Sale Report for March 24-25

A solid set of labor-ready horses, mules, and ponies filled Billings Livestock Commission‘s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 24-25.

Billings welcomed big numbers to the annual sale selection of “Trail, Outfitting, Guide, and Guest“ rides, including 827 horses and mules, and 20 head of Montana-raised roping cattle.

Better geldings abounded in all colors, classes and kinds, and realized strong demand as 19 of the top 20 selling horses were geldings, five of them grade - and boasted an average ticket price of $5,075.

Four of the top five selling horses had barrel racing resumes which included hauled and won on rodeo horses, junior rodeo ponies, and an honest-to-goodness big time prospect.

The top five averaged a strong $6,680.

The only mare to crack the top 20 was also the weekend’s top sale horse, Hip 169 “Zeeslash Azure Flury” a 2004 AQHA Brown Mare x Yellowstone Dash x Dash For Cash and out of a Doc’s Jack Frost granddaughter.

Consigned by Phyllis Owens, Milton Freewater, OR the WPRA/PRCA rodeo horse brought $8,800 and sold to Megan Hardy, Wolf Point, MT.

He had been in good hands and it showed at the preview, and Hip 177 “Cat N The House” a 2008 AQHA Brown gelding x Lions Share of Fame x Dash Ta Fame and out of a Leinster House daughter was well on his way in his barrel racing career.

Offered by Jill Miller, Lewistown, MT, and purchased by NFR steer wrestler Birch Negaard, Negaard Ranch, Inc, Sundance, WY, the extra-broke four-year-old had also been ranched on. He brought $6,800.

Hip 218 “Ranger” a 2003 grade roan pony gelding had been ranched on, trail ridden, used in the mountains, hauled to shows, and did what was asked.

The attractive, gentle guy was consigned by Doug Stoddard, Billings, MT and sold for $6,000 to Reann Crane, Whitewood, SD.

One of those hard to find kind, Hip 209 “Pasa My Whiskey” a 2007 AQHA Chestnut Gelding x Surefine Whiskey came trained, shown, and offered by J.B. Lockie, Le Center, MN.

Talk about nice, the gelding stayed gentle, had been shown in AQHA events, and came with three Open and seven Amateur AQHA points in team sorting.

Carmen Gilbert, Camp Crook, SD purchased the ready-to-do anything gelding for $5,700.

Tight averages indicate the quality and demand for that quality at the March event as the top five averaged $6,680 and the top ten brought $6,030, top 20 at $5,075, top 50 averaged $3,797, and the top 100 rang the bell at $3,007.

Loose horses continue to hold their own, however, a lessened demand on the processing horses could be seen this month over February and January figures.

It continues as the best in the west loose trade where 414 head sold as is, where is and the top five averaged $1,415, top 10 came in at $1,252, top 20 brought $1,073, top 50 at $832, and the top 100 brought $639.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 28-29 and will feature the 14th annual “Rope Horse Special” catalog sale and regular monthly horse sale.

Lots of cattle, lots of opportunities to watch the rope horses, including a jackpot team roping open only to sale horses set for Friday, April 27.

PRCA World Champion Team Roper, Bobby Harris, will be on-site Friday, 12 noon, prior to the jackpot, for an informal, free roping seminar which will touch on scoring, horse position, facing, stopping, and roping basics.

Rope horses will show again in previews on Saturday and Sunday.

All classes of horses will sell including mares, stallions, finished horses, prospects, and young stock.

Cattle will also be available to show the cutting horses and calf horses.

Catalog closing date is April 5, with a supplement printed for later entries.

Sale Report for February 24-25-26

An ambitious market brimming with enthusiasm and energy fueled sale averages to a four-year sale high in all classes, all divisions including blue-chip livestock at Billings Livestock’s expanded three day “February Special Catalog Sale” event February 24-26.

Headlined by an A-list set of quality horses, February’s special “Sons and Daughters” sale session delivered - offering money earners, champions, and real prospects by industry greats including Peptoboonsmal, Dash Ta Fame, and High Brow Cat.

The top ten selling horses - four stallions, one mare, and the balance geldings - averaged a cool $17,775.

A one-stop-shop for arena, performance, and powerhouse prospects, the supersized, three-day sale format hosted 787 head of horses, and came complete with an indoor demonstration of the barrel horses, cutters, saddle, ride, and reiners, and rope horses.

Best news of the weekend - all classes of horses saw significant market increases as optimism gains regarding domestic horse processing.

Pink, fancy, and offered by the man who raised her, Hip 308 “Peptos Cuttin Girl’ a 2006 AQHA Bay Roan Mare x Peptoboonsmal and out of a $60,000 NCHA money earning mare by CD O’lena, earned top sale honors with a final bid of $33,000.

Consigned by Joe Bishop, Steamboat Springs, CO and trained and shown by Robin Hayes, Orchard, CO, the finished cutting mare sold to Claudia Lummis, Cheyenne, WY.

Sired by the Number One sire of barrel horses, Dash Ta Fame - with offspring accumulating over $6.6 million in barrel racing earnings through the end of 2010- Hip 332 “THR Jusda Beda Fame” a 2009 AQHA Bay Gelding - was out of Poo Cheng, a barrel racing money earner, producer, and Beduino granddaughter.

Raised and offered by Two Hats Ranch, Tillamook, OR the handsome, well started colt was purchased by National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Shelley Murphy, Helena, MT   for $20,000.

Pekisko Ranch, Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada offered 19 head in their herd alignment offering including “Lil Pepto Pistol” a 2005 AQHA Gray stallion x Sweet Lil Pepto and out of the famous mare and $500,000 money earner, Miss Silver Pistol.

Brad Howe, Empress, Alberta bought the fancy stallion with the top shelf genetics for $23,000.

Good geldings with credible arena records were a sought after commodity as the weekend’s top two selling rodeo-ready rope horses brought $15,500 and $12,000.

In shape and ready to haul , Hip 398 “Tejons Peppy Tucker” a 2002 AQHA brown gelding x Tejons Peppy Doc was a 1D/2D barrel horse and first-class head horse consigned by Dean and Gina Welch, Cottonwood Equestrian, Silesia, MT.

Head steers or run barrels, the strong, all business gelding sold to Dayle Kountz, Bozeman, MT for $15,500.

Hitting a four year best across all classes, sale averages indicate an upgraded market as the top five averaged $23,300, top ten at $17,775, top 20 brought $13,200, top 50 averaged $9,146 - compared with $8,126 one year ago, and $7,242 in 2010; and the top 100 horses averaged $6,697, versus $5,797 last year.

A much improved loose horse market saw an all-time, BLS record price paid for a loose horse of $3,000, followed by $2,900 and $2,100.

Over 30 head of horses that sold loose brought $1,000 or more boosting the top five sale average to $2,410, top 10 at $2,110, top 20 at $1,757, top 50 to $1,235, and the top 100 at a $879 per head price tag.

