The New Forest Livestock Society sadly had to cancel the sale planned for June due to the ongoing sale yard reinstatement work from a fire in April 2021. This sale was replaced by a fourth online auction run in conjunction with Southern Counties Auctioneers and The New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society.
The auction was open to all registered New Forest ponies and part-breds registered with the NFPBCS plus other breeds that had been de-pastured on the open forest by commoners. This sale again enabled those sellers from across the country, who were eligible to enter, to take part in this online auction and an opportunity for buyers, who may not be able to make a sale, the ability to be able to bid on any of the lots. An easy-to-read online catalogue was produced by the auctioneers from their website providing guidelines on viewing, collection, and transfer of all paperwork for the lots presented for the auction. The auction ran over two weekends to enable perspective buyers the opportunity to view any interested lots which is highly recommended.
A good entry of 71 lots were put forward with 53 being fully registered New Forest ponies. Entries in the fully registered New Forest section had a mixture of both ‘Forest Bred’ (sired and born on the open New Forest) and stud bred animals from yearlings to older ponies with a good mix of fillies, mares, colts and geldings. Some of the older ponies were already broken to ride. Buyers had a good selection to pick from.
The top prices for Section 1, Pure-Bred New Forest:
Furzley Vanity Faire by Wayland Cranberry, owned by Karen Corr, bred by Sandra Kilford and Jane Haskell. Five-year-old bay gelding lightly backed – £4550.
Ridley Sermon owned by Alison Bennett, bred by Charlotte Lines, a four-year-old bay gelding by Rushmoor Dalesman. Has been professionally broken to ride – £3800.
Mighells Dittany by Peronne Notorious, owned by Elysia New, four-year-old dark bay filly, recently broken to ride – £3600
Waterslade Golden Cloud by Thatchers Dun Romain, owned by Gillian Walsh and bred by Nicky Stephens – palomino yearling gelding – £3000
Blakeswater Celebration by Blakeswater Quantam Solace, owned by Heather Dunning. Bay four-year-old mare – £2600
General Breakdown of Section 1 prices:
Yearling Colts ranged from £520 to £700. Yearling Geldings ranged from £800 to £3000.
Two-year-old Fillies ranged from £1550 to £2100. Two-year-old Geldings ranged from £1000 to £2000.
Three-year-old Geldings ranged from £860 to £1550. Three-year-old Fillies ranged from £1150 to £2250.
Four years and over Mares ranged from £1000 to £4550. Four years and over Geldings ranged from £940 to £3800.
Section 3, Part Bred New Forest Ponies did not disappoint with the highest bid of the online auction going to Robinsbrook Zeberdee by Pigbush Racer out of May-Zee, owned by Leanne Sequenza. A four-year-old bay gelding broken to ride – £6050. Part-bred animals ranged from £600 to £6050.
Section 4, Equines of Other Breeds saw a small number of entries. Donkeys ranged from £140 to £700. Other Breeds ranged from £540 to £1300.
The demand for the quality New Forest pony has continued with the online auctions proving to be popular. Prices reflected both the quality and demand for the New Forest Pony and what they have to offer. This breed has an amenable temperament, versatility to multiple disciplines, hardiness, strength, and sure-footedness.
Future sales will be held at the Beaulieu Road Sale Yard: Thursday 22nd September, Thursday 27th October (includes pre-sale foal show) and Thursday 1st December 2022.
Furzley Vanity Faire – Credit Bobby Jo Imaging