“WE’RE after having a great day’s trading,” said Goresbridge’s Ed Donohoe at the close of the first day of their May Sport Horse Performance Sale, which saw an average price of €5,829 and a clearance rate of 81% from the 166 ponies on offer. “There were a lot of really nice competition ponies, leisure ponies, and the Connemaras were super. That’s all you can ask for really,” Donohoe concluded.

Wednesday’s top lot came early in the day, when Lot 21, Emoe Roulade, a five-year-old 14.2hh bay gelding by Kroongraaf, was knocked down to British buyer Elaine Cochrane for €14,000. “He was on our list,” said Cochrane, who was looking for a show jumping pony for her nine-year-old daughter. “We always have a look the night before, and he had a lovely jump, an amazing jump. We watched him in the ring and he was very well-behaved, which is key for me, and we had a really good feeling about him.”

Lot 94 realised €13,500 for vendors H&J Sporthorses, which was the second-highest price of the day and also the top lot of the Connemara section. A seven-year-old grey 14.2hh gelding by Shanna Jexter, Banana Choice has already won in-hand and was described as having the potential to be a top working hunter pony. He was bought by dealers Emerald Irish Horses, who said: “We buy a lot of younger ponies normally and we have plenty of people looking for these ones, with a bit of mileage and a little bit more done. He was one of the ones we wanted to look at; he’s very attractive, lovely to do in the stable and the people who had him did a great job with him as well.”

H&J Sporthorses also consigned Lot 150, Aughavinna Mikey, who was sold to Italian buyers for €11,500. An oversized pony at 15.1hh, the dun gelding is by Shadows Dun, had been shown in-hand as a three-year-old and was described as correct and good-looking.

George Walker consigned Lot 136, Rooska Rascal, who was knocked down to British buyers for €11,200, which was the second-highest price of the Connemara section of the sale.

A five-year-old grey gelding by I Love You Melody from a family of proven sale-toppers and performance ponies, Rooska Rascal had contested the loose-jumping final at Clifden and has 25 SJI points to his name.

“The best of luck to the next person who has him,” was Walker’s comment at the sale.

The fifth-highest price of the day, €11,000, came for Lot 109, Crannaghmore Alfie, another of the Connemaras. A five-year-old grey 14.2hh gelding by Knightebridge Prince, he has hunted, attended pony club camp and also contested the Stepping Stones series at Wexford Equestrian. Coverage from Thursday and Friday’s action at Goresbridge will appear in next week’s edition.