In 2010, the top 100 loose averaged $518 while just one year ago they calculated at $606 - making the $879 figure for 2012 a whopping $279 per head increase - or total dollars of $27,900 on 100 head.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be the “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 24-25 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 23 at 3 p.m

Loose horses sells on Sunday, March 25 at 9 a.m.

Sale Report for January 28

Loose horses kicked off Billings Livestock’s one-day “Winter Special Catalog Sale” January 28 and kick off they did - the first horse that stuck his head in the ring brought $2,100 and the next nine that followed averaged $1,335 - loose.

Confidence carried this market on a spectacular sale day where 415 head of horses sold to a capacity crowd with an all-time low pass out rate of six head, and an average sale price of $1,388 on every horse in the catalog.

January’s Top sale horse was really a pony and Hip 64 “Freija” a 2007 grade black pony mare rang the bell at $7,750.

A stand out pony with many year’s ahead of her, “Freja” was offered by Jerry and Samantha Hill, Powell, WY and sold to Mary Ann Burton, Sheridan, WY for her great-granddaughter.

Runnerup sale honors went to Hip 10 “MMy Sweet Romeo” a 2003 APHA Bay Overo Gelding by Gold Millenium consigned by Peaks To Prairie Livestock, Bridger, MT.

A gentle, finished show gelding with 16 halter points and three perfromance points, the nice guy had also been used team penning and sorting and sold to Chris Feller, Buicyrus, ND for $4,300.

The entire sale day got with it and produced something to talk about sale averages where one-fourth of the entire sale averaged a cool $1,790 per horse.

The solid, solid market shows in the averages - there is not much difference per head between the top ten and top 20 horses - and only $900 difference between the top 20 and top 50 - the top five averaged $4,650, top 10 at $3,810, top 20 brought $3,205, top 50 at $2,378, and the top 100 - and this will include nine horses that sold loose - brought $1,790.

In the loose horse offering alone the top five averaged $1,920 - with no rider, no speech, no warranty and selling 100 head per hour. Top ten loose averaged $1,710, top 20 at $1,363, top 50 brought $938, and the top 100 averaged $683.

The annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” held each January attracted all kinds of treasures and trinkets selling in two sale sessions.

Next on the BLS Sale line up is Billings Livestock’s “February Special Catalog Sale” featuring an expanded three-day sale format February 24-25-26

The sale weekend is highlighted by a special, limited session of “Sons and Daughters” of Champions and Money Earners in addition offering all classes of horses.

A preview of the rope horses, cutting horses, barrel horses, and saddle horses is set for Friday, February 24 at 11 a.m. at the Horse Palace Arena. Rope horses, calf horses, and cutting horses will all preview on cattle.

Catalogs will be available on-line Thursday, February 16 with hard copy catalogs mailed on Friday, February 17.

Sale Report for November 26

Get set for  one big day of horses, tack, and more horses on Saturday, January 28 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.

Sale Report for October 29-30

It was all the way around and all the way through - in all classes, all divisions and all kinds - a stronger horse market prevailed at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” October 29-30.

With a high of $3,400 on a weanling stud colt , $8,000 on a rope horse prospect, and $7,800 on a take-you-to-the pay-window rodeo pony a motivated and energetic buyer base came to Billings, Montana.

Statistics tell the story - top five averaged $7,660, top ten $6,760; and the top 20 deep at $5,500 - with 949 total horses offered and 65 no-sales.

The weekend’s top sale honors were split between Hip 116 - an honest rope horse prospect - and Hip 185 - a finished reiner with NRHA earnings - both horses commanded a final bid of $8,000 each..

Echeta Performance Horses, LLC, Gillette, WY offered Hip 116 “LH Decathalon Tivio” a 2005 AQHA Buckskin Gelding by CM Sugarfrost Tivio and out of a Friendly Fritz/Docs Decathalon granddaughter.

The attractive gelding showed better than good in both the heading and heeling during the sale previews, had been hauled to some high school rodeos, and came with an outside education as a ranch horse - gathering, doctoring, and branding.

With $5,000 in NRHA earnings, Hip 185 “Dual Rey Olena Play” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Dual Rey and out of Little Nurse Lena x Doc O’Lena previewed flawlessly.

Offered by Sharon Gelhaus, Wilsall, MT the ready-to-go-show mare sold to Sandy Corriveau, Eckville, Alberta.

Her name fit her perfectly and oh, what a pony - Hip 146 “Fancy” a 1998 grade buckskin mare had raised three boys in the arena earning them buckles, confidence, and all-around titles.

The hard-to-find-kind, “Fancy” was offered by Bille Schaff, Worden, MT and sold for $7,800 to Curt Ackerman, Crawford, NE.

Full of substance and extra-pretty, too - Hip 150 “Irish Serendipity” a 2005 AQHA bay Mare x Paddys Irish Whiskey was out of Kempe Doc x Doc’s Hickory was consigned by Tony Wilson, Greenville, TX.

Selling in foal to Banjo Whiz, the mare brought $7,000 and sold to Valley Sian, Worden, MT.

Hip 184 “Whizs Painted Gun” a 2007 APHA Sorrel Tobiano Gelding x Colonels Smokingun was the first “Gunner” to be offered at BLS.

Owned and trained by Matt Wilson, Las Animas, CO, the finished reiner had been used all summer on the ranch moving cattle and came gentle and friendly.

The unique gelding brought $7,500.

Loose horses saw a bump in value over September figures as the top five averaged $930, top ten brought $770, top 20 averaged $658, top 50 came in at $509, and the top 100 averaged $405.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Holiday Special Catalog Sale” featuring performance horses - set for Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 26. The weekend will offer an indoor, climate controlled preview for all horses on Friday, November 25 at the HorsePalace Arena. All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation. Cattle will be available to show the cow horses and rope horses. To consign or reserve your catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, Horse Sale Managers, at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

Sale Report for September 23-24-25

Billings, MT - With emphasis on rope horses - from ready-to-rodeo rides to prospects, a super-sized selection of horses headlined Billings Livestock Commission’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale September 23-25.

The September sale at BLS celebrated 77 years as “Montana’s Pioneer Market” and offered an expanded three day sale format that saw 1,203 head of horses come to town with sellers from 15 states and two Canadian provinces.

Saturday’s offering included a special “Retirement” offering from Jim and Dena Bower, Worland, WY, home of Lowry Star JR. A total of 57 head from their foundation program were offered.

Rope horses laid it out there Friday afternoon where 126 teams - all aboard sale horses - competed in a two-go-around and finals format “Sale Horse Jackpot“.

Winning the roping, taking home Gordy Alderson Trophy Bits, and nailing three steers with a total time of 22.15, Hip 425 “WR Mr Smokecloud” offered by Turner Performance Horses and ridden by Chad Turner combined forces with Hip 508 “Safari High” on the heel end.

