A REDUCED entry of ponies met a better trade than expected at the annual drift sale in Chagford conducted by Rendells, considering the difficulties faced by hill ponies, writes Sam Hall.

Buyers gathered from as far away as Northumberland, Kent, Hampshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire as well as the south west.

There was a far better sale rate than recent years with 65 per cent cleared with the average price up £30 on last year.

Small colts and bay fillies though met a difficult trade.

Top price was achieved by Mr N Burgoyne for a black jenny donkey foal selling to 220 guineas to Mrs A M Baber, of Helston, who then purchased a brown jenny donkey foal, also paying 220 guineas.

Spotted fillies were in great demand with a joint top of 210 guineas for Mr J B Shears and Mrs Hazel Pearse respectively.

Colts sold to 160 guineas for a spotted black for John Shears, spotted mares to 120 guineas for Mr N Burgoyne, and a three-year-old liver chestnut gelding sold to 150 guineas for Mrs C Faulkner.

The 2016 drift pony sale will be on October 13.