Breeders from Shetland, Ross-shire and Midlothian took the top honours at Aberdeen and Northern Marts 49th annual show and sale of registered pedigree Shetland ponies this week at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

Keen bidding also saw prices reach a top of 1,000gns in the event, which is held in conjunction with the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society.

The 146 entries saw judging by Ken Scott, of Braes of Kerryston, Kellas, Broughty Ferry, in the standard section and by Jimmy Wilson, of Leys of Cowden, Muckhart, by Dollar, Clackmannan, in the miniature section before the sale.

In the standard section, the overall champion and winner of the St John's Wells Cup for the second year in a row were James and Renee Swan, of Teanahaun Croft, Old Leanrig Road, Conon Bridge, Dingwall, this time with Stow Viscount, a three-year-old licenced black stallion.

Their champion sold for the sale leading price of 1,000gns and went to Shetland to Tore Skarpnor, of Finnigarth, Mid Walls.

The reserve standard champion was Merkisayre Dally, a four-year-old chestnut mare from George Tait, of Sanik, Bridge-End, Burra, Shetland, which sold for 900gns to Christine Forbes, of Lower Lynmore, Drummuir, Keith.

The standard foal champion and winner of the perpetual challenge trophy for the second year running was Finnister Jilly, a skewbald filly foal from Mrs Irene Rutherford, of the North House, Gletness, South Nesting, Shetland. It sold for 70gns to Mrs Mary Nicoll, of Wallaceton Farm, Lugar, Cumnock.

The overall miniature champion was Nannau Midsummer, a nine-year-old black mare from Jane and Thomas Rendall, of Hollydell, Catfirth, South Nesting, Shetland. It sold for 650gns to David Hodge, of Lower Halstock Farm, Okehampton, Devon.

Reserve miniature champion was Elvis of Haybrake, a five-year-old piebald licenced stallion from Miss Ann Irvine, of Kininvie, Blackford, Rothienorman, which sold for 120gns to Marc Macintosh, of Greystone, Peterhead.

The miniature foal champion was Milday Good Morning Sunshine, a six-month-old skewbald filly foal from John Lawrie, of Arthur View Crescent, Danderhall, Dalkeith, Midlothian. It sold for 700gns to Melanie Riley, South Silverford Croft, Longmanhill, Banff.

Other leading prices included 800gns to James Swan for Stow Lorna Doon, a five-year-old black mare, sold to Jane Smith, of Highfields Farm, Church Lane, Middleton, Warwickshire.

Mr Swan also received 600gns for Stow Millie, a five-year-old black mare, from Graham Chenery, of Rose Villa, Worlingworth, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Messrs W and K Campbell, of Mid Calder, Thurso, received 500gns for Midcalder Elizabeth, a five-month-old skewbald filly foal from J Lyon, the3 Croft, Mid Anguston, Peterculter, Aberdeen.

There was a good turnout of buyers from across the UK with several ponies sold on-line as well to buyers in Fife, Paisley and the Highlands.

Auctioneer Philip Reid of Aberdeen and Northern Marts said: "Buyers were very selective this year although the best of quality and breeding did very well."