OCTOBER 2008 - Hello, I just wanted to let you know that we bought 2 horses from your October Sale and could not be happier. I was a little nervous buying an auction horse but this experience has been a good one. We bought hip #260 and #450. My 12 year old son just loves his new paint mare. She is everything the seller said and more. Thanks a lot for the honesty in the horse business that can be hard to come by.    Allen , Amy, and Wyatt Vaalemoen

From Torrey Darkenwald, Colstrip , MT    I recently purchased a horse from your sale and was very pleased with the experience.  This was my first time buying a horse from an auction and I had heard many bad stories of horses that go through the sale ring.  I saw a horse on-line and called the seller. I was unable to make it to town the day of the sale, so I arranged to phone bid.  Your staff did a great job getting me all the forms faxed and filled out...I had a moment of fear when I was the highest bidder, what had I done? I spent the next day in panic that I may have just purchased a sour horse.To my delight, he was everything that your staff said he was when I arrived!  We love our new horse, he was the best purchase I had ever made and I am proud to tell people that I bought him at Billings Livestock Horse Sales.  Thank you for bringing such good, sound, horses to your arena and running a business that reflects the clientele you serve.

From Norman Schuchard, Harlowton , MT    Thank you for selling our horses.  It is nice to have a place to market a good horse.  I was very impressed with the way you handle so many horses so easily. I was also impressed with all the stalls and pens - and - every pen had water and hay! I  know this takes a lot of work and alot planning.   Keep up the good work!

From Bonnie Steg, Helena , MT   This is our first venure into miniature horses.  We have horses and miniature donkeys.  The two weanlings we purchased made the trip home and are doing well.  That sale was one of the most fun we've attended.  Watching all the kids that were involved and how excited they were was a real treat!  Thanks!

Hip 221 X purchased July 2008 from Amercian West Reiners, AZ Just wanted you to know how well I have done with the buckskin Hollywood Dun It mare that I purchased two weeks ago at your July sale.  I saw her advertised, did my homework, watched the previews, and purchased the mare.  I rode her three times, showed her on my fourth ride - we split first in the non-pro at the Saskatchewan Reining Horse Association approved show this past weekend!  She is a very nice, kind, mare and so good to be around! I showed her within five days of getting her home, believe it or not. Thank you for the nice horses - and - as a Canadian customer, I would like to thank your staff for their extra mile service in getting our Federal paper work in order.  I will be back!  Donna Reid, Webb, Saskatchewan, Canada

Hip 462 "Feather" purchased August 2007 from Tesha Fredricks, New Town, ND Hello! Last August 2007 I purchased a flashy little quarter pony for my son.  I am thrilled to say that they are doing amazing together!   They are an amazing team.  Lane competed this year in the 4-H horse show and won enough rosettes and trophies to last a lifetime! She was on fire during the speed events and won grand champion poy barrels and poles!!  It was a pleasure coming to your sale and having so many options to choose from. I would never buy another horse anywhere else!!  thanks you.  Chaynee Washut, Evansville, WY

From Al and Judy Schultz, Cody, WY - We want to thank you for the effort you put forth in selling our roping cattle!  We were very impressed! You run a first class operion.  Look forward to seeing you both this summer.  Thanks again, Al and Judy Schultz

Hip 6 "Big T" purchased December 2005 from Sombrero Ranches,Boulder, CO  Never thought I would be in the market for a 20 year-old horse! But - when you can turn a four-year-old girl loose on a horse she can control, it's worth something! The Sombrero palomino gelding they call "Big T" is going to make our twins and hired man's three little girls very happy.  Steve Held, Broadus, MT

Hip 228 05 AQHA Red Dun stallion purchased November 2005 from Haycreek Quarter Horses, Aladdin, WY  I would like to request your next catalog. I would also like to say "thanks" to the Billings sale for having a great sale and very nice employees. I bought Hip 228 - a dun colt at your November sale. My daughter named him "Montana" - She is the happiest girl in the world! He is like a big, gentle, puppy dog. They follow each other all over the ranch. Yesterday she even brought him into the house, my husband was not very happy...but to me it was very cute! My daughter has never been this happy - this colt changed her life. Thanks again and thank you to Hay Creek Quarter Horses.  Ashley Garcia, Livermore, CA

