2014

The 55th Annual Lerwick Shetland Pony Show and Sale were held recently at the Shetland Agricultural Centre. The Pony Breeders of Shetland Association (PBSA) in conjunction with Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (SLMG) and Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) once again hosted a successful sale of registered pedigree ponies. There were 133 ponies entered for the sale a rise of 29% on last year but unfortunately there were only 108 forward on the day, hugely disappointing for prospective buyers but still a good number of ponies.

The ponies began arriving on the Thursday afternoon and exhibitors and potential buyers were invited to socialise together and enjoy a super spread of home bakes and sandwiches laid on by the PBSA.

The Friday morning commenced at 9am with the show of ponies to be sold and there were good entries in all classes. New this year was a beautiful Trophy to be presented to the Show Champion. The trophy was kindly donated by the Tour Guides of Shetland Association in memory of the late David Robertson, of Trondra and Gott studs, who is sadly missed by all. The Judge for this year’s show was Mr David Hodge who travelled from Devon. He remarked on the good quality stock which came in front of him and he also complemented the exhibitors on how well handled the foals were and praised the efforts of the Pony Breeders of Shetland. Best Colt Foal at the Show was the standard piebald Robin’s Brae Spiggie from the Burgess Family, Dunrossness, and Best Filly Foal, Champion Foal and Reserve Overall Champion at the Show was the standard dark bay Loanin Shireen from Mrs J Roberts, Unst. Overall Show Champion was the 39” Black 3 year old filly Jo-Jo Av Bergli from the Bergli Stud in Walls.

After successfully trialling the I-bidder Online Auction system last year those involved were hopeful of another good response from buyers unable to attend the sale. Photographs and details of the lots for sale were available to be viewed online for several weeks prior to the sale to generate interest and give buyers a chance to choose their purchase. On the day a live audio and video feed of the show and sale was streamed online enabling the whole world to watch. This year’s I-bidder sales were more than double those of last year going from 23 ponies sold to 56 ponies sold, 52% of ponies forward being sold through I-bidder.
After a slow start the sale picked up with average prices up on last year.

Miniature Filly Foal

Miniature Colt Foal

Standard Filly Foal

Standard Colt Foal

1, 2 & 3yr old Fillies

1, 2 & 3yr old Colts & Geldings

Mares 4yrs old & Over

Stallions 4yrs & Over

Champion Foals

Trophy Winners

The leading prices were;
Filly foals: Clibberswick Selsey 540gns K Grant, Orkney. Trondra Kerus 360gns A Mclennan, Orkney.
Colt foals: Robin's Brae Spiggie 300gns J Ramsey, Tyne & Wear. Robin's Brae Storm 200gns I-Bidder.
Fillies: Jo-Jo Av Bergli 950gns Unsold. Hestigeo Gunhilda 400gns P Hunter, Unst.
Mares: Merkisayre Be-Bo 460gns I-bidder. Loanin Vivid 380gns I-bidder.
Entire Males: Merrylees Nuggett 650gns Unsold. Merkisayre Calvin 400gns I-bidder.

The PBSA would like to express their sincere thanks to the ANM, SLMG, all class Sponsors, Serco Northlink, Promote Shetland, Harbro Ltd, Mark Donaldson and all the volunteers who put in so much hard work and dedication to enable the preservation of this vital sale for the future of the Shetland Pony Breed.