Chagford’s traditional Pony Drift Sale remains popular

Despite a questionable forecast, the sun shone on another fantastic Chagford Pony Drift Sale, which was once again a huge success. With a 91% clearance rate, the popularity of these versatile native ponies shows no sign of waning. There was a much larger entry of ponies with 421 penned and we have received positive feedback from both vendors and purchasers.

This year saw a tremendous crowd of people attend the sale. It was great to see so many new people as well as welcoming back some familiar faces too. There was interest from all over England including Cumbria, Essex, Kent and Northumberland to name but a few, as well as buyers from Wales and Ireland who were returning after some years away from the sale.

The sale started at a cracking pace with the first lot in the ring for Mr G Warren making 950gns grossing at £997.50, just a shade under the £1,000. Mr A Steed for the third consecutive year sold the top lot which was lot number 190, Hendawle Tear Drops, a five-month-old filly sired by Registered Quarter Horse Chubs Blue Jet selling to £1785. Mr Steed was also responsible for second priced top lot of the day which was Hendawle Miss Mona, a five-month-old filly, lot number 187, selling to £1,417.50 by the same sire as above. The overall average on the day was £165 per head.

Individual Top Prices:

G Warren – Yearling black cob gelding to £997.50

Ms H Shears – 8yr old grey spotted mare to £252

Mrs E Irish – 6 month old grey roan colt to £68.25

A Davies – Aged Mares (x2) to £283.50

M Bloomfield – 13 month old appaloosa x mare to £840

WJ & DM Jordan and Son – 6 month old bay and white filly to £115.50

P Mann – 6 month old bay colt to £63

PA & DE Cleave - Black filly to £231

Mrs I Cole – Aged coloured mare to £210

J & M Shears – 5 month old spotted filly to £651

Mrs M Alford – Black and white filly to £420

Mrs J Mortimore – Coloured Colts (x2) to £99.75

PC & VL Pearse – Yearling black colt to £220.50

A Mortimore – Skewbald colt to £84

N Burgoyne - 6 month old chocolate dun filly to £819 and Jennies sold to £714

J Wonnacott – Black filly to £94.50

PR Coaker – Bay filly to £252

P Skelly – 14yr old mare to £420

Mrs DA Cole – Grey and white filly to £714

J Cole – Black and white filly to £483

Barkwell & Mortimore – Black and white gelding to £735

Abel Brothers – Dun colt to £409.50

R Searle – Yearling spotted colt to £94.50

P Heard – Palomino filly to £472.50

CE Mudge – Dun filly to £189

LN & RJ Mortimore Yearling dun filly to £210

S Partridge – Grey gelding to £175

Mrs G Angwin – 6yr old bay gelding to £89.25

The Chagford Pony Drift Sale 2022, was an amazing day and was enjoyed by all. Rendells would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the vendors, purchasers, hardworking staff, stock handlers and helpers. A special mention to Charlotte Faulkner and The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association who alongside of the Friends of The Dartmoor Hill Pony have worked tirelessly to develop the social media and promote the sale, which is a major factor in the continued success of the sale so a special thank you to them. The auctioneers would also like to thank Devon Trading Standards and the Animal Health and Plant Health Agency for their guidance.

We look forward to seeing you all next year at next year’s pony sale which will be held at Chagford Market on Thursday, 12th October, 2023.