Top prices achieved for New Forest Ponies at first Beaulieu Road auction of the year

THE quality and versatility of New Forest ponies led to a record-breaking sale during an online Beaulieu Road auction held earlier this month.

The event, which was the first of 2021, was organised in conjunction with the New Forest Livestock Society, New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society and Southern Counties Auctioneers.

It was Knavesash Woodlander, by Brock Buttons, a seven-year-old gelding owned by Nicola Denness, who reached a price of £5,450 – breaking previous Beaulieu records.

Lucinda Lang, chair of the New Forest Livestock Society, said: “The sales achieved were generally very good – and this is hugely encouraging for commoners.

“It is wonderful that New Forest Ponies are achieving the price they deserve as this reflects the quality and demand for them.”

The auction was open to all New Forest ponies and part-breeds registered with the society, plus other breeds that had been de-pastured on the open forest by commoners.

Lucinda continued: “The auctioneers created an easy-to-read online catalogue from their website detailing guidelines on viewing, collection, and transfer of all paperwork for the lots presented for the auction.”

Altogether, 55 lots were put forward, and of these 40 were fully registered New Forest ponies ranging in age.

Knavesash Woodlander was described as a strong bay gelding which was already backed to ride.

The next highest selling pony was a bay three-year-old gelding called Ridley Spirit, by Rushmoor Dalesman, which fetched £3,750.

He has already begun training as a riding pony after being purchased as a foal at a previous sale by Beverley Molter.

Other top-selling animals included Buckland Melody, a two-year-old filly by Buckland Skyline which sold for £3,100 and Hollyhatch Highlander, a two-year-old gelding bred by Kate Ingram, out of a registered New Forest mare Willoway Annabelle, bought for £3,000.

“New Forest Ponies have an amenable temperament, versatility to multiple disciplines, hardiness, strength, and sure-footedness,” said Lucinda.

The next Beaulieu Road auction is set to take place on 23rd September, with further sales scheduled for 27th October and 2nd December.

Lucinda added: “We are very hopeful that we will be able to return to a face-to-face auction at the Beaulieu Road Sale Yard by September – however, a decision will be made closer to the time based on government guidance and restrictions.”