The Shetland Pony Sale.

After World War II the pony trade in Shetland was at an all time low. Pleasurable pursuits had been forgotten, exports had come to a halt, and the pit trade was petering out.

The Department of Agriculture resumed sending stallions to Shetland but few producers took advantage of this and many breeders thought it pointless to register their stock. Mr James Dean, the Livestock Inspector for the DOAS invited Mr & Mrs Cox to come to Shetland with him in 1948 to assess the situation and to inspect the mares that had produced foals by Department stallions.

That visit proved to be a turning point for Island breeders. Shocked by what they found the Coxes began a campaign to persuade the Council of the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society to fund a Premium Stallion Scheme. With help from the Betting and Levy Board this was established in 1956. Quality stallions were loaned to the scheme from Mainland Scotland and their effect was soon apparent.

In conjunction, the Shetland Marts organised a Pony Sale in Unst (which was the home of the majority of ponies at that time) in 1957. It was to prove a day of huge significance. Breeders were unaware of the resurrected American trade and when many buyers appeared and previously unmarketable ponies sold in excess of £100.00 mark, it was said that the tide had finally turned.

Over the next twenty years the market remained buoyant in Shetland with many new studs being formed. An additional sale was established in Lerwick in 1965. In 1998 the Unst sale was discontinued owing to pressure on buyers’ time and the Lerwick sale has become Shetland’s sale with a well attended show the previous evening.

The Pony Sales along with the Agricultural shows have played a huge part in restoring the Island Shetland pony to its rightful place as a leader in the market. A healthy well proportioned animal that can move well and withstand Shetland winters should remain the prime factor. This year's Shetland Pony Sale is being held on Friday 5th October.