Hackney Ponies at Shamrock Farms

The sweet and beautiful Hackney pony, Be High’s Carry on Lady was the first show pony to win our hearts. Purchased for Ethan to show as a roadster pony, Carry was the epitome of a child’s trusted and game showhorse. Ethan both rode and drove her at county fairs where they won against stiff adult competition the very first year. Unfortunately, an accident at the last show injured Carry when another pony ran into her and she could no longer be shown.

Ethan was heartbroken and when he was offered a black 4 year old stallion with 1 shoe in front and 1 shoe in back, he bought him . Little did we know that this Black pony with the white face and 4 white legs would change our lives forever. Ethan named his pony, The Harlequinn changing it from Magic Prince, and learned to train and show and be a team with a high spirited , high trotting white legged pony with a big motor and a bigger heart.

For 4 years Ethan worked and showed his pony --he was at the barn every day taking care of, driving or bitting Harley and loved going to shows with his colored roadster. They won their share of classes on the County Fair circuit and Ethan dreamed of getting a ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair.

Ethan lost his fight with bone cancer just after his last drive at the Ky State Fair and Harley stood in his stall for several weeks waiting to go to work again.

The following year at the World Championship, Ashley drove The Harlequinn to the Reserve World Championship in the competitive County Fair class—following the other Shamrock entry ,Downtown Brown.

Rob drove Harley to the World Champion Roadster Pony stallion Gelding class and in another year, The Harlequinn was named the World Champion in the County Fair Class with Ashley at the lines.

The rest of the story is that Harley contracted EPM in the early 90’s and with treatment, survived and was able to show but he never regained his total balance and he was supersensitive to noise which made winning a challenge. Harley is now retired to his own paddock and stall with daily peppermints and lots of senior feed and ground hay. He is as loved today as he has been since he first came to be a part of our family. His buddies, Downtown Brown and Just Ernie mosey along the fenceline sharing tender grass and treats and keep their older friend company. Harley writes an annual letter in the Bluegrass Horseman so be sure and keep up on his news each August during the Ky State Fair publication.

Shamrock has had many winning road ponies and several harness and pleasure ponies with wins at the American Royal, Ky State Fair, Lexington and Ohio State Fair along with the county fairs.