IT was a case of déjà vu at Cavan last week, where for the second year in succession a show jumping pony headed the figures at a healthy €10,000. Changing hands privately, shortly after he passed through the ring, his sale was one of several good returns on a day that produced some lively trade. Buyers, keen to get back in harness after a long winter break, thronged to the venue to contribute to a 76% clearance (70%) together with an average of €2,990 (€2,731). It was a good start to the season, and with the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, customers seemed keen to stock up.

It is ironic therefore that having attracted a very sizeable crowd, the catalogue, in line with nationwide trends, was considerably smaller that 12 months ago. It was reduced further by withdrawals, resulting in a predictably lower turnover, as 92 lots came under the hammer in comparison to 138 last year. “I suppose we have hit a point when the breeding dropped back hugely in numbers about five or six years ago,” reflected Cavan’s Stuart Clarke. “As an industry we were bound to hit this spell, but this should improve as the year progresses. Prices have been steadily building, and this should give vendors more confidence and encourage them to sell through the sales in the future.”

SALE-TOPPER

Although the sale-topper was surprisingly led out of the ring unsold at just €5,800, there were plenty of buyers for him outside. Consigned by Co Kerry-based Donie Geaney, and campaigned for the past two years by his sons Jack and Conor, the 138cms Tagoat Lad (16) had clocked up a career total of 1,151 SJI points. A prolific performer and well placed at all the premier shows, the 14-year-old gelding had also carried a young Mikey Pender, under whom he was placed second at the RDS.

Securing the deal at €10,000 by telephone from their home in Scotland, the successful purchasers were Ben and Fiona Holohan, whose son Fergal is a leading light in the British pony ranks. Speaking to The Irish Field, Holohan explained: “Fiona saw videos of this pony of YouTube and was impressed. Fergal is now out of the 128cms classes, and while we have a few young ponies coming on, we wanted one with some experience and ready to go. He looks to be an all right pony, and not a stopper.”

OLDER STOCK

While trade for the bulk of the older stock was steady, and in keeping with the quality on offer, it picked up well as the day progressed.

The destinations of the better lots were mixed, but one heading for an amateur eventing career is Lisa Carnegie’s Ruthstown Millfall Boy (98), a six-year-old gelding by Sibon W out of Millfall Lady (Clover Hill). A catalogue pick on paper, the Lisa Murphy-ridden gelding has a few show jumping points, and delivered a double clear round on his only event outing under rules. Well related, he is a half-brother the one-star event horse and former pony club open event champion Soverign Guy, while his dam is a full-sister to the useful Grand Prix show jumper Millfall Hill (1.50m).

British visitor Jocelyn Riley signed the docket for this one at €8,400, saying afterwards: “I did come to buy for myself, but my solicitor asked me to source one for her if I saw anything suitable and I think this will really fit the bill. If not – I will be happy to keep him!”

Saving one of the best until last, Aiden Brown’s six-year-old Ardfort Fury (139) sold well from the supplementary catalogue at €7,500. Consigned for Brown by producer Daisy Duggan, the son of Harlequin du Carel looks a useful performer, having competed both in show jumping and eventing disciplines. Northamptonshire show jumping owner David Perry accounted for this smart sort, while selling for the same amount earlier in the day was Jackie Conlon’s Loresto OBOS by Castlecomer Q (79). Home-bred by his local vendor, the latter had been produced for sale by Johnny Mulligan, and secured by Jim Derwin.

An active customer from the British working hunter ranks was Don Barton who was accompanied by rider Danny Carroll. The Shropshire-based owner signed for five lots on the day, the best of which at €5,800 was Janice Reddy’s home-bred gelding Ardnacashel Maximus (74) by Kilcotton Cross.

Interestingly, the three stallions on offer failed to reach their reserves. Cara Touche, and the Irish Draught stallions Welcome Emperor and Echo King all looked a picture but did not tempt the buyers present.

FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

Just five lots from the four-year-old sector changed hands, with the best price of €5,000 falling to Paddy Murphy’s event type gelding by Emperor Augustus (126). An elegant sort, with seemingly good potential, he looked well bought by Jocelyn Riley who this time was keen to keep him for herself.

A prominent event horse owner in the English west midlands, Riley has horses with international riders Izzy Taylor, Emily King and Ben Way and plans to aim this prospect for the Burghley Young Event Horse series.

PONIES

Sale-topper aside, there was a rather mixed trade for ponies. There were some smart ponies on offer, but a number struggled to reach their reserves. On the whole, the presentation was good, but none could eclipse Kate Doyle’s Currasilla Island (32) who was beautifully produced by the Co Wexford-based duo Joanne Curtin and Henry Foley.

The seven-year-old Connemara, by Meelickisland Rebel out of Currasilla Rose, had originally been competed by Curtin, who had qualified him to compete at the RDS two years ago. Work commitments forced the €5,700 sale, and as a result, the smart grey mare is now heading to the Norway show jumping yard of Elina Rautianen.

Thirty ponies changed hands, with nine realising in excess of €3,000.