The stats provide the proof – November’s top sale horse brought $8,500, followed by $8,300, and $6,500 at Billings Livestock\’s \”Holiday Special Catalog Sale\” November 27-28.
HorsePalace Arena hosted a bang-up indoor preview – roping, barrels, poles, cutting, and saddle and ride horses – on Friday, and – in true western winter wonderland style, horses previewed in the BLS arena on Saturday morning, too! It was seasonally snowy, looked like a Christmas card, and consignors and buyers didn\’t miss a beat.
A total of 559 head came through the gates at BLS where the top five averaged $7,160, top 10 at $5,600, top 20 at $4,355, with the top 50 at $3,007 and the top 100 at $2,067.
Interesting statistic – in the BLS top 20 sellers listing for November, every horse but four was seven years old or older – that’s 80% of the top sale horses – they had age, experience, and a chosen profession. And – buyers in the seats.
He’s the #1 Barrel Horse sire in the nation, and Dash Ta Fame sired the #1 sale horse of the weekend – Hip 65 “TMF Crazy Legs” a 2002 AQHA/APHA sorrel gelding offered by 7 Spurs Cattle Co., Quesnal, British Columbia.
Out of a a daughter of Strawfly Special, second dam “Cash Crazy” by Dash For Cash, the royally bred gelding had been hauled and won on at jackpots and rodeos and came “rodeo ready”.
Ranch used and ridden in the mountains, the good gelding brought $8,500 and sold to Bonnie Percival, Oxford, NE.
With over $35,000 in NCHA earnings, Hip 153 “Sweet Sugar Boon” a 99 AQHA bay mare by Dualin Blue Boon and out of a Smart Little Lena daughter was consigned by Mark and Patti Blackwell, Delano, MN.
Shown in the previews by Bob Janssen, Rush City, MN, the super-talented mare brought $8,300.
This guy was something special – handsome, talented, and bonused by gentle. Rope, rein, or just look good riding around – Hip 124 “Dig The Kid” a 2000 AQHA red dun gelding owned and shown by J.R. Winter, Livingston, MT was a good one.
Sired by Brennas Kid and out of a Corona Cody daughter, this guy was solid, had NRHA earnings, had been used outside, and was a finished heel horse, too.
Gary Bales, Boulder, UT purchased the quality gelding for $6,500.
The BLS horse sale community gathered Saturday evening for a benefit for friend and customer Tom Brannon, Sheffield, IA. Over $10,000 was raised to offset his medical expenses.
Sunday’s loose horse offering saw 297 head offered as is, where is, how is – with the top selling horse on the loose bringing $1,800.
Driven by supply and demand, the loose averages show a marked increase in price over one year ago – again reflected on the top end – where the top five loose averaged $1,195 compared to $870 in 2009, top 10 at $960 versus $760 last year, top 20 brought $724 compared to $643, top 50 at $539 against $470, and top 100 averaged $430 compared to $355.
Get set for one big day of horses, tack, and more horses on Saturday, January 22 as Billings Livestock kicks of the New Year with the “Winter Special Catalog Horse Sale” and annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” offering used and collectible tack.
To consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com