The snappy little heel horse - a 2004 AQHA Red dun gelding by Sportin High Brow and out of a Little Safari Badger daughter was consigned by I.W. Ward, Crawford, TX and roped on in the jackpot by Sid Sporer, Cody, WY.

He also came complete with NCHA earnings and had won three saddles and a trailer so far this year and Debra Loendorf, Kersey, CO purchased the quality gelding for $8,500.

“Rope Horses” claimed 13 positions in the BLS Top Twenty Sellers listing - bearing an average ticket price of $6,886.

Rope, run barrels, or just ride around on a nice horse, Hip 362 “Hickory Tally” a 2004 AQHA Palomino Gelding offered by Ferlin Darnell, Pueblo, CO was the real deal.

The attractive head/heel horse combo showed outstanding in the previews and jackpot and brought $13,500, making him the weekend’s top sale horse.

JHG Land and Livestock, Palo Cedro, CA offered eight head of cowbred horses including Hip 344 “ Bugs Merada” a 2003 AQHA sorrel gelding x Meradas Money Talks and out of Lucky Baylite x Grays Starlight.

An extra-nice ranch and using horse that came double-gentle, “Bugs” had been used extensively as a turn-back horse and used at rodeos, ropings, and as a bridle horse.

The honest gelding brought $7,200 and sold to Morris Monias, LacLa Biche, Alberta.

Montana’s working class gelding market continued it’s stonghold as buyers came to gather “all business” geldings. Top five geldings averaged $8,840.

Hip 325 “Pryors Buckett” a 2004 AQHA Buckskin mare consigned by Lexy Burgduff Villegas, Casper, WY was a finished barrel horse by Pryors First Prize x Dash For Perks.

The good little mare brought $6,750 and sold to Donna Rankin, Dillon, MT.

Sale averages include the top five selling horses at $10,600, top 10 brought $8,795; top 20 at $7,072; top 50 averaged $5,168, while the top 100 brought $3,907.

Motivated by supply and demand, the loose market saw the top five bring $1,134; top ten at $964; tp 20 borught $791; top 50 averaged $571; and the top 100 brought $428.

Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” is set for October 29-30 with two, big days of horse sales.

An indoor, climate and ground controlled preview for the barrel horses, cutters, saddle and ride horses, calf horses, and team roping horses is set for 3 p.m. on Friday, October 28 at the HorsePalace Arena, exit 437 on I-90.

Complete catalog will be available on-line Thursday, October 20 at www.billingslivestock.com or reserve your's now by calling 406-245-4151. 

Sale Report for August 27-28

From the ranch to the arena and all stops in between, experience paid dividends at Billings Livestock Commission’s “August Catalog Sale” August 27-28.

Performance horses - with a push on barrel and speed bred horses - flavored the weekend’s offering where the top five selling horses averaged $11,260 and proved that experience matters - the average age of a top five seller was 10 years plus - and included two 7-year-olds, a 15 year-old, a 14 year-old, and a ten year old.

A full sale weekend saw 903 head of horses come and go over the two days selling across the map with 243 people actually purchasing horses. with addresses in 14 states and Canada.

Leading the charge was Hip 186 “Okey Dokey Partner” a 2001 AQHA Bay gelding x Okey Dokey Dale and out of Teresas Partner x Extra Easy.

A big-time, money-winning gelding, “Okey” had set four arena records barrel racing in addition to accumulating cash on the track as a three year old.

Wearing the E2 brand, the professional level gelding was consigned by Mike Grewell, Joliet, MT and Jon Ottun, Ballantine, MT and sold to agent Central Texas Livestock, Garland, TX for $26,000.

C.R. Bohleen Cattle Co., Wilsall, MT offered Hip 158 “Divas Devil Do” a 2004 AQHA Bay mare x Raren To Dash and out of a New Design daughter.

Futuritied, derbied, and ridden at rodeos by Cally Goyins, Helena, MT, the good mare had seen the pay window many times, and came paid into the 5 State Maturity and the King Arena Maturity for 2011.

Codi Smith, Bozeman, MT purchased the ride to the winners circle for $9,500.

Cowan Select Horses, Havre, MT offered three head of horses that were raised and trained on the ranch including Hip 227 “Roostin Houston” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Hey Houston and out of a Gallo Del Cielo daughter, “Cherroo”.

Cashing checks as a three year old in the reined cowhorse events, the handsome gelding had seen extensive ranch and mountain use, would hold a rope, and ride where you point him.

He brought $5,900 and sold to Candace Burch Sterling, Moore, MT.

Sale averages include the top 5 at $11,260; top 10 at $8,460, top 20 borught $6,155; top 50 averaged $4,149; and the top 100 came in at $2,979.

Loose horses saw a slight up tick over July figures as 421 head offered. The top five averaging $1,042, top 10 at $817; top 20 brought $678; top 50 averaged $547 and the top 100 brought $471.

Expanded to three days, Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 23-25.

The big, fall sale event will headline “Rope Horses” and host a special 77^th anniversary celebration for Billings Livestock Commission.

Team roping jackpot on sale horses is set for Friday, September 23.

See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151.

Sale Report for July 23-24

Professional grade geldings were the stars of the show and oh, how they shined at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog” Sale July 23-24.

Buyers held their feet to the gas on the geldings as 381 head of cataloged horses were offered - 285 of them geldings - and the top two sale horses, both geldings - brought $12,000 a piece.

Offering a big selection of horses - 780 in all - every kind , color, and class, all in one place, and all in one weekend, buyers from New York state to California headed to the Big Sky for a weekend chuck full of horses, ponies, and mules.

Leading the pack were two geldings offered by the Double K Ranch, McCook, NE, and included Hip 31 “Sonnys Fine Chex” a 2003 AQHA palomino by Chexs Gold Fritz and out of a Sonny Dee Bar mare and Hip 83 “Quarter Osage” a 2005 AQHA Blue Roan x Last Canal and out of a Blue Boy Hancock bred dam.

Both geldings came gentle, ranch ridden, and handsome, with Hip 31 purchased by Mike Chipko, Topanga, CA and Hip 83 heading north with Grant Little and Rayel Robinson, Thorsby, Alberta, Canada.

The top five horses averaged $10,680.

Just call them “made-to-order” Hips 173/173X “Duke and Daisy” a six and seven year old gray pony team, were broke to ride and drive and had been in parades, grand entries, sleigh rides, and been all over town.

Shown and offered by Kelly Horses, Midway, UT, the unique pair - complete with their special sized harness - sold to Drew and Judy Hutchinson, Alladin, WY.

In the cutting session, Zeph Schultz, Coalville, UT offered an extra nice mare, Hip 145 “Lil Miss Missfit” a 2008 AQHA Bay by Pepto Taz and out of Miss Cuttin Wood.

Pretty, ready-to-show, and flashy on a cow, the mare showed extremely well in the previews and sold for $8,400 to Belinda Zundel, Portage, UT.

