Billings Sale Report for February 21-23

From distinctive prospects to arena ready campaigners, childproof ponies to stand-out stallions, Billings Livestock’s “February Special Catalog Sale” February 21-23 swelled with blue chip livestock. A lot of good horses – all in one spot, all offered for sale, and all given the opportunity to preview, the three-day sale weekend hosted 702 individual buyers, 692 head of horses, and sent 622 horses to new homes from California to South Carolina, and north to two Canadian provinces. All previous sale average highs were shattered with this set of horses as the top five averaged a smoking $31,000 – a full $10,000 more than in 2013 – and $300 better than the previous record set in 2007 of $30,700 on the top five.

A super horse dressed in yellow, Hip 360 “Heza Diamond Spark” a 2005 AQHA Palomino stallion by Diamond J Star was truly a show stopper.

With $78,238 in NRCHA earnings and 38.5 AQHA points, the proven performer came with a long list of accomplishments and on Friday, previewed flawlessly with Justin Warneke.

Out of an AQHA World Champion mare by Shining Spark, “Sheza Shinette”, his mother had also earned $54,415 in NRCHA money.

Offered by Dr. Michael Garver, Great Falls, MT, the big-time stallion sold to Elyse Thomson, High River Alberta for $45,000.

Reserve sale honors went to Hip 309 “Red Dirt Roadie” a 2009 AQHA Red Roan Stallion by Jackson Land and Livestock’s NCHA Futurity Champion, Peptoboonsmal.

Stunningly handsome, the pink roan stallion showed perfectly in the preview by consignor Logan Ginkens, Anthon, IA.

With $21,323 in earnings and accomplishments that included the Congress Open Futurity Championship crown, he was out of Smart Lil Addition by Smart Aristocrat, a $42,572 money earner in her own right and producer of such horses as Cats Hitman and Missing Addition. Purchased by Don Allen, Turtle Ford, Sask, the ready-to-roll stallion brought $30,000.

Rope horses had their day as an impressive set of rope horses came to Billings, Montana. Leader of the pack and the weekend’s top selling gelding was Hip 347 “Gold Dry Doc Two” a 2006 AQHA Buckskin x Grays Golden Doc offered by Turner Performance Horses, Helena, MT and shown by Chad and Paje Turner.

Hauled and won on, tried and true, the finished head and heel horse had also been shown in ranch horse competitions. The hard-to-find, solid gelding brought $28,500 and sold to Scott Bradoc, Marmarth, ND.

He’d won $95,119 and Hip 390 “Smoothe Bye Design” a 2007 AQHA Sorrel Stallion by Smooth As A Cat and out of Absolutely Stunning – a $107,000 money earning daughter of Smart Little Lena – was the “business”. Consigned by Allan Chappell, Purcell, OK, the heavily credentialed stallion brought $26,500 and sold to Open Spear Ranch, Melville, MT.

Onto the barrel horses where pedigree and performance combined in Hip 325 “JF Streak In Creek” a 2008 AQHA Gray Gelding by Brian and Lisa Fulton’s barrel horse sire “A Streak Of Fling”. Offered by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA and shown by Riley Hanson, the mighty fine gelding ran a good barrel pattern, was built for the long haul, and stayed gentle. Purchased by Paul Jelde, Sidney, MT the special gelding brought $25,000.

The record setting sale averages include the top five at $31,000; Top ten at $24,750; Top 20 brought $19,325; top 50 averaged $12,832; with the top 100 horses at $9,062.

Geldings alone saw a $21,900 average on the top five and a $14,025 average on the top 20.

On the loose the top five averaged $1,850; Top ten at $1,460; Top 20 brought $1,097; Top 50 at $766; and the top 100 averaged $561.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be the “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 22-23 and will feature the annual “Outfitters, Guest, Dude Ranch and Trail Horse” offering in addition to a special session of “Roans Only”. All classes of horses will sell, in addition to a big selection of mules. An indoor preview of the barrel horses, cutters, saddle horses, and rope horses is scheduled for Friday, March 21 at 3 p.m.

For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com.