A SUCCESSFUL connemara stud is opening its gates to visitors on Sunday, June 10.

Brockington Connem-aras is a small stud in North Herefordshire, breeding and producing performance ponies.

It was started in 2003 by Dr Judith Johnson with a locally bred mare, Arrow Peruna. She also has Pilgrims Aeriel, Standen Snow Finch and Gamb-ellera (thoroughbred eventing mare) as brood mares.

Judith also stands Ray and Linda Kellaways stallion, Pilgrims Excaliber (known as Junior) at stud. During his time at Brockington Connemaras Junior is not only used as a working stallion but out of the stud season is ridden and competed by Judith and her daughters. He did so well last year that he won the Williams Trophy - awarded by the British Connemara Pony Society to the stallion gaining most points on the Perfor-mance Award Scheme.

His progeny also do well in the scheme, meaning that he was third in the Progeny rankings. The Stud is holding its open day from 11am when Junior, some of his offspring and wives can be seen.