FOR the first time, the Connemara Pony Sales ventured to running an extra day dedicated purely to non-Connemara Ponies, that proved fruitful at the end of a busy week in the town, which played host to the annual Clifden Show and welcomed visitors from around the world.

Top prices of €14,500 for non-registered and €13,000 for two Connemaras highlighted an overall good sale, where the 561 ponies and horses sold led to an overall clearance rate of 78%.

Ann De Courcey was happy with the sale, commenting: “It was the first time ever to have a day exclusively for non-Connemaras. In recent years, we’ve been having them at the end of every day and have seen that the market is growing and there is definitely demand for them. We were happy with how it went overall.

“For the Connemaras on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we haven’t had a buying ring like that for a long time! There were a lot of really good riding ponies and big demand for them. All the big buyers were there. The three-year-olds were being moved on and we are going to have a special section for them in September. The market augurs well for the big foal sale in October,” she added.

Another new initiative was the livestreaming of the sand arena, where all broken and ridden ponies were put through their paces for online buyers.

Again, the UK was by far the biggest market after Ireland, with 145 ponies going across the Irish Sea. Some 70 were sold to the Benelux countries, bolstered by the return of Robert De Vries from Holland for the first time in many years. He purchased a total of 29 animals and was the largest buyer at the sale, just ahead of Gerty Tynan who bought 26 and Burke Bloodstock (22). Eighteen animals went to France, 11 to Sweden and sales too to Norway (4), Italy (3), Germany (3) and USA (1).

David, Kellie and Lara McAfee after Lot 160 Lake Edge Dandy was sold for €13,000 at the Connemara Pony Sales \ Between The Ears Equine Media

The first of two €13,000 top lots over the three days of the Connemara sale was Lake Edge Dandy (Lot 160) on Friday afternoon. Consigned to the sale by David McAfee, the grey gelding is by Maecon Boy and was snapped up after lively bidding by Gerty Tynan’s Ardle Horses Ltd.

Also making that price on Saturday evening was Lot 470, Donaghmore Dancing Shadow, a six-year-old 153cm gelding by Silver Shadow. Brought to the sale by Athlone-based Brian Dunning, who produces cobs, Connemaras and some show jumpers, the grey has experience on the hunting field with the South Westmeath and has competed at training shows and across country. Padraig Quinn signed the docket for this smart sort.

“Happy with that,” commented Dunning. “We had another one at this same sale last year, bought by the same man for €13,000 as well. I thought for the nicer ponies, it’s the same as anything, trade is always strong for the top end of the market. Three-year-olds look to be well back compared to last year, but the cream will always rise to the top. I didn’t get a chance to look at anything myself, but I will go back in September and try and buy a few.”

Patrick O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor wrote their biggest cheque of the week - where they bought 20 ponies - at €12,800 for Lot 342, Castlebin Cul Knight, a five-year-old dun gelding by Tulare Chieftain. Home-bred by the seller, K Donohue, the 153cm gelding has taken part in Pony Club rallies, working hunters and dressage and is schooled cross-country.

The top-priced four-year-old was Lot 134, the quality Bohola Mirah gelding Ballinlag Naoise, purchased by Norwegian buyer Karoline Heim at €12,500 from Wicklow’s Jane Kinsella.

Ciaran O’Connor gave the same price for the top Connemara pony mare of the sale, Lot 191, Castleside Lady In Waiting, home-bred by consigner James Rabbette. The five-year-old dun had clocked up 46 SJI points before the sale when ridden by Millie Rabbette and has also hunted two seasons with the North Galway hunt.

Millie Rabbette had a great day at the Connemara Pony Sales when Lot 192 Castleside Legacy made €10,000 and Lot 191 Castleside Lady in Waiting made €12,500 \ Between The Ears Equine Media

Selling at €12,000 was Stephanie Cregg’s Ballyroddy Golden Lass (Lot 636), a dun 147cm mare by Lough Melvin Gorteen, who has had a successful in-hand showing career and was sold as an ultimate all-rounder to Hugh Martin.

Buying online was John McLoughline who gave €10,500 for Lot 687, Dolores O’Brien’s Balrobuck Jade, a 153cm grey mare by Glencarrig Knight who competed in the Green Hunter at the Connemara Pony Show days early and who has hunted with the Ballymacads and Tara Harriers.

Ciaran O’Connor’s five-year-old 148cm dun gelding Erne Valley Arrio (Lot 227), by Gwenic de Goariva, made €10,200 when knocked down to Ciaran Ward. Another by Gwenic de Goariva and one to catch the eye was Lot 117, Phillip Morgan’s 14-year-old mare Belview Heather, who has a solid showing record which includes wins in Clifden lead rein and the Under 16 class at Northern Ireland Festival, as well as competing at the 2025 Dublin Horse Show. Hugh Martin had the final say at €10,000.

Three more €10,000 sales completed the 13 Connemara lots to make five-figure sums.

New venture

It was the first day dedicated to non-registered Connemara Ponies for the sale and 89 of the 128 lots through the ring were sold, for a clearance rate of 70%. Topping this sector was Carmel Croke’s Curraghdermot Ezra (Lot 821), a dun 16hh gelding with no recorded breeding. Described as an excellent all-rounder with show jumping, cross-country and hunting experience, UK buyer Olive Anstey had the final bid online at €14,500.

Local Clifden breeder and farrier Bryan O’Halloran bought Lot 881, Kiltole George at €11,200 from seller Oliver Kelly. The five-year-old with no recorded breeding has hunted two seasons. O’Halloran also signed for Lot 832, Brannigans Golden Diamond, a striking rich palamino and white coloured four-year-old gelding at €8,200 from producer Anthony Rodgers.

Also sold online to the UK was Lot 744, a Connemara/Irish Draught-cross four-year-old gelding by the Draught stallion Liosderg Silver Pride. Natasha Leak paid €9,400 to Hellen Caffey.

Claremorris producer Cian Goggins purchased two of note in this group; he gave €9,000 for Liam Briscoe’s The Professor (Lot 809), a four-year-old 158cm black cob who is broken and riding; and he also paid €8,200 for Lot 844, You Can Do It, a four-year-old 160cm bay mare.

The next Connemara Pony Sale takes place on September 19th with entries now open.

Jane and Tara Kinsella and William Flood with Ballinlag Naoise (Lot 134) who was sold for €12,500 in the ring on Friday \ Between The Ears Equine Media