BLS's February Special Catalogue Sale Report

A rocket-buster horse sale weekend saw a hot list of horses, all kinds, all disciplines, flat out rock the market at Billings Livestock’s \’February Special Catalog Sale\’ February 22-23-24.

Loaded with the \’better kind\’ of finished horses and prospects, a better-than-good selection showed to a full house as over 700 individuals registered to buy at the three-day sale which included an indoor preview of all performance horses.

So how good was it? The sale trumped all previous February sale statistics with a record setting top 100 sale average of $7,813, compared with $6,697 last year, and $5,797 in 2011 – that is a total of $111,000 better on 100 head of horses over one year ago.

Finished horses ruled the roost as horses with documented performance records – rodeo, roping, barrel racing, cutting, or reining – commanded finished horse price.

Wearing the 2012 title of \’PRCA Heel Horse of the Year in the Montana Summer Circuit,\’ Hip 364 \’Yellowhair Fellow\’ a 2006 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Haidas Little Pep and out of a daughter of Shining Spark was everything and more that he was bred to be.

Gentle, kind, perfect conformation, and rodeo ready, the proven heel horse was shown in the preview by Delon Parker, Worden , MT and topped the weekend’s offering with a $37,000 bid selling to Tom McGuire, Wheatland , WY .

As good as gold, Hip 306 \’THR Spark Of Gold\’ a 2004 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Smoke N Sparks and out of a Dry Doc bred mare was offered by Ross and Casey Wagner, Park City , MT.

The hauled and won-on barrel and head horse also ran poles and came quiet, gentle, and safe.

The handsome, proven gelding brought $23,000 and sold to Heather Veld, Brandon , SD.

Krebs Ranch, Gordon, NE offered a nice set of horses including Hip 365 \’Bennee Date\’ a 2005 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Smart Little Lena and out of the $117,000 money earning mare CD Date x CD O’lena.

The NCHA money earning gelding was shown on cattle in the preview by Kenny Platt and had also done duty on the Krebs Ranch as a using horse.

Kathy Markette, Missoula , MT purchased the royally bred gelding for $17,000.

Billings Livestock was proud to welcome NCHA Open Futurity Champion Russ Miller, St. Anthony, ID who offered four head from his program including Hip 408 “Dezi” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Filly x Desires Little Rex and out of Quanahs Miss N Reno.

The on-track three-year-old brought $12,500 and sold to Alan Chappell, Purcell , OK .

Real rope horse prospects ran in big numbers and included Hip 368 \’Hickorys Sweet Dual\’ a 2008 AQHA Chestnut Gelding by Dual Pep consigned by Scott Murdock, Loveland, CO and purchased by Blake Blatter, Livingston, MT for $14,750, and Hip 416 “MJG Solitary Five” a 2005 AQHA Bay Gelding x Peppys Boy 895 owned and shown by Turner Performance Horses, Stevensville, MT and selling to Shawn Anctil, Bellevue, Alberta for $13,000.

Good horses galore – all in one place, in one weekend, and all for sale- the top five average $21,450; top ten at $17,175; Top 20 brought $13,917; top 50 at $10,293; and the top 100 averaged $7,813.

Loose horses saw a solid market – inspite of the closure of all U.S. plants and the roadblocks that day after day get thrown in the way – BUT – Billings Livestock’s overall market, from top to bottom, saw steady demand.

On the loose the top five averaged $1,570; Top ten at $1,467; Top 20 brought $1,292; Top 50 at $907; and the top 100 averaged $626.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be the \’Spring Special Catalog Sale\’ March 23-24 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 22 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