Hip 185 "Hollys Goliath" purchased November 2005 from Asa Stothart, Cody, WY  Dear Billings Livestock: Thank you so much for the phone bid help. You made my first experience an absolute pleasure. Actually, you probably made it too easy...I think I am addicted! Thank you again, and I anxiously await next month's sale catalog.  Kelly McFee, Lenox, Iowa

Hip 213 "Sugs Sweet Dreams" purchased November 2005 from Carrie Bruch, Livingston, MT  I got the mare home yesterday, she looks great! Thank you for your help in purchasing and arranging transportation for my new horse! Also - thanks to the staff at BLS, excellent, efficient, helpful! This was a wonderful experience for me. Your fine reputation is certainly well-deserved.  Merry Christmas, M.Kahl, Solen, ND

Hip 236 "Herman" purchased October 2005 from Bliss Horses, Otter, MTPlease put me back on the list to recieve a hard copy of your sales catalog...also please send the on-line notices. My sister purchased a horse in the October sale and he is the "perfect horse". He couldn't be any better! He lets an "old lady" get on him and he puts up with me! He takes me where I want to go, and comes home! It's hard to believe he is so gentle - we really got a good one. Thanks!   Willa Murphy, Fort Peck, MT

November 2007: Hello, BLS - I just wanted to tell you thank you very much for everything. It was my first trip to your sale and I was very impressed with it's professionalism and organization.  Thanks again, Kaycee Willbanks, Pueblo, CO

November 2007: Please know how much I appreciate you all, you made my first purchase a wonderful experience.  Jeamie Awalt, New Mexico

October 2007: Thank you, Thank you! We were really pleased with all you did for us on sale day. The catalog was terrific and the guys and gals who helped us get unloaded, inspected, and numbers painted were organized and knew what they were doing. Please let them know what a good job they do. You even had nice weather for us! And we sure can't complain about the prices. Thanks again, Bob and Sharon McIlhattan, Bozeman, MT

October 2007: To the entire BLS Crew:  Thank you for all of your efforts in producing such a great horse sale. We really appreciate the fairness and professionalism in which you run your sale. Have a great winter and see you in the spring! From all of us at the BAR X Rodeo and Livestock Co. John Ely, LaDawn Dodd, and Zane Ford, Asotin, WA.

October 2007: We bought five horses and had a great time here. We will let you know how they all turn out. Montana is so beautiful. Thank you for a great sale!! 7 Spurs Cattle Co., Ltd. British Columbia, Canada

September 2007: Hello, BLS - I would just like to thank you for all of your hard work at the recent sale. Having that goat at the sale and allowing me to show my horse better made all the difference. You guys do a great job. Thanks again. Lexy Burhduff, Casper, WY

Strek N Lil, Hip 288 - purchased July 2005 via PHONE BID from Julie Black, Idaho,  Hi - I would like to thank you for your help in purchasing the right horse for my daughter. We purchased mare Hip 288 at the July sale. It was nerve racking buying a horse SIGHT UNSEEN but it was well worth it. She is wonderful - loves people and is so mellow that she is getting along with my other horses. My daughter is so happy. The haulers were wonderful and kept me informed along the way. Thanks again. Susan Auster, New Jersey

Pats Lil Gunner, Hip 121 - purchased July 2005 from Don and Kathleen Strain, South Dakota   Dear Jann and Bill:  I just wanted to write you and say a big "thank you". We have been looking for the horse of our dreams for four years since I took a fall off a horse and broke my back. We have every summer been out to Billings Livestock Sale and been so impressed - we thought, why not? So, we called and in speaking to Jann, I felt we were on the right track. At the sale we listened and Jann listened. We purchased - of all the luck - a Strain Ranch mare. She proved to be gentle and very well broke. Even though we are back to our gruelling schedules, we are having fun living, learning, riding, and loving our new "girl", Nita. We are returning once more in November on our honeymoon and we will miss Nita horribly while we are away. Thank you for giving me back my confidence. Brenda Rick, Pennsylvania

Offered by Kent Oland, Sheldon, ND and purchased by Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, TX

Hi there! We are writing to let you know of a couple "success stories". We purchased this black gelding at your February 2007 sale. We needed a solid gelding for all of the ranch work we do here in Big Sandy, MT and have been very pleased with "Blackie". I use him on the ranch and our 7 year old daughter, Grace has used him barrel racing...she won quite a few checks off of him! We appreciate your sales and how well run they are. Thank you from very satisfied customers!

