2018 Lerwick Shetland Pony Show & Sale

60th Annual Lerwick Shetland Pony Show & Sale

Thursday 4th & Friday 5th October saw the 60th annual show and sale of registered pedigree Shetland ponies held at the Shetland Rural centre in Lerwick. There were 69 ponies entered and forward for the sale from the length and breadth of Shetland, on par with the number of entries in the two previous years, which was good to see.

The Pony Breeders of Shetland Association (PBSA) were delighted to welcome Mr Charles Seward from Carmarthen to judge at the Show on the Thursday evening. There was strong competition in all classes with the judge commenting particularly on the high quality of the foals he was seeing which was not common elsewhere.

The main show awards were hotly contested with Amanda Slater, Tresta, prevailing and taking overall show champion with her home bred 3 year old piebald filly Breckenlea Little Gift. Reserve Champion and Champion Foal at the Sale was taken by Bergli Stud and their standard black colt foal Bergli Valdi.

The Friday morning saw a parade of show prize winners live on ibidder prior to the sale commencing at 9am. The mart was bustling with activity with approximately 40 visitors from out with Shetland present on the day including a contingent from Canada, Norway and Germany. It was heartening to see such support, not only form out with Shetland, but also from within.

Bidding was as ever a little slow to start but the momentum increased with almost all ponies receiving bids leading to an increase in average prices when compared to 2017. Top price of the day was 1750gns achieved by Mrs L Smith, Robin’s Brae Stud, Dunrossness for her 5 year old Cream Dun miniature mare which sold to M Tomlinson, Southport. Selling close on her heels were two more mares both making 1700gns respectively. Hestigarth Rozetta, a 12 year old black standard mare from A & M Manson, Skeld which sold to Bergli Stud and Bergli Dimma a 4 year old standard bay mare from T Skarpnord, Bergli Stud, Walls which sold to J. & M. Priest, Unst.

Plans are already well underway for 2019 with the addition of a select sale of evaluated ponies to coincide with the return of the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society Breed Show to Shetland, 10 years since it was first held. The Breed Show is being held on Saturday 27th July with the Select sale being held on Sunday 28th July. There has already been a huge amount of interest in our plans and acquiring ponies from Shetland, after all what better place to buy a Shetland Pony! The PBSA would like to thank the following people for their continued hard work and support in safeguarding the future of this vital sale in Shetland: Northlink Ferries, Harbro Ltd, Promote Shetland, all class sponsors. Shetland Vets, Shetland Livestock marketing Group, Aberdeen and Northern Marts and in particular Alan Donald and Rod MacKenzie. Here’s to a successful 2019.

Leading Prices
Filly Foals: Robin’s Brae Wren 620gns to J. Swan, Dingwall. Benstonholm Xandi 580gns to R. Grieveson, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Colt Foals: Bergli Bruce 400gns to P. Jessop, Sinope. Breckenlea Krusader 260gns to J. Needham, Melton Mowbray

Fillies: Bergli Dimma 1700gns to J. & M. Priest, Unst. Iona of Brygarth 1000gns to J. Swan, Dingwall

Colts: Tangwick Lucas 30gns to A. Ciancio, Larkhall

Mares: Robin’s Brae Roma 1750gns to M. Tomlinson, Southport. Hestigarth Rozetta 1700gns to Bergli Stud, Waas

Stallions: Gandalf Fra Oya 1200gns to L. Kaldestad, Norway. Swarthoull Preacher 600gns to D. H. Thomas, Pencader

Geldings: Lahamar Toby & Northharrier Viking 140gns to J. Howard, Castle Douglas and N. MacDonald-Lewis, Ellon

Show results are available at the Pony Sales Page