PERSISTENCE paid off at this year’s Chagford Pony Sale with a great uplift in prices and demand over preceding years.

Hill ponies from Dartmoor were rounded up last Thursday (October 13) and the market has met an uplift in prices at this year’s annual drift sale.

The last-remaining traditional sale, held at Chagford market, saw a total of 94 ponies sold from an entry of 118.

The wild ponies were brought down from the moor as part of the annual ritual of the Merrivale pony drift.

Carried out over a vast 10,000 acre terrain the ponies are taken from Dartmoor for their annual health check, weaning and sorting for forthcoming sales or to be returned to the moor.

Auctioneers Rendells, which conducted the sale, said: ‘This year’s average was £59.68, which was up £12.52 on last year and three times the 2014 average price. The percentage sold at 80% was well up from last year’s 65% and 55% in 2014.

‘The sale got off to a cracking start with the first in being a spotted filly from John Shears which sold for £262.50 with his next pony in making £315. Demand was best for spotted and coloured Dartmoor breeds. Shetlands were also in keen demand, with only traditional Dartmoor colts struggling to find ready homes.

‘Ponies topped at £367.50 for a black and white filly from Mr N Burgoyne, with a spotted filly from John Shears making £262.50.’

A spokesperson for Rendells added: ‘We would like to thank Charlotte Faulkner and the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association for their support, without which the sale would not be possible.’

The ponies have been the subject of recent controversy after conservationists have suggests creating a trade for pony meat could help secure the species future.

However, charities including South West Equine Protection and the Mare and Foal Sanctuary have rejected the idea, saying that they refuse to support over-breeding or killing ponies for profit.