FOR years it had been an industry in decline, full of doom and gloom.

With foals on sale for the price of a pint of beer and a sandwich, the future looked bleak.

Now, thanks to a new show ring, a pre-auction show and better quality livestock, the New Forest pony sales are reviving.

That continued yesterday with higher prices and willing buyers at the first sale of the year, at Beaulieu Road yard.

The annual sales give Commoners - those with property rights to turn out livestock in the open Forest - a return for their vital work.

At the end of the 90s, prices for a mare or gelding were less than 30 guineas, with overproduction and too few handled or halter-broken ponies. Now many go for ten times that.

Urged on by the hottest day of the year, a large crowd jostled for prime spots at the show ring - a mix of dealers, private buyers, Commoners and horse enthusiasts.

The first pony up, and the cheapest of the day, a yearling colt, went for 26 guineas - about £27.

For more than three hours a steady stream of almost 200 ponies was paraded in rising heat.

Verderer Dionis MacNair, secretary of The New Forest Pony Society for 37 years, and a pony sales veteran of more than half a century, said the introduction of a morning pre-sale show three years ago had helped lift prices all round.

"What absolutely stands out a mile is the people who take the trouble to get ponies handled are getting the price for them," she said.

"A few years ago the price fell through the floor. There was overproduction and people weren't buying.

"It was costing Commoners more to get them to the show than they were selling for. That's now changing."

Sam Dovey, a Commoner and director of organisers the New Forest Livestock Society, said he was pleased with the trade.

"The numbers of ponies are above average and prices are pretty strong," he said.

"In the last few years demand has increased. The ponies are seen as versatile for both riding and conservation."

Commoner Shirley Young, 56, from Landford, sold three ponies.

"The prices are definitely up, compared to what they used to be. The more money we can get back, the more viable commoning becomes."

Nicky Higgins and her husband and 17-year-old daughter travelled 140 miles from Worcester.

Like many private buyers, she was looking for a New Forest pony for competition, after her 21-year-old animal died earlier this year.

For 790 guineas, she got the champion of the pre-sales show - a two-year-old gelding billed as "an ideal riding pony".

"We paid more than we wanted but it's a nice quality horse. We spotted him in the show, but when he won it the price went up," she said.

"It's the first time I've been here. I've always wanted to come. It's been smashing and I'm really enjoying myself."

Auctioneer Iain Soutar said the top price was for a yearling colt, which made 1,375 guineas.