BLS is proud to be “Pony Central” offering ponies of all sizes and levels including Hip 109 “Peanut” a 2003 Grade Sorrel gelding offered by Shelly Brodkorb, Vigirl, SD.

The pint sized fellow brought $1,100 and sold to Elvera Neuhardt, Miles City, MT.

Good mules like good horses get attention and Hip 432 “John” a 2005 Dun John Mule offered by Clancy and Ida McNabb, Cody, WY was gentle, stayed gentle, ranch ridden, and would pack and drive, too.

Marvin Freid, Bismarck, ND bought the hard-to-find-kind for $7,400.

Strong summertime sale averages include the top ten at $9,230; top 20 brought $7,737; top 50 averaged $5,622, with the top 100 coming in at $4,102.

Loose horses gained some speed over June prices, and in the prospect division the top five averaged $1,375, top ten at $1,230, top 20 at $1,040, top 50 at $517, and the top 100 averaged $456.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Catalog Sale”, and “Montana Miniature and Pony Sale” August 27-28.

UBRC barrel race with $300 added - open to all barrel racers - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday afternoon August 26 in the BLS Arena.

Sale horses are encouraged to compete and enter with a $100 bonus awarded to the sale horse clocking the fastest time.

An all time record number of horses - 1,498 in all - were offered for sale at Billings Livestock during the expanded three day sale weekend June 24-26.

Showcased by a super set of stock horse geldings, Billings Livestock’s annual “Summer Special” catalog sale featured an array of “extreme geldings“ some straight from the calving pasture and branding corral brought to town by the regions top ranches and cowhands.

Complimented by the “Best of the Remuda” Ranch horse competition held Friday, the using horses came to town to show their stuff in a judged competition - and - geldings claimed 18 out of the top 20 selling positions, with 15 of them wearing gray, roan, palomino, paint, or buckskin color.

Billings Livestock was proud to welcome representatives from the American Quarter Horse Association including Tom Persechino from the AQHA’s public policy division.

Tom addressed sale goers on the latest issues affecting horse owners currently in Congress including processing, taxes, disease, disaster relief and discussed the AQHA’s “PAC” - political action committee.

In addition, Tammy Garrison with the AQHA’s “On-Site Services” who facilitated paperwork, answered questions, and resourced records.

Back in the sale ring - he topped the sales chart and earned co-champion honors in the competition, and Hip 407 “Pay Hickory Cash” a 2003 AQHA Gray gelding x Cat Silver and out of a Pay Forty Four daughter was born and raised on the historic Pitchfork Ranch.

Offered by Raymond Havard, Lufkin, TX, shown by Robbie Moore, Pinedale, WY, and purchased by Jim Neshem, DesLacs, ND, the honest-to-goodness, hard-to-find-kind of a gelding brought $10,500.

Ranch horse competitor, cutter, team sorter, and just an all-around good guy - Hip 35 “Colored Kryptonite” a 2001 APHA Sorrel Tobiano Gelding x Color Me Smart was offered and shown by Keith Marquart, Fort Collins, CO.

The kind that will do whatever you want to do, the respectful gelding came gentle, handsome, and broke, and sold to Donald LaPlant, Bozeman, MT for $10,000.

Fred Love, San Juan, CA offered Hip 483 “Smokums Steady Prize” a 2003 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Smokums Prize x Smokums Oak and out of a daughter of Freckles Playboy.

Ranched on for two years, the prime age gelding was quiet, had seen lots of brandings and cattle, and sold for $6,500 to John Manley, Drummond, MT.

Polished, pretty, and palomino, Hip 236 “LazyFourJacksCommand” a 2003 AQHA gelding x Class O Command came consigned by Clay and Stacy Swain, Park City, UT.

Shown in the competition by Matt Bailey, Wellsville, UT, the class gelding nailed his reining and cow work and the BLS ranch horse co-championship for 2011.

Purchased by Duane and Nicky Stellflug, Laurel, MT, the A-plus gelding had a resume that also included hunting, roping, and starting colts.

He put on a show and Hip 235 “Twinkie” a 2004 grade palomino gelding consigned by Laura Hansen, Kearns, UT had it all going on - from horse shows to team penning, he pulled inner tubes, crossed water, and could keep up with the big horses, too.

The special pony brought $4,250 and sold to Michael Bennett, Tennessee Colony, TX for $4,250.

Complete sale averages include the top five at $8,150; top ten brought $6,850; top 20 at $5,770; top 50 averaged $4,292 and the top 100 came in at $3,330.

A record 884 head of horses were offered loose - selling in seven hours Sunday morning - with the top selling loose horse fetching a $2,100 bid.

Loose horse averages include the top five at $1,830, top 10 at $1,565, top 20 averaged $1,303, top 50 brought $950, and the top 100 averaged $714.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be July 23-24.

The annual “Mid-Summer” Catalog Sale – features cutting and cow bred horses – with two full days of horse sales and previews.

All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation.

Designed to allow the sellers an opportunity to showcase their consignments and at the same time, giving the buyer an honest, professional opportunity to assess the horses, Friday’s special preview of cutting horses on cattle will begin at 5 p.m. in the BLS Arena.

Saturday’s preview begins at 9 a.m. with another look at the cutters on cattle, followed by the saddle and ride horse demonstrations, with calf horses and team roping horses showing at 11 a.m. Catalog Sale Time is 12 Noon each day. Loose horses sell at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

300 plus catalog horses are expected with a catalog closing date of Tuesday, July 5.

Sale Report for April 23-24

Rodeo ready, jackpot winners, and plenty of prospects - the weekend belonged to the rope horses, all 162 of them, at Billings Livestock Commission’s annual “April Special Catalog Sale” featuring “Rope Horses” April 23-24.

Save your time, truck, and diesel - 689 head of horses came to Billings over the two days with 621 selling to buyers from across the United States and Canada.

Billings Livestock was proud to host PRCA World Champion and two-time George Strait Team Roping Classic Champ, Bobby Harris, who conducted a well attended, informative, roping seminar prior to the sale horse jackpot on Friday at the HorsePalace Arena.

Sale horses shined in the jackpot as a record 201 teams competed in a two-go-round, finals format roping - allowing the consignor to show his horse a minimum of six times - an honest-to-goodness true competition set-up designed for buyers to take notes and shop.

Winning the Gordy Alderson trophy bits, $608 each, and The Rope Shop’s new 4 strand “Gator Gripper”, Hip 88 “Cactus Red Peppy” a 98 AQHA Sorrel gelding owned by David Eaton, Benton City, WA and ridden by Delon Parker heading joined forces with Hip 250 “AJ Dancer” a 96 grade black gelding owned by Wendy Winn, Nephi, UT and piloted by Quinn Kesler on the heels, for the roping championship - nabbing three in 22.23.

The horses brought $8,000 and $6,700 respectively.

