Zeph Schulz of Aspen Meadow Ranch with Frannie Abbott Fishtail Basin Ranch with high selling horse AMR Hickory Dry Fire.
After seven consecutive years of selling ranch-made mounts to folks looking for proven and experienced horses, the “REAL” Ranch Horse Invitational Sale organizers find that their product is still in very high demand. In fact, averages at this year’s “REAL” sale, held April 20th at the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch outside Billings, Montana, were higher than ever. The top five ranch horses at the sale averaged $12,850; the top ten averaged $10,800; and all ranch horses sold averaged $6941.
The top seller at this year’s sale garnering $15,000 was Lot 44,” AMR Hickory Dry Fire,” a 4-year-old gray gelding consigned by Aspen Meadows Ranch, Coalville, Utah. Winner of the Junior Horse Class in the Ranch Horse Competition, he could perform in the arena or in the hills. He sold to Fishtail Basin Ranch, Fishtail, Montana. There were two second high selling horses at this year’s “REAL” Ranch Horse Invitational Sale, both bringing $14,000. Lot 11, “DE Frosty O Llama,” a 9-year-old palomino gelding offered by Scott and Josie Rieger of Ismay, Montana sold to Shawn Nielsen, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada. A top horse at Ranch Rodeos, ridden at the WRCA Finals, roped both ends and could run barrels.
The other second high selling horse was Lot 16, “Oh Be Richochet,” a 7-year-old buckskin gelding brought to the sale by Vic and Carey Nelson of Valentine, Nebraska. A nice big well-rounded ranch horse that just about anyone could get along with went home with Tim Reimler of Buffalo, Wyoming.
The third high selling horse sold for $10,750 and was offered by Matt and Katie Walker of Sinclair, Wyoming. Lot 12, “Cowboy Gray Jaguar,” an 8-year-old gray gelding was purchased by Cathy Cole of Newcastle, Wyoming. He is big, gentle and been ridden by anyone and everyone.
Filling the fourth high selling spot and bringing $10,500 was Lot 25, “Sirfreckles Starlight,” a 6-year-old bay overo gelding, consigned by Lazy J3 Quarter Horses, Melstone, Montana. He won the Open Bridle Class in the Ranch Horse Competiton and had everything done with him on the ranch. They call him “Smiley” and he will be packing his bags for England.
Every year at the “REAL” sale, a few hands offer young ranch horses. These horses have the same background as their older counterparts, just fewer miles. There were two top selling young ranch horses this year, both bringing $5900. The first was, Lot 39, “Shadow Stinger,” a 6-year-old bay roan gelding offered by Ty Linger, Miles City, Montana. Having been used on the ranch for about everything he went home with Keith Jessop of Corvallis, Montana.
The second high seller was Lot 60, “Bennion,” a 4-year-old bay roan gelding brought by Shane Sorden, Melrose, Montana. A sure enough head horse prospect, big, gentle and stout. He is going to be taking a boat ride because he was purchased by Duane Shimogawa of Lawai, Hawaii. The top five young ranch horses offered for sale averaged $5000 and all the young ranch horses averaged $4161.
Horses sold to Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, California, Hawaii, Canada and the United Kingdom. Volume buyers at the sale included TE Ranch, Cody, Wyoming; Steve Uffelman, Hardin, Montana; Fishtail Basin Ranch, Fishtail, Montana; Shawn Nielsen, Spruce Grove, Alberta; Brent Kendze, Didsbury, Alberta and Robert Model, Cody, Wyoming.
The Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch hosts the “REAL” Ranch Horse Invitational Sale at its equestrian center. The sale of a benefit colt each year raises funds for the YBGR, which provides residential treatment services for at-risk youth. Bar 7U Quarter Horses of Choteau, Montana donated the 2013 benefit colt, a 2 –year-old sorrel gelding. Steve Mosser of Sheridan, Wyoming paid $750 for the well bred horse and 100% of the purchase price was donated to the YBGR.
Next year’s “REAL” Ranch Horse Invitational Sale is scheduled for April 18-19, 2014, and as usual next year’s catalog is already full of quality ranch horses.
For more information, visit the Montana Ranch Horse Association website at www.realranchhorses.com or call (406)446-2203.
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