Excerpts from Chip's 2006 application cover letter, 
ACPS AN TOSTALTrophy

“Connemaras Do It All,” but sometimes their people cannot! This spring, my daughter, Lee Webster, and I sat down to plan the 2006 show season. In discussing *Canal Laurinston’s future, we decided to officially retire him from competition this year. This 50th Anniversary year of the American Connemara Pony Society will also mark the closure of Chip’s competitive career! He is now sixteen, and has “done it all,” to which his competitive records will attest! Beginning with his earliest show ring appearances as a yearling in Ireland, Chip’s competitive career spans over fifteen very happy years.

This year, 2006, I place Chip’s name in nomination for the coveted An Tostal Trophy, for he is a most worthy candidate. His presence on the West Coast is noted and honored in many disciplines as well as his colorful regional appearances to promote the Connemara pony in exhibitions and demonstrations. Nearly all of the points he has earned in competition have been winnings in Open USEF/USDF/USEA recognized competitions, including participation in Area Championships in Dressage and Eventing. Included with application is a list of his competitive outings and successes and a selection of the photos we treasure.

After missing the West Coast Connemara Show for a year, due to family circumstances, Chip made a blazing re-entry to this USEF recognized show in 2005, where he already had been an In Hand and Performance Champion many times over! At the end of the three-day show, Chip was awarded the Custusha’s Cashel Rock Trophy for the Grand Champion Stallion, based on winning the Adult High-Point Dressage Championship, with a score of 71.316, the Jumper Championship, the English Pleasure Championship, and the Regular Working Hunter Reserve Championship. (By only a few points, the Regular Working Hunter Championship was won by Stonybrook Bally Blue, a halfbred mare!). He was also awarded the Grand Champion Purebred Connemara Trophy for cumulative points accrued in all In Hand and Performance classes. The “pearl” of the show was winning Helen and Mel King’s perpetual trophy, “The Consummate Connemara,” awarded to “the Purebred Connemara, regardless of age or sex, who, in the opinion of the judges, exemplifies the breed in type, temperament, conformation, athletic ability and movement, in that order.”

Though many of Chip’s ACPS Achievement Awards points went unrecorded, (due to my own administrative errors!), what IS on record proves him to be an exceptional, very visible athlete and competitor. He has earned the highest ranking award given by the ACPS: the “Award of
Excellence” Plaque for points earned primarily in Open USEF/USDF Three-Star Dressage Shows through Fourth Level.

He has received a Gold Medal in Eventing, Silver Medals in both Hunters and In Hand, and a Bronze Medal in Jumpers, with additional recognition in the disciplines of Driving, Western Pleasure and Foxhunting with the Los Altos Hounds.

In February, 2005, I nominated Chip for inspection by the AWR/ASPR, resulting in another significant achievement the following October. Lee trailered him three hours to the Merced, California inspection site where according to Lee, “Chip never put a foot wrong!” At fifteen, he was the oldest stallion at the site and commanded an appreciative fan club. At one point, the inspectors asked to see Chip free jump, even though Lee had been told in advance that he would not be asked to perform due to his excellent show records. Lee mentioned to the inspectors that he had never free jumped, but they asked her to present him to the gymnastic. Said and done! Chip jumped flawlessly through the line with style, athleticism and grace, earning him the highest marks of the day for jumping ability, as well as for disposition! Chip was granted “First Premium” status in the American SportPony Registry. The officials were so impressed with Chip and his recorded achievements that in January, I was called and thanks to Chip, invited to be the featured breeder for the March, 2006 AWR/ASPR publication, Warmblood News.

For the second year, Chip was invited to represent the Connemara pony in a northern California All Breeds Stallion Parade, January, 2006. He had many guests at his stall, particularly after he and Lee “wowed” the crowds, for he was the only stallion of more than 180 that day who performed a dressage freestyle and then went over fences, with the fences being set incrementally higher with each jump! Lee’s Irish cape was flowing and her smile was HUGE—their time in the arena was definitely “promotional pageantry!” Lee and Chip have been invited to perform at the California State Fair Cavalcade of Horses for the fourth time and will also make an appearance at the Sonoma County Fair this summer. Between the occasional Public Relations outing and hunting with the Los Altos Hounds whenever possible, Lee and Chip promote the Connemara pony with pride!