It was truly a roping show as BLS welcomed NFR Qualifiers Bobby Harris, Matt Zancanella, Brent Lewis, and the man currently ranked number three in the world standings heading - Spencer Mitchell.

Just call him a superstar, Hip 214 “Dacata Chic” a 2002 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Smart Chic O’lena and out of a Texas Kicker daughter was an all-in-one package offered by Jason Hershberger, Litchfield, AZ.

Pro-caliber heel horse, head on him, too, AQHA World Qualifier twice, NRCHA money-earner of $2,563, and came with 46 AQHA heading points, 26 AQHA heeling points, and 10 Cow Horse points, and shared top sale honors in April with a $12,000 final bid from Tom Hanson, Berthold, ND.

Sharing the top spot was Hip 186 “QCS Hickota Levi” a 05 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Hicata and out of a daughter of Snip of Colonel offered by Tara Turbiville, Rhame, ND.

Ranch on him, let the kids ride, run barrels, or rope, the gentle gelding also topped the charts at $12,000.

Hip 189 “Charmin Te” a 94 AQHA sorrel gelding x A Lotta Te was a bonafide, back in the box, go-get-the money, bulldogging horse brought to Billings by J.D. Stensland, Wolf Point, MT.

The good, honest, ride brought $8,000 and sold to Tyce Helmig, LeDuc, Alberta.

Sale averages reflect the strength and depth of the horses offered at the Billings market as the top five horses averaged a $10,400 price tag; Top ten brought $9,300 followed by the top 20 averaging $8,157, top 50 came in at $6,198, while the top 100 head averaged $4,748.

Five year, top 100 average sales comparison: 2011 - $4,748; 2010 - $4,433; 2009 - $3,980; 2008 - $4,724; and 2007 - $4,694.

Sunday morning’s loose horse session saw a strong crowd as exactly 300 head of horses were offered as is, where is, how is - no rider, no speech, no warranty - with the top selling horse fetching $1,575.

America’s number one loose horse market saw the top five average $1,390, top ten bring $1,283, top 20 at $1,055, top 50 averaged $720, and $531 on the top 100.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for May 28 - 29 and will feature the annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale in addition to the “Best of the Remuda” Ranch Gelding competition. Featured in May will be Ranch geldings along with kid’s ponies and horses.

Set for Sunday, May 29 - a special, limited session of Appaloosa horses will also sell.

Ranch Horse competition is set for 3 p.m. Friday, May 27 at the HorsePalace Arena, Exit 437 on I-90.

Cattle will be available both days to preview the rope horses and cutting horses.

For more information, 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

Sale Report for March 26-27

Gentle on My Mind

Pint sized and super sized -   trail, tourist, and time tested - horses, mules, and ponies filled the sale offering at Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 26-27.

Held each and every March, the “Trail, Outfitting, Guide, and Guest” horse and mule feature offered    756 head over the two days, including 11 teams and 70 mules.

 A two-day  total of 460 buyers registered with 236 actually purchasing  livestock,  and  109 buying two or more head.

 With all the magic of a “My Little Pony”, Hip 10 “Tonto” took  top sale honors for the weekend with a $7,500 price tag.

 Offered by Clancy McNabb, Cody, Wy, the 11 year-old palomino pony gelding  was a true beginner’s package - cute, gentle, happy, and would also drive single.  

The “point-and-go” pony went home with  Teresa Harriet, Clearmont, WY.  

Kelly Horses, Midway, UT offered a nice set of trail and mountain horses including Hip 143 “Pete” an 03 Grade Buckskin gelding. 

A family horse that  knew his way around the sagebrush, the flashy fellow brought $7,000 and sold to Ernie Clifton, Sidney, MT.  

An excellent prospect for ranch, roping, or working cowhorse, Hip 37 “Annabelles Pepto Taz” a 2007 AQHA sorrel gelding x Pepto Taz and out of a Little Peppy granddaughter was extra broke and gentle. 

Offered by Lynn “Spook” Pearman, North Platte, NE, the attractive gelding was purchased by Teresa Sperry, Wiggins, CO for $4,500. 

Colby and Cody Gines, Powell, WY brought a first-class set of mules to Billings including Hips 235 and 235X “Bell and Bess” a seven-year-old gray molly mule team.   

Broke to pack or drive, the team had been used in the Gines’ outfitting business for the past two years and had seen more back country than most  folks ever will. 

Jerren Carles, Big Fork, MT purchased the unique pair of real using mules for $4,000. 

Ten years old,  red roan, and a true family  or guest trail horse, Hip 16 “Rigby” would travel in daylight or dark, front or back of the string,  would also pack, cross rivers, deadfall, and bridges, and was a sure-shot mountain horse. 

Consigned by Scott and Sandy Sallee, Emigrant, MT, the utilitarian-kind-of guy brought $3,600 and sold to Robin Schindele, Emmett, ID. 

Super solid, from the minute the gate cracked Saturday until the last horse on Sunday,  sale averages include the top five at $5,900, top 10 averaged $5,020, top 20 at $4,260, top 50 averaged $4,418, and the top 100 came in at $2,609. 

Loose horses rocked as the high selling loose of the day fetched $2,200, followed by $1,500, $1,350 - pushing the top five average to $1,520, top 10 at $1,365, top 20 brought $1,181, top 50 at $852, and the top 100 brought $669. 

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 23-24and will feature the 13th annual “Rope Horse Special” catalog sale and regular monthly horse sale. 

Lots of cattle, lots of opportunities to watch the rope horses, including a jackpot team roping open only to sale horses set for Friday, April 22.  

PRCA World Champion Team Roper, Bobby Harris, will be on-site Friday, 12 noon, prior to the jackpot, for an informal, free roping seminar which will touch on scoring, horse position, facing, stopping, and roping basics.  

Rope horses will show again in previews on Saturday and Sunday.  

All classes of horses will sell including mares, stallions, finished horses, prospects, and young stock.  

Cattle will also be available to show the cutting horses and calf horses. 

Catalog closing date is April 5, with a supplement printed for later entries.

Sale Report for February 25-26-27

Three full days of horse sales at Billings Livestock’s “February Special Catalog Sale” February 25-27 saw a good and glowing market where the top five rang the bell with a $20,000 average ticket price.

The top five selling horses included a $124,000 money earning son of Grays Starlight, a solid-as-solid-gets head horse, an NRCHA World Champion, and two money earning daughters of High Brow Cat.

Quality was King - from promising prospects to arena ready campaigners, purple pedigreed mares to stand-out stallions, the weekend was a one-stop-shop that welcomed 659 head of horses and nearly 700 registered buyers.

Sale averages are comparable or better than one year ago and actually higher on the top 50 head by nearly a $1,000 bill. Top 10 averaged $15,150, top 20 brought $11,645, top 50 at $8,126, and the top 100 brought $5,798.

