Thousands of people are in Clifden this week for the annual Connemara Pony Show.
A special parade of past champions has taken place today, celebrating previous winners to mark the centenary of the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society.
The show continues to attract pony enthusiasts and breeders from around the world.
It is a celebration of age-old traditions and first-class performances, showcasing some of the best ponies competing on an international stage.
Crowds have been flocking to the Clifden Showgrounds to witness the ponies demonstrating their natural jumping ability.
They are renowned for their agility and grace combined with the breed's athleticism and natural talent.
Today was tinged with nostalgia as the in-hand pony classes took place.
These competitions allow breeders to present their ponies in-hand, highlighting their conformation, movement and overall presence.
Foals, young stock, mature broodmares, and stallions, took to the rings to be judged throughout the course of the day.
Connemara ponies are celebrated the world over for a number of reasons.
They are an incredibly versatile breed, they can handle extremes of weather, they have easy temperaments and, when it comes to performing, they are in a class of their own.
Most countries competing in the European Championships have a Connemara pony as part of their team.
In celebration of the centenary year, a special parade of past champions will take place.
Clare Silke, a pony owner and member of the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society, said that the parade will offer a "glimpse into the rich history of the breed and will feature Connemara ponies who have made their mark in the show ring over the decades".
"It will be a tribute to the achievements and contributions of these remarkable ponies, honouring their legacy.
"And this evening we will see the coveted Supreme Champion and Broodmare Champion of the Show crowned with these ponies set to go down in the show's history books."
Tomorrow will feature both ridden and working hunter classes.
Fiona Grimes, who breeds the ponies, described today as "our Olympics".
"These competitions demonstrate the breed's capabilities under saddle, visitors to the show will witness a wonderful array of classes including the elegance of ladies' side saddle, the enthusiasm of children starting their equestrian journey, and the bravery of ponies navigating performance working hunter tracks.
"The popularity of the ridden classes in Clifden continues to increase year after year highlighting the continued love and demand of this pony breed with riders of all ages. The annual show in Clifden is our Olympics."
While the competitive action is taking place in the rings, a dedicated kids' corner will cater to the younger audience.
Children can engage in horse show painting, expressing their creativity and love for ponies through art.
They can also create their very own hobby horses, providing an interactive play experience.
Additionally, a special story time reading by the author of 'Showtime in Connemara' Nicola Heanue is set to captivate young minds, transporting them into the enchanting world of ponies and their magical adventures.
On Friday, Connemara ponies will demonstrate courage and athleticism in the High Performance and Puissance classes.
These events are always highly anticipated, as riders and ponies tackle challenging courses and face increasing fence heights with each round.
The Connemara Pony Show concludes on Friday evening with the Parade of Champions.
All winning ponies, handlers and rider combinations are invited to partake in a victory lap leaving from the showgrounds to parade through the streets of the town.
