Brightwells has moved its autumn Hay-on-Wye pony and cob sale (pictured below) to Hereford following concerns over health and safety at the market.
“Hay-on-Wye is a very old market and it doesn’t lend itself to horse sales,” said Terry Court, who has been with Brightwells since the equine business started in the town.
“We have managed there for 60 years but lately health and safety has become more difficult for us to cope with. We had no choice but to look for somewhere else to hold the sale,” said Mr Court.
The auction will now be called the Hay-on-Wye at Hereford sale and continues to be held on the first Saturday in October.
This year’s sale is on 3 October and will be run on the same format as usual.
There will be two sale rings; one for the led ponies and cobs and one for the unhandled entries.
The annual foal show for registered Welsh sections A, B, C and D will take place as normal on the morning of the sale. This year’s judges are Len Bigley, a past president of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, and Cerdin Jones of the Synod Stud.
Brightwells said there will be no change in the costs for entry frees.
Mr Court said he hopes sale clients “will appreciate the move” but he admitted it “will not be a popular decision with the town folk of Hay-on-Wye.”
The 2014 Hay-on-Wye autumn pony event had 300 entries, mainly registered Welsh ponies and cobs.
Buyers come from all over the UK and Europe, with many sale graduates going on win top prizes in the showring.
Brightwells sells more than 7,000 horses and ponies every year from Shetlands to Gold Cup-winning racehorses.
For more information visit: www.brightwells.com
