The 2006 American Hunter Pony Classic Auction, held during the USEF Pony Finals National Championships, posted major increases in nearly every category. Statistically, the 2006 sale ranks as the best American Hunter Pony Classic ever and possibly the best pony auction ever held in North America. “This was a great auction. The buyers were active from beginning to end,” said Tim Jennings, Marketing Director of Professional Auction Services, Inc. “The catalog included the best group of ponies the sale has ever offered.”

A four-year-old daughter of Penrhyn Sporting Chance was the high-selling pony at $67,000. Flower, a gray small pony, was sold by Leading Consignor Richard Taylor’s Venture Stable. She was purchased by Mike Heintschel of Escondido, CA. Taylor commented, “This is the best child’s pony I have ever brought to the sale.”

A new North American record price for a yearling pony was set when Prue Richardson’s Northwind sent Northwind Maradonna into the sale ring late in the sale as hip number 90. Northwind Maradonna was Hunter Pony Breeding Grand Champion at the 2006 Devon Horse Show. He was purchased by Melissa Burns of Wellington, FL. Northwind Maradonna was the only yearling offered at the sale. He is by Small-Land Martello and out of Northwind Justa A Laugh.

The high-selling two-year-old was Sporting Life, a filly by Penhryn Sporting Chance. The filly was sold for $20,000 by a Bill Schaub agent for Bill Schaub and Peakewood Pharm to Janet Read of Welling ton, FL. Schaub purchased the filly at the 2005 Select Pony Breeders Production Sale in Virginia. Eight two-year-Olds sold for an average price of $10,150.

A small pony was high-selling three-year-Old. Oompa Loompa, who placed second at the Devon and Upperville Horse Shows in 2006, topped all other three-year-olds sold. The gelding was sold by a Bill Schaub agent for Bill Schaub and Peakewood Pharm to Olivia Golden of Reading, PA. Oompa Loompa was sold under his registered name of Farnley Ascot at the 2005 Farnley Farm & Shenandoah Stud Production Sale. Three-year-old ponies averaged $14,554.

The American Hunter Pony Classic was produced by Professional Auction Services, Inc., of Berryville, VA. The auction firm was formed in 1978 and has produced over 210 auctions and has sold 50,000 horses and ponies for $160,000,000.
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