Pretty, polished, and ready-to-go, Hip 327 “Little Polo Joe” a 1999 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Grays Starlight and out of Little Missy Lena came with $126,854 in earnings and 40 AQHA points.

Truly a showstopper, the stunning stallion showed outstanding in the preview and sold sound to show and breed.

Offered and ridden by Burke Sullivant, Gainesville, TX the special stallion was purchased by Linda Collins, Olathe, CO for a final bid of $36,000.

Billings Livestock was proud to offer three head consigned by the #1 NRCHA Lifetime Leading Owner and #1 NRCHA Lifetime Leading Non Pro Rider, Anne Reynolds, King Hill, ID including Hip 346 “Cash Us McClain” a 1997 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Nu Cash and out of the famous mare Nancy McLain.

The $50,000 NRCHA money earning stallion was purchased by Don Harrington, Dillon, MT for $17,000.

Oh so pretty - Hip 284 “Susies Kitty” a 2005 AQHA Bay mare sired by High Brow Cat - Equi-Stats #1 Leading cutting sire, NCHA-AQHA leading Cutting Sire for Seven Consecutive Years, and the sire of offspring with earnings exceeding $43 million, and out of the Little Peppy daughter Glo Bonita Peppy, brought $12,500.

Shown by Steve Colclasure and consigned by Tim Dunn, the NCHA money earning mare sold to Tom Atwood, Orland, CA.

He bred him, raised him, and still owns his mother, and Harvey Lewis, Livingston, MT offered Hip 345 “MJ Dunit” a 2005 AQHA Buckskin Gelding x Hollywood Dun It and out of Catty N Classy x Taris Catalyst.

The one-owner gelding with NRHA earnings including wins at Energy City Open, Big Sky Reining Open Reserve Champ, and Yellowstone Slide Novice Horse Open Champion was shown by J.R. Winter, sold for $10,000 and moved to New York with Lauren and Cynthia Pfifer.

Hip 277 “NutinButTheTailLites” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel gelding x King Of The Lanes and out of Famous Irish Cream x Dash Ta Fame was the weekend’s top selling barrel horse.

Offered by Jill Miller, Lewistown, MT, the talented gelding brought $10,500 and sold to Tony Langdon, Aubrey, TX.

Possibly the biggest news of the weekend was in the loose horse pen where loose horses brought more per head than they have in three years - 50 cents per pound on a processing horse.

191 head were offered loose with the top 100 - over ½ of the horses offered as is, where is, how is - averaging $606.50 per head.

That compares with $408 on the top 100 just one month ago and $518 per head one year ago.

Loose averages include the top five at $1,365, top ten brought $1,162, top 20 at $947, top 50 averaged $738 and top 100 at $606.50.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be the “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 26-27and 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 25 at 1 p.m.

Sale Report for January 22, 2011

The 2011 horse sale season took off in a positive fashion at Billings Livestock’s “Winter Special Catalog Sale” and annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” January 22.

One big day of horses, tack, and more horses saw 363 head of horses offered in addition to two sale sessions of used and collectible tack items.

Horse after horse, the market held solid and steady, from first horse to last, the top 50 horses averaged just under $2,000 per head.

The weekend’s selection was headlined by LeRoy Bieber’s dispersion of 48 head of horses, including AQHA point earners, extra-nice ranch, riding, and using geldings, mares, and young stock.

The top five averaged $3,380 - every horse a Bieber consignment.

The Leola, SD rancher and breeder had the day’s top selling horse - Hip 65 “Biebers Oak Lite” a 2003 AQHA Palomino gelding x TC Rebel Cody and out of Docs Golden Oak x Doc’s Oak.

A finished reiner that had been shown in “everything” at local shows by kids, the pretty gelding was started on barrels, and had also been used elk hunting.

Ed Burge, Medical Lake, WA purchased the all-around, one-owner gelding for $3,900.

4K Livestock, Jackson, MN offered Hip 56 “First Buckwheat” a 2004 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Adams First Dancer x First Down Dash and out of a Special Effort granddaughter.

The big, upstanding gelding had been used on the ranch calving and sorting and came smart and sensible, and moved to Meridian, ID with Quint Whitman for $3,000.

On the tack side, the “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” saw a 1920’s horsehair hitched , Deer Lodge, Montana prison-made, headstall fetch $2,600. Selling in excellent condition, the multi-colored, complete headstall and reins sold to a Montana collector.

Sale averages on the horses include the top five at $3,380; top ten averaged $3,100, top 20 at $2,670; and the top 100 at $1,494.

Loose horses saw a bump in value over November prices as the top loose horse of the day brought $1,200 and the top five averaged $1035; top ten $883; Top 20 at $709, top 50 at $572 and the top 100 averaged $408.

Billings Livestock’s “February Catalog Sale” will feature an expanded three-day sale format February 25-26-27.

The sale weekend is highlighted by a special, limited session of “Sons and Daughters” of Champions and Money Earners in addition to the NFR Session. All classes of horses will sell.

A preview of the rope horses, cutting horses, barrel horses, and saddle horses is set for Friday, February 25 at 11 a.m. at the Horse Palace Arena. Rope horses, calf horses, and cutting horses will all preview on cattle.

Catalogs will be available on-line Thursday, February 17 with hard copy catalogs mailed on Friday, February 18.

Sale Report for November 27-28

Talk About Nice

Good horses continue to ring the bell as horse savvy buyers keep the demand strong on a better horse.

 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., LTD, Quensal, 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

Sale Report for October 23-24

They just keep on keeping on and the all-around good geldings continued to ignite the market at Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” October 23-24.

A grand total of 780 head of horses were offered and for the third consecutive month, geldings laid claim to the top seller position.

Wrapped in Matt Dillon buckskin, Hip 183 “Shi Sugar” a 2006 AQHA gelding x Pavos Golden Magic and out of a Mr. Sparkle Bar daughter, came gentle, pretty, and dazzled in the roping previews.

Offered by Turner Performance Horses, Victor, MT the multi-talented, extra broke, four-year-old had already won Stock Horse accolades in addition to being used outside, swam rivers, and ridden in the mountains.

Cheryl Albertson, Northwood, ND purchased the quality gelding for $11,500.

Head, heel, breakaway, run barrels or tie-down rope, he did it all - and Hip 90 “Boss Olena” a 98 AQHA Bay gelding x Olenas Command and out of a Colonel Freckles bred mare was the total high school or junior rodeo package.

Consigned and shown by Cassi Johnson, Bismarck, ND, the money-winning gelding brought $5,500 and sold to Leonard Vanek, Silesia, MT.

An extra-nice set of two and three year olds came offered by Rhodes River Ranch, Arlington, WA including Hip 28 “April Buds” a 2007 AQHA Bay mare x Nic It In The Bud and out of Tivio Madera x Freckles Playboy.

