TRADE for Connemara Ponies is staying the course as the year goes on, as evidenced at the Connemara Pony Sales’ three-day sale in Clifden last weekend.

With an impressive entry of 717 ponies, it ended with a 73% clearance rate, up from the same sale last year (64%), and, while the top price of €13,000 fell short of the corresponding sale last year (€15,800), eight ponies were sold for five-figure sums.