Traders from across the UK descended on Hopes Auction Mart at Wigton yesterday for its summer sale of horses and ponies.

The high temperatures were felt in the crowded ring as more than 80 lots went under the hammer. One of the highest prices reached was 2,200 guineas for an eight-year-old skewbald mare from Dearham, near Maryport.

Those at the mart included award-winning Aspatria breeder Sid Housby and Longtown farmer Patricia Barnes.

Mr Housby, 76 said: “I’ve been coming to Wigton sales for 28 years but back then it was held over three days.

“It’s always sad to let horses go because they are part of the family.”

Mrs Barnes sold six-year-old Peaches for 320 guineas.

She said: “My husband and I both wrote down figures for what we thought we’d get before we came. I put 500 down. He got it spot on and he isn’t even into horses like me.”

Auctioneer Mr Walton said: “The sales have been going for around 100 years and they have a good reputation. People come from all sorts of places.”

A sale of tack was held inside the second ring and traders also had stalls dotted around the mart.

The horse sale is one of three held every year at Wigton.

Posted: 07|29|06 at 7:24 am. Filed under: UK News.