The fancy little mare showed outstanding in the cutting previews, could slide, stop, and spin, was NRBC enrolled, and sold for $4,600 to Ron Schumaker, Granger, WA.

Jim and Shelli Langdeau, Fort Pierre, SD offered six head of ranch raised and ridden using geldings, including Hip 39 “JSL Ima Golden King” a 2002 AQHA Palomino gelding x JL Poco Dun and out of a Krogs Pappy Leo bred dam.

With four solid years of summer and winter ranch work on his resume, the golden gelding had also been started heeling and sold to Mason Winebarger, Crowheart, WY for $3,200.

A sale highlight included 72 head offered by North Country Quarter Horses, Big Sandy, MT, Fred, Linda, and Grace Finke. .

Reference stallions bloodlines include sons of Frenchmans Guy, Gumbo Roany, Leo Hancock Hayes, and NLD Eddie Hancock.

North Country Quarter Horses offered a whopping set of weanlings including Hip 137 “LF Smiling Gus” a blue roan stallion x Hancock Silver King.

The stud colt left the sale ring with a final bid of $1,500 from Duane and Nicky Stellflug, Laurel, MT.

28 head of weanlings straight from the North Country program averaged $636.

Solid and steady, sale averages include the top five at $5,960, top ten averaged $4,790, top 20 at $3,970, top 50 $3,039, and the top 100 brought $2,277.

Billings Livestock saw 375 head offered on the loose where the top horse brought $1,600 and the top five averaged $1,040.

Pressure on the loose market continues, however, the top ten loose averaged $870, top 20 brought $669, top 50 averaged $479, and the top 100 brought $376.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Holiday Special Catalog Sale” featuring performance horses - set for Thanksgiving weekend, November 27-28

The weekend will offer an indoor, climate controlled preview for all horses on Friday, November 26 at the HorsePalace Arena.

All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation.

Cattle will be available to show the cow horses and rope horses.

Sale Report for September 25-26

A bigger, better, and broader selection of horses - with emphasis on rope horses, brought 'em to Billings for the annual fall presentation of Billings Livestock's "Cow Country Classic" catalog sale and “Fall Rope Horse Special” September 25-26.

The energy started Friday afternoon at the “roping show” put on in the BLS arena as the sale horse jackpot hosted 138 teams in the two-go-around and finals format roping professionally produced by the Wrangler Team Roping Championships (WTRC) staff.

Roping three in 26.02, taking home Gordy Alderson Trophy Bits, Rocky Mountain Rope Co. Ropes, and $490 each, the team or Paul Smith, Lewiston, ID and Paul Griemsman, Piedmont, SD nailed first place in the jackpot.

Smith headed on Hip 47 “Mexicalli Chex” a 2004 AQHA Bay Mare by Demand A Chex and Griemsman, the reigning Dodge National Circuit Finals Champion Heeler, made it look easy aboard Hip 131 “Zandywood” a 2003 AQHA Buckskin Gelding raised and offered by Tony and Kathy Monnens, Hazel, SD.

An honest-to-goodness smoking set of rope horses set the pace for the weekend where the top sale horse brought $17,000 and the top five - every one a rope horse - averaged $10,100.

902 head of horses - exactly 400 head offered loose; 538 individual buyers with 307 purchasing; 94 pass outs, and 8 corriente cows summarize the big, two-day sale weekend.

Talk about nice, Hip 121 “Roosters Mocha” a 2001 AQHA Gray gelding x Mr Gallo Del Cielo had been ranch ridden, and hauled heading and heeling.

Strong, smart, and an eye-catcher, the real rope horse was offered by Tracie Thornburgh and Billy Ward, Chiloquin, OR and sold to Tony and Hailey Belcourt, Box Elder, MT for $17,000.

Runnerup sale honors went to Hip 57 “Fancy Dox Reveille” a 2004 AQHA Gray gelding x Dox Reveille offered by Amy Williams, Benton City, WA.

The finished head and heel horse also came started on barrels and sold to Ken Guenthner, Consort, Alberta for $8,900.

NFR Steer roper, J.R. Olson, Greeley, CO offered Hip 273”KQH Poco Brand” a 2004 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding x My Brand A Music and out of a Mr Roan Boy dam.

The solid head horse was gentle, correct, packed all the tools to make a big-timer, and brought $8,500 from Mike Franke, Hagerman, ID.

If you wanted to look good and ride one that wanted to do it right, Hip 49 “Rey Chex Olena” a 2005 AQHA Palomino gelding x Breezy Flip Fritz was a riding around, double broke, standup gelding consigned by NFR barrel racer, Shelley Murphy, Helena, MT.

The super-cool-ride brought $8,100 and sold to James Ray Bailey, St. Paul, Alberta.

In the loose division, a $2,800 horse topped the market, top 5 averaged $1,970, top 10 at $1,592, top 20 $1,237, top 50 at $799, and the top 100 - 25% of the offering - averaged a smooth $560.

Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” is set for October 23-24 with two, big days of horse sales.

An indoor, climate and ground controlled preview for the barrel horses, cutters, saddle and ride horses, calf horses, and team roping horses is set for 3 p.m. on Friday, October 22 at the HorsePalace Arena, exit 437 on I-90.

Complete catalog will be available on-line Thursday, October 14 at www.billingslivestock.com or reserve your's now by calling 406-245-4151.

A better selection of stepped up arena horses, prospects, and kid’s rides were the buzz of the weekend at Billings Livestock’s “August Special Catalog Sale” August 28-29.

Amped up, well-attended, and stuffed full of prizes, it was time to shine for the barrel horses as Friday’s “Pistols and Crystals” Showdown barrel race held in the BLS Arena saw 65 open runs including 22 on sale horses - all in one place, all under good conditions, and all in a competition setting.

The big sale weekend saw 905 head of horses, 466 registered buyers with 251 making a purchase and 88 buying two or more head.

At the top of the sale list - Hip 199 - “Lucky Little Bailey” a 2000 AQHA Palomino gelding by RC Command x Fritz Command and out of a Dash For Cash granddaughter was consigned by Tyler and Jamie Morgan, Prosser, WA.

Purchased by Dean Welch, Roy, MT, the handsome, gentle, and multi-talented gelding had been ranched on, used as a head horse, and was patterned on the barrels and brought $9,500.

Barrel horses - each one shown in the Friday jackpot - claimed high seller positions 3,4,5, and 6 - and pushed the top five average to $7,020.

A way nice prospect - ranch ridden, futurity eligible, and started on the barrels, Hip 33 “Caseys French Finale” a 2006 AQHA sorrel gelding by Red Hot Frenchman and out of Boon Dox Charm x Boon Dox John was offered by Toni Wagoner, Beulah, WY.

John Stewart, Malta, MT purchased the honest, attractive gelding for $5,000.

Stay broke, gentle, and done all the ranch chores, Hip 77 “Double Quick Cody” a 2000 AQHA Sorrel gelding owned and shown by Kent Pennington, Big Horn, MT was right off a day’s duty and knew how to work for a living.

