DESPITE the traffic and fuel supply disturbances last weekend, 143 of the 221 catalogued entries were presented at the April Connemara Pony Sale in Clifden last Sunday. Of those, 107 sold resulting in a positive clearance rate of 75%. Online activity was strong, as we have come to expect at Clifden, with 39 lots won by online bidders. With regard to location, the UK will be the new home of 25 ponies with 12 going to Benelux countries. Five ponies are bound for Sweden and five for France, while one pony was headed to Germany.

Belgian outfit SDV Horse BV signed for 12 lots, while sale regular Adam Ferris was the successful bidder on seven. Kieran O’Connor left with five lots, the same number as Pat O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor, who were also the buyers of the top-priced lot at €14,200. That top price was up from the same sale last year, when the topper went for €12,000.

Four ponies apiece went to Tom Vaughan, Cherry Boothroyd, Niall Daly, Christopher McCabe and Michael Young.

Reflecting on a busy day, manager Ann De Courcey said: “We are very pleased, it was a good one-day with a big entry and plenty of interest. We were concerned of course leading into it that we might not have the numbers expected and we pushed the start back a little to give people more time, but arrive they did - despite the weather and the travel issues.

“There is always a demand for really nice ponies and they continue to sell well. It was interesting to have two mares as the top lots and they were lovely types that generated a lot of interest. All in all though, there was a bid for everything and that’s very reassuring that, despite the cost of living pressures, we are not seeing any change in the level of demand or the prices for good stock.

“The UK market in particular never falters and we had two new buyers over, which was pleasing. Based on last Sunday, we are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back in May.”

Top lot

It was a day of high demand for mares and the top lot (164) was Drumury Spraoi, a six-year-old 148cm bay mare by the prolific Gwennic de Goariva. A full-sister to Ben Connors’ multi-medalled European championship eventing pony Cornafest Fred, she realised €14,200 when she sold to dealer duo Pat O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor. This pony is out of Cornafest Nora, who is by Westside Mirah and was consigned by Mark Grimes.

Lot 160, Foilagoul Blondie Lady, was the second highest priced pony of the Connemara Pony Sales on Sunday making €12,800 \ Rynes Walker Photography

Sophia Harding and Daire O’Reilly’s head-turning Foilagoul Blondie Lady (Lot 160) made €12,800, when she sold to Kieran O’Connor. A five-year-old 148cm golden dun mare, she has competed at a variety of venues and events over the last year and was described as having been straightforward when ridden by adults and children alike.

Speaking to The Irish Field, Harding, who was at the sale, said: “We actually bought her at the Clifden sales last year. She was quite green, but we could see she had a lot of talent, so we hung onto her a bit longer and progressed up to jumping 1m tracks. She’s just taken everything on very confidently and is showing that she’s going to be a great competition pony.

“We were a bit unsure about coming with the fuel protests, but were pleased to see the market holding up. There’s a big market for a pony that is doing the job well, even the younger pony.”

The third highest-priced Connemara pony, Melody Star (Lot 137), made €8,600 when she sold online to Niall Daly. A five-year-old 148cm Class I grey mare by Lightening Star and out of Carrowbawn Grey (I Love You Melody), she was consigned by Louise and Pat Neary and described as having been professionally broken and with the potential to be an excellent all-rounder.

Niall Daly also accounted for Tullymore Nelson (Lot 142), the equal fourth-highest priced Connemara consigned at the sale at €7,400. A five-year-old dun 153cm gelding by Tra Bhain Ceileog out of Criminagh Vilhena (Teach Mór King), he was consigned by Adrian Turley and described as a stunning gelding with a nice step.

Aghalaan All Star (Lot 155) also realised €7,400, when sold by William Lyttle to Caroline Krantz of Sweden. A 148cm home-bred grey mare by Ice and Fire D’Albran out of Aghalaan Agnes, she was described as already confidently jumping courses of 90cm.

Cashelbay Tonto (Lot 40) made €6,800 when sold to German Heike Koelle. A seven-year-old gelding by Cashelbay Prince out of Blackfield Lou Lou (Carraig Éibhir), he was consigned by Seamus Owens and has 39 SJI points.

Leim Moonlight Island (Lot 220) sold online for €6,700. A four-year-old grey gelding by Meelickisland Rebel out of Leam Pandorea (Quilca Silver), he has hunted with the Glasson Farmers. Consigned by Killian Bannon, he was sold to Killian Brown.

Cloonfad Lightening Star (Lot 43) realised €6,500 when acquired by Kevin Reilly. A four-year-old 148cm dun mare by Lightening Star out of Oyster Dun (All Smoke), she was described as having exceptional bloodlines on both sides of her pedigree and an exceptional temperament and was onsigned by John Cashin.

Lough Conn Major (Lot 172) made the same money. Billed as a potential working hunter pony, he is a 153cm four-year-old gelding by Manor Duke out of Loughconn Daisy (I Love You Melody), consigned by John Glennon and sold to Padraig Quinn.

Rounding out the top-10 registered Connemara ponies was Cyfor Pondi (Lot 104), who also sold online, realising €6,400 when bought by Ardle Horses Ltd. A five-year-old grey mare by Pumpkins Pondi out of Cyfor Malta (Lehenagh Lad), she has experience hunting with the Ballymacads.

Other top lots

Pat O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor also accounted for the top-priced non-Connemara when they purchased Fred McGuire (Lot 179), a four-year-old cob, for €9,000. A 16hh bay gelding, Fred had attended charity rides and was advertised as a lovely sort with a good temperament who hacks out alone or in company.

Kieran O’Gorman accounted for Lillcahill Lotto (Lot 200), a five-year-old 158cm grey Registered Irish Draught mare by Moylough Legacy out of Kilcahill Champ, for whom he paid €8,600.

Castle Ellis Seraphina (Lot 189) made €8,500 when she sold to Cian Goggins. A 158cm blue and white mare by Cornaroya Romeo, she was described as broken and riding with established flatwork, and is quiet in traffic and with hounds.

O’Gorman and Taylor featured once again when they purchased Coast Capri Sun (Lot 187), a five-year-old dark bay cob of unrecorded breeding, for €8,000. She is believed to be a full-sister to Hugo Boss, who was fourth in HOYS last year.

The duo also bought Knockmore Copper Lad (Lot 174), a 148cm five-year-old skewbald gelding, for €7,000. ‘Jigsaw’ was billed as a real head-turner, who has hunted with the North Galways.

Entries for the two-day May 16th-17th pony sale are currently open.