Hi there! We are writing to let you know of a couple "success stories". The gray gelding was purchased at your October 2007 sale. He was represented as a horse anyone could ride. Here's a photo of Grace riding him a couple days after we got home with him. She really enjoys "Judge" and how easy he is to handle in the saddle and on the ground. We appreciate your sales and how well run they are. Thank you from very satisfied customers!

Consigned by Virginia Lee and purchased by Mark Bugni, Dickinson, ND

Accomplishments Include: Arena Series Fast time and jackpot winner, Spring Series, DSU, Dickinson, ND - Reserve Champion Prairie Skies Spring Series, Mandan, ND - Fast Time and jackpot winner, Valley City 3 day race, Valley City, ND - Derby Placer, Valley Girls Barrel Futurity, Walla Walla, WA - Short go Winner, Weekend Fast Time, South Country Futurity, Cardston, AB Canada -Top Open 1-D placer Southern Spurs Futurity, Brooks, AB Canada. 100+ entries - Top AW4D 1-D placer, Farmington, UT. 150+ entries - Lincoln Open Rodeo, 4th place. Lincoln, MT - 12th of 750 entries, John Deer Super Show, Las Vegas, NV - Saddle and Buckle Winner, 600 entries, Can Chasers Challenge, Pasco, WA - Top 5 of 245 entries, X-Treme Barrel Race, Salina, UT - Derby placer, Dakota Badlands Futurity, Bismarck, ND - Reserve Champion, Jackie Olson

Just to let you know that I rode Trea (short for Treasure) again tonight. On Sunday after Aaron and I rode I was calling him a treasure. Trea it is. I was worried about being a bit premature naming him that. I was not. We have not been able to ride since last Sunday due to weather and he was just as nice tonight. I ponied a reluctant horse 2 miles over to my mom's and Trea just pulled away. Through the slop of the stubble field to boot! We trotted home beside the county road with traffic. We rode through a couple of neighbor's yards with all of the scary things those contain. When we got home, we wrangled the rest of the snorty horses. No problems. Just wanted to let you guys know! Thank you and hope to see you soon, Wynne

July 2006 From: Cheri Robbins, Walsh, CO

A great success story from Cheri Robbins, Walsh, CO who purchased via phone bid, Hip 313 "Foxy" a 91 Grade Bay Gelding from our May 2006 sale. The good guy was consigned by Terry Hammel, Hot Springs, SD.

Cheri writes: To All At Billings Livestock Auction: Hi, you mentioned you like the success stories for the auction. I have one!  Mother's Day 2006 my husband bought the neighbor's Doctor's Buggy. They had owned it five years but could not find a suitable horse. That was May 14th. On the weekend of May 28th, your acution had a buggy horse for sale. We NEVER buy a horse sight-unseen, but that one really sounded like what we wanted - if he was all they said him to be.  We had the auction call us when he entered the sale ring. By the way, they knew they sold 30 horses per hour and they were right on time! We were waiting. We asked what he looked like at age 15, and they said "fine". We won the bid. They fed him as they feed all the horses until they are gone. With the auction's help, a transport service called us. Foxy arrived on Tuesday after the sale.  He was tired, of course. We are 800 miles from Montana. He rested two days. But within one week we were hooked to the buggy and headed down the road. He was all the write-up said right down to the words, "He is a pleasure to be around."   Thanks to the auction for the wonderful way they called us, fed him, and got him to us. We sure will be looking at the next sales, as well.  How could I know the summer would hold this pleasure!

Hi Jann - Here is a picture of the gang in Lassen National Forrest in Northern California. The horses did very well and we had a lot of fun. We probably put about 50 miles on them that week. From left to right: Buddy Major;Leo Sierras Notion - purchased at Billings Livestock , February 06:CR Jackie Bee Dry - purchased at Billings Livestock, April 06; Badgers Little Spark - purchased at Billings Livestock, April 06;Lo Diamond Kid - purchased at Billings Livestock, February 06; Lone Pine Royal Ace - purchased at Billings Livestock , April/06; Perpetual Casey; and Es Impress The Bar - purchased at The Dalles, April 05.

