LOWER pony numbers and a marked increase in foreign buyers were the talking points at the most recent Connemara pony sale in Clifden, Co Galway. A large attendance of buyers from Britain, France, Holland, Belgium and Denmark resulted in a much improved trade for broken and ridden ponies since the last sale in February, according to sales manager Padraig Heanue. However it was an Irish buyer who paid the top price of the sale for a four-year-old dun gelding.

Rachel Farrell from Kilkenny who paid €5,100 for lot 177, a broken and ridden gelding consigned by Michael Hoare from Galway. His son Sean Hoare secured €4,600 for lot 178, another broken and ridden four-year-old dun gelding, who was knocked down to British buyer Tom McManus.