Sired by Sand Dune Cody, he came broke to the spade bit, respectful, and sold to Travis Mills, Gillette, WY for $5,400.

Handy and go all-day, too, Hip 63 “Woody” a 98 Grade sorrel pony gelding was ridden and consigned by Mesa Svedberg, Hardin, MT and sold for $2,600.

Complete sale averages continue to reflect a stable, solid market - especially on the better type ride horses with a resume.

August’s sale averages include the top five at $7,020, top ten at $6,160, top 20 at $5,242, top 50 brought $3,754, and the top 100 averaged $2,741.

Loose horses maintained their July gain - selling 415 head in rapid fire fashion - the top five averaged $1,510, top ten brought $1,250, top 20 averaged $1,036, top 50 averaged $727, and the top 100 averaged $560.

Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 24 - 26.

The big, fall sale event will headline “Rope Horses” and host a special 76^th anniversary celebration for Billings Livestock Commission.

All classes of horses will sell including mares, stallions, finished horses, prospects, and young stock. Cattle will be available to show the cutting horses, calf horses, and rope horses.

Team roping jackpot on sale horses is set for Friday, September 24 at 3 p.m.

See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151.

Sale Report for July 24-25

Wide World of Horses

From the show pen to the rodeo arena, experience paid dividends as horses with validated earnings and those with ironclad genetics hustled the market at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Mid-Summer Special” catalog sale July 24-25.

A better market for a better horse continues as buyers seek out the finished product - the ready-to-ride kind with a solid education in their chosen field.

Numbers for the big summer sale weekend in Billings included at grand total of 864 head of horses, 424 registered buyers with 238 actually purchasing, and 110 individuals buying two or more.

The July sale event featured cutters and cowhorses, and the top twenty sellers list swelled with sons and daughters of Shiners Lena Doc, Smart Little Lena, Nitro Dual Doc, Smooth As A Cat, CD O’lena, Peptoboonsmal and packed an average sale price of $9,782.

Consigned by the AQHA’s All-Time Leading breeder of performance horses, Carol Rose Quarter Horses, Gainesville, TX and shown by the NRCHA’s number three ranked rider, Jay McLaughlin, Hip 157 “Shiners Hot Lips” an 08 AQHA Sorrel Filly by Shiners Lena Doc and out of Tarizana earned top sale honors with a final bid of $23,500.

Selling to Bud Faye, Gillette, WY the filly had it all - currently in training for NRCHA events and nominated to the AQHA Incentive Fund, she came eligible for the NRHA, NRBC, and NRCHA Stallion Stakes in addition to having a 2009 NRCHA Top 15 Leading Producing dam - “Tarizana”.

Black Rock Ranch, Harrison, ID offered a nice set of horses including Hip 121 Vaca Rey a 2001 AQHA Sorrel Stallion by Smart Little Lena and out of the famous mare Autumn Boon - she’s produced over $1 Million in earners including IM Countin Checks, Wild Thing DNA, and Boon A Little.

Call him stunning, the pretty stallion sold to the home of the oldest Quarter Horse Production Sale in the World - the Raymond Sutton Ranch, Gettysburg, SD, recipient of the AQHA Legacy Award - in 2010, this celebrated ranch registered their 2,280^th foal.

Hip 164 “Busy Cactus” a 2003 AQHA Bay Gelding raised, ridden, and offered by Tyler and Jamie Morgan, Prosser WA, came as a ready-to-haul head horse, seen ranch use, as well as ran barrels.

Sired by Tuf N Busy, the rock-solid-gelding brought $13,500.

Way nice and user friendly, Hips 420 & 420X Joe and Clark a team of black geldings, had been used in parades, weddings, pulled plows, discs, and feed wagons.

Offered by Clancy and Ida McNabb, Cody, WY the horses and harness brought $7,000 and sold to Sid Stromme, Manhattan, MT.

Sale averages truly reflect the quality of the entire two day sale event as the top five brought $14,900, top ten at $12,225, top 20 $9,782, top 50 averaged $6,714, and the top 100 head averaged $4,643.

Loose horses flat got with it and saw a bump in price as the top five averaged $1,630, top 10 brought $1,357, to 20 $1,125, top 50 $778, and the top 100 averaged $586.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Catalog Sale”, and “Montana Miniature and Pony Sale” August 28-29.

UBRC barrel race with $300 added - open to all barrel racers - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday afternoon August 27 in the BLS Arena.

Sale horses are encouraged to compete and enter with a $100 bonus awarded to the sale horse clocking the fastest time.

Sale Report for June 26-27

They shone as brightly as the summer sun and all those good geldings - trusty, true, and ready to ride - continued their reign at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” June 26-27. The blockbuster sale weekend saw a grand total of 1,037 head of horses with the top sale horse commanding $9,600, followed by $7,200, and $6,500.

Final sales figures show 381 buyers registered, 225 purchasing horses, 116 buying two or more.

Handsome and handy, call him the "total package" - Hip 251 took home the weekend's top sale honors with a $9,600 price tag. "Mr Bo Quixote" an 01 AQHA Sorrel Gelding by Cowtown Peppy and out of a Doc Quixote bred dam was offered by Dallas Aschoff, Maupin, OR and had been shown reining, hauled to High School Rodeos heading, heeling, and breakaway, and seen ranch use, too.

Red roan, roped on both in and out of the arena, packed flags, started on barrels, and picked up rodeos, Hip 23 “Tucker Star Chex” a 2003 AQHA gelding was a one-man-show.

Offered by Brian Tubbs, Filer, ID, the choice gelding was sired by HR Dry Star Chex and out of a Sugar Bars bred mare and sold for $5,750 to W. Teddy Crowley, Chinook, MT.

Used at the stockyards, ridden by the grandkids, and an all-around using gelding , Hip 423 “Easy Silver Bond” a 2004 AQHA Gray Gelding by Silver Tip 045 was offered by Dean and Betty Brainard, Shepherd, MT.

Selling Sunday afternoon, the gentle, sharp-dressed gray fellow brought $4,800 and sold to Walter Holder, Powell, WY.

Top five horses averaged $7,100, top ten brought $6,045, top 20 came in at $4,915, top 50 overall $3,678, top 100 averaged $2,805.

The loose trade got after it as the top five averaged $1,780, top ten brought $1,575, top 20 came in at $1,302, top 50 brought $934, with the top 100 averaging $699.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be July 24-25.

Already rockin’ with a solid line-up of first-class horses, the annual “Mid-Summer” Catalog Sale – featuring cutting and cowbred horses – is two full days of horse sales and previews.

All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation.

Designed to allow the sellers an opportunity to showcase their consignments and at the same time, giving the buyer an honest, professional opportunity to assess the horses, Friday’s special preview of cutting horses on cattle will begin at 5 p.m. in the BLS Arena.