Return of face-to-face Beaulieu Road pony sales organised by the New Forest Livestock Society sees bids top £2,000

THE first public pony sale in the New Forest for three years saw a two-year-old filly reach the highest bid of the day at more than £2,000.

The event, which is run by the New Forest Livestock Society in conjunction with Southern Counties Auctioneers, took place at the purpose-built facility at Beaulieu Road.

The commoning community had been looking forward to the auctions returning in person, having been held online amid Covid restrictions in 2020 and an arson attack at the site in 2021.

Chair of the society Lucinda Lang told the A&T it was pleased to see the return of face-to-face sales.

She added: “The return to Beaulieu Road attracted much attention from the public, as well as a good number of perspective buyers.

“The atmosphere was positive, energised and the sun was shining.

“Despite an entry of around 50 in total across all the sections, there were some quality animals that attracted much interest with prices reflecting this. Some animals really did challenge prospective buyers to keep going with their bids.”

Rushmoor Easter, a bay registered New Forest two-year-old filly owned by Satu Heinonen sold for the top price of the day of £2,320.

Other sales included six-year-old bay gelding Jades Fire Fly, owned by Jade Palmer, fetching £1,900 and her liver chestnut mare Jades Bell of the Ball topping £1,420.

Ahead of the main auction, the NFLS held a pre-sale youngstock show for registered New Forest ponies.

All animals entered are required to be halter broken and led out and presented to independent judge, Rebecca Diamond.

There were two classes: one for yearling fillies, colts, and geldings and the other for two-and three-year fillies, colts and geldings.

The highest placed from each class then went forward to a championship, before a head-to-head for the overall championship, which was won by Rushmoor Haven, owned by John Stride.

Speaking at the auction, NFLS director Richard Deakin paid thanks to the many contractors, organisations and individuals who had played a “vital part” in reinstating the site after the arson attack.

There are three more auctions scheduled this year in September, October and November.