Record-breaking entries for New Forest foal show at Beaulieu Road

THE New Forest Livestock Society’s pre-foal show at the October Beaulieu Road pony sale saw record breaking entries this year with over 20 foals entered and forward on the day.

Four classes were held, each having a number of Forest bred foals (sired and born on the open Forest) and young commoner (35 years of age or under owning and breeding their own stock) per class.

All foals entered are fully registered with the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society and the pre-show is open to stud bred and as well as Forest bred foals. All are halter broken and quiet to handle ready for their new owners and careers; and as with all stock at the sales are micro-chipped and passported prior to entry.

This is a great opportunity for commoners to show off their stock to both an independent judge, and also to perspective buyers before being sold through the main sale ring, thus helping to raise the profile of the breed.

There were fourteen Forest-bred entries by various stallions including Halestorm Branston Pickle, Knavesash Gold Fever and Bullhill Major. The progeny of two young stallions who gained their first stallion passing in 2017, Rushmoor Dalesman and Mallards Wood Law & Order were impressive, with both these stallions being selected to run the Forest this year.

Registered New Forest filly foals continue to be in demand and this was evident with only one filly being entered in the show. There were a small number of gelded colt foals forward which also attracted the attention of potential buyers.

The judge for this year was Paul Armitage, who, with his wife, enjoy showing their New Forest ponies, including some that had been obtained via the Beaulieu Road sales in past years.

Head Agister Jonathan Gerrelli’s Crabbswood Surprise, a striking large bay filly foal sired by Hollybrook Rambler, held her own against the other entries (being the only filly foal in the pre-foal show) to take the Overall Championship. The filly also took the Crabbswood Stud cup for highest placed filly foal.

Sally Fear’s Tilebarn Saviour Jack, a strong Forest bred brown colt foal by Sway Scrumpy Jack took the Reserve Overall Champion award as well the Forest Bred Champion and the New Forest Stallion Syndicate Perpetual Cup awarded to the highest placed colt foal at the show.

Reserve Forest Bred Champion went to Sophie Green’s Eaglehust Golden Wonder, a strong roan colt foal by Knavesash Gold Fever.

The next generation of younger commoners entering and showing their stock was good to see and special awards were made in each class and went to Sophie Green, Jonathan Lovell, Charlie Maton and William Gerrelli.

Twenty-one of the foals entered in the pre-sale foal show sold through the sale ring, with many of the foals attracting a number of bidders including Overall Champion Crabbswood Surprise.

For more information about the pony sales visit the New Forest Livestock’s website www.nfls.org.uk

(Photos: Audrey Scott-Hopkins)