrow IRE 9182 (Ire)
Ashfield Mactalla GBRS 72 (Ire, UK)
Ashfield Lordly Sparrow Ge 723 (Ire, UK)
Ashfield Cathal Crobdhearg IRE 991, 20 IC, 33-92-4468 (Ire, Sv, Fin)
Ashfield Blossom IRE 12525 (Ire)
Ashfield Blue Sparrow IRE 7178, GBRM 55 (Ire, UK)
Shipton Sparrow-Hawk Ge 431 (UK)
Shipton Sky-Lark GBRM 266 (UK, Fra)
Wishfield Serin GBRM 668 (UK)
Fidji Schüeracher (Fra)
Honey Schüeracher (Fra)
Ménestrel Mélody (Fra)
Lassie Schüeracher (Fra)
Nosegay Schüeracher (Fra)
Shipton Blue Swallow GBRM 435 (UK, Fra)
Java Schüeracher (Fra)
Kalypso Schüeracher (Fra)
Offaly Schüeracher (Fra)
Nyton Knight Watchman Ge 433 (UK)
Nyton Sparrow Master Ge 527 (UK)
Nyton Comedy of Errors Ge 528 (UK)
Nyton Music Maker Ge 606 (UK)
Nyton Jack the Lad Ge 636 (UK)
Nyton Miss Georgina GBRM 971 (UK)
Nyton Mister Mistofolos Ge 942 (UK)
Nyton Calamity Jane GBRM 1105 (UK)
Oatfield Curiosity GBRM 1443 (UK)
Nyton Broadway Sparrow GBRM 1132 (UK)
Oatfield Canatel GBRM 1270 (UK)
Nyton Master Showman Ge 1220 (UK)
Nyton Miss Teri GBRM 1730 (UK)
Nyton Master Benjamin Ge 1795 (UK)
Nyton Merlin's Gold Ge 1941 (UK)
Nyton Plum Pudding GBRM 2194 (UK)
Nyton Causing Chaos Ge 834 (UK)
Nyton Master Spy Ge 1077 (UK)
Nyton Master George GBRS 126 (UK)
Nyton Master Jethro Ge 1562 (UK)
Nyton Bluey Twoey GBRM 1824 (UK)
Ashfield Dark Sparrow IRE 7334, GBRM 56 (Ire, UK)
Whiteacre Minstrel Man Ge 190 (UK)
Mannix Mia Sparrow GBRM 395 (UK)
Ashfield Grey Sparrow IRE 8155 (Ire)
Sienna Dawn Sparrow (Ire)
Sienna Bright Sparrow IRE 10444 (Ire, UK)
Glenrock Bailey IRE 21829 (Ire)
Sienna Dusky Sparrow IRE 10793 (Ire)
Sienna Poppy IRE 12484 (Ire)
Sienna Benjamin Sparrow IRE G 2203 (Ire)
Steel Heaven (Fra)
Fort Girl IRE 2429 (Ire)
Fort Pansy IRE 3041, RC 169 (Ire, Swe)
Fort Viola IRE 4267, NPS 15372 (Ire, UK)
Cocum Catsmint GBRM 199 (UK)
Cocum Florin Ge 215 (UK)
Cocum Violet GBRM 320 (UK)
Fort Laurel IRE 4639, RC 170 (Ire, Swe)
Laurenzo 33-74-1122 (Swe)
Kila 33-75-1151 (Swe)
Mister Cliff 33-77-1616 (Swe)
Pansy's Daughter IRE 5373 (Ire)
Albin II 33-74-1118 (Swe)
Primula 33-77-1975 (Swe)
Fort Amber IRE 3579, I 47 (Ire, Ned)
Akker Anka I 223 (Ned)
Texla-Dennis Vb 178 (Ned)
Akker Carlos Vb 52 (Ned)
Akker Debby Vb 85 (Ned)
Akker Ferdinand Vb 188 (Ned)
Lough Hill Mick IRE G 326, 33-68-0316 (Ire, Swe)
Gealbhan IRE 2599 (Ire)
Path of Peace IRE 3372 (Ire)
Lambay Peaceful IRE 5094 (Ire, Ger)
Sparrow Hill IRE 3661 (Ire)
Silver Sparrow IRE 6898 (Ire, Fra)
Atlantic Rob IRE G 1193 (Ire)
Atlantic Sparrow GBRM 662 (UK)
Streonshalh Grey Sparrow GBRM 1107 (UK)
Brise Melody (Fra)
Isn'it d'Almy (Fra)
Concerto Melody (Fra)
Eole Melody (Fra)
Fascination Melody (Fra)
Joli Good de Kerlan (Fra)
Harmonie Melody (Fra)
Sparrow Melody (Fra, Fin)
Impérator Melody (Fra, Ger)
Kyrielle Melody (Fra)
Mandoline Melody (Fra)
Ut Majeur du Treille (Fra)
Valiha de Treille (Fra)
Cuchulainn IRE 789 (Ire)
Ashfield Silver Sparrow IRE G 1502 (Ire)
Woodville Watchman IRE 412 (Ire)

© Jenny Hagenblad, 2010