Circe's Foil

Grange Finn Sparrow x Bluebird's Merry Chase

Details:

The last daughter by the legendary Grange Finn Sparrow.

Breed: Connemara Pony
Gender: Mare
Color: Buckskin
Height: 14.1 h
YOB: 2000
Registered: American Connemara Pony Society
Bred to: Dexter Leam Pondi
Registration Number: M 1920 XXXVIII

Biography:

Circe's Foil is the last purebred daughter by the legendary Grange Finn Sparrow. We are extremely grateful to Jeanette and Frank McClendon for giving us the opportunity to have Circe in our breeding program. We would also like to thank Teresa Croce, the young woman who put so many fine rides on Circe, and proved without a doubt that Circe is a superb competitor and athlete; a willing partner that is game and brave to the fences. My first pony was a cross-bred mare sired by Grange Finn Sparrow. She was given to me by my husband as a birthday present and very sadly died far too young in a tragic accident. I loved her dearly and I am so thrilled to have another Grange Finn Sparrow daughter at the farm.

2010 - Champion Large Pony Division, Gold Cup Steeplechase, Warrenton, Virginia (Beat every Thoroughbred across the finish line except 2!!)
2009 - Reserve Champion Large Pony Division Jr. Steeplechase Racing
2009 - 4th & 7th USPC Championships
2009 - 4th Fair Hill International (President's Cup)
2009 - Champion, 3'6" Division - Virginia Region

Sire Info

Sadly, Grange just passed away on August 4th, 2010 at the grand old age of 35, leaving behind a legacy of talented offspring who’ve competed at the top levels of eventing for years. Born in Ireland in 1975, by Coosheen Finn and out of Dun Sparrow, he was bred by Lady Maria Levinge. Originally exported from Ireland to Austria, Pat Lyne credited him (in her book) for successfully introducing the Connemara to Austria. He came to the United States in the 80′s; I think somewhere between ’85-’87. Several different children did jumpers with him including Nancy Davidson, Bruce & Carol’s daughter. He was also shown in the hunter ring, and would even breed mares back at the barn in between divisions. He hunted with more than 6 hunts in WV, VA and PA, and was hunted by Bruce Davidson. Tootie told me that folks would be skeptical that he could keep up with the hunt, but many times at the end of the day, he (and a couple of his offspring) would be the only ones left in the hunt field, still going strong. She also described the thrill of taking a 4-board fence with him, 10 abreast with local steeplechase horses. He was ridden well into his 20′s and would often give small children riding lessons. He was pony sized, I believe a little over 14.1. (Reprinted from the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of the American Connemara Pony Society Magazine) · 1978 In Hand Champion at Clifdon · 2 times the top scoring Grade A Pony in Ireland · 2nd Place at his one and only 3-day event at the Preliminary Level – in Austria · 1995 An Tostal Hall of Fame Trophy o An ACPS award presented in recognition of a career of outstanding achievement, both competitive and noncompetitive, of a purebred Connemara stallion. · 2008 Tooreen Laddie Award o An ACPS award presented to an outstanding Connemara stallion which has made a positive influence on the breed through his offspring. Grange Finn Sparrow’s offspring have been successful in eventing, dressage, AA jumpers in Europe and the U.S., pony hunters, and even preliminary level combined driving. He’s been on the leading sires list for eventing for years, making the top 10 several times. He’s also been on the leading sires list for Hunter Ponies. In 2010 at least 5 of his offspring competed at the American Eventing Championships.

Grange Finn Sparrow

Dam Info

Bluebirds Merry Chase was the 2001 Virginia Hunter Pairs Series Champion. Merry Chase fox-hunted with her owners’ daughter, leading the first flight for the Middleburg-Orange County Pony Club Beagle Pack. She attended the Pony Club National Championships in Lexington, KY where she finished 12th in the entire country. Merry Chase’s dam, Abbeyleix Bluebird, was awarded the 2000 Broodmare Hall of Fame Award by the ACPS. Abbeyleix Bluebird was Champion at Clifdon and Royal Dublin. She has impacted Connemara breeding through her offspring world-wide: in Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, and the United States and Canada. Circe’s dam-sire, Bobby Brown, was a 14.1 hand gray Connemara imported from Ireland. In 1981 he was 2nd place in the Stallion Class at the Clifdon Show. He is also a recipient of the ACPS An Tostal Hall of Fame Trophy.

Bluebird's Merry Chase

Offspring

Fox Creek's Catch Penny

Circe's Foil - Pedigree

			Carna Bobby
		Coosheen Finn
			Finola of Leam
	Grange Finn Sparrow
			Carna Dun
		Dun Sparrow
Circe's Foil			Wise Sparrow

			Abbeyleix Ri
		Bobby Brown
			Brown Bird
	Bluebird's Merry Chase
			Coosheen Finn
		Abbeyleix Bluebird
			Blue Moon

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