IN welcome news to breeders, the top price at last Sunday’s one-day Clifden Connemara Pony sale, €9,500, exceeded that of the same renewal last year by over €2,000. Of the 186 catalogued entries, there were 148 through the ring, with a healthy 77% clearance rate. Some 20 ponies sold on the day are bound for Belgium, thanks to the buying power of SDV Horses. 26 are bound for the UK, four apiece were sold to France and Germany and two to Sweden.

Sales manager Ann DeCourcey said the team was very pleased with the turnout.