Hello all, I just thought I would let you all know that Gunner, our cutting mare we have on the road in Wyoming has now completed her first year of cutting with the big dogs, meaning she is not competing in futurities against others her own age. She is competing against some very seasoned horses. She went into the final show in first place and won first place in the Wyoming Cutting Assoc. She brought home a trophy saddle for winning first. We are so proud of her and our trainer, James Johnson, we had to let you all know about our successful year. Just call us proud horse people, we love it you know.

Happy trails, Dan and Louise Mauch

The Billings, MT cowgirl and her 95 AQHA Gray gelding have earned the 2001 Year-End High Point O-Mok-See, in addition to winning the saddle (she's using it in this photo!) at the National O-Mok-See! This year, Anna and Smokey are top contenders for the All-Around title at the Young Rider Series where Anna uses Smokey in the barrels, poles, and goats. Purchased at Billings Livestock in October 2000, the nice gray gelding was consigned by Gary and Betty Knight. Photo courtesy of Vickie MacCarty.

Hi! My name is Colter and I am 3 years old. I just want to thank BLS and the Sombrero Ranch for my special gelding Vic. He is the perfect first horse for me and I trust him completely. The Sombrero Ranch staff were wonderful in helping me to pick just the right horse and I would like to thank Bill Weller for helping me to buy him. I ride Vic to help my mom & dad during calving and he takes good care of me. Thanks again, BLS.
Colter Martin
Beulah, ND

Vic was purchased at the December 2007 sale.
Trent & Dawn Martin

Consigned by Shawn Claymore, Bismarck, ND and purchased by Brian Becker, Hastings, NE

Jan, I want to thank you for calling my dad on Molly, a daughter of Frenchman's Guy, which was a five year reining mare and had started on barrels. Since then she has been to over 80 day rodoes and has helped me win 12 buckles and three all around saddles in the Little Britches Little Wrangler Division. Thank-you for such a nice barrel mare. And by the way I didn't mention, my dad bought this mare site unseen over the phone per Jan's advice.

Thanks again!  Breann Becker, Hastings, NE

Success story from Weller Ranch - We purchased this team of black Clydesdale geldings in May 2004 at BLS. "Jim and Jake" were consigned by Kelly Mothershead, Sweetgrass, MT and had been used on the ranch to feed cows and used in parades. They are shown here being used in the Kadoka, South Dakota Centennial Parade, accompanied by Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Sorrel McKay. Sorrel is mounted on a nine-year-old red roan gelding, also purchased at Billings Livestock. We've enjoyed this well broke team and the nice geldings! Thanks, Bill and Carrie Weller, Weller Ranch. MANY THANKS, WELLERS!

December 2006:From Ken Linck, Hermiston, OR

Ken purchased "Sonitas Debbie" a 1981 AQHA Sorrel mare by Sonitas Last and out of a daughter of Rondo Leo at our March 2005 sale.  This special mare had earned over $14,000 herself and produced another $42,000 to date and counting, including the editors favorite horse,   Catsonita.  Ken writes:  "Debbie is doing great as are her two brats - one by Smart Little Rondee the other by Smart Lil Highbrow.  Debbie does have a new position at our place, however, she has become the favorite mount of my three-year-old grandson and my two-year-old granddaughter.  Ol' Deb is perfect for them and really seems to enjoy it."

Offered by Bryna Long, Buffalo, WY and purchased by 9-year-old Logan Schaff, Worden, MT.

"Logan sold his pony "Thunder" in the May 2005 BLS Horse Sale and at the same sale bought "Becca".  Logan, who is seven years old, and Becca hit it off right away and started competing within two weeks of the sale.   By the end of their first summer together, the duo was the year end buckle winner int he 7 and under barrels for the   Young Riders Series (YRS).  Becca also helped Logan to win the 7 and under All-Around Cowboy title.  Besides barrels, Logan and Becca compete in pole bending and have even made appearances in parades.  The duo has made quite a name for themselves in the arena and we all look forward to seeing what they will accomplish next!   A big thanks to BLS for helping us find a great home for our pony and for helping us to find Becca."

"Docs Little Lita" a 1990 AQHA bay mare was Hip 510 in the May 2005 sale, consigned by Bryna Long, Buffalo, WY. Logan's parents, Chris and Billie Schaff purchased "Becca". Logan, all of us here at Billings Livestock wish you continued success! If you have a success story about a horse you purchased here at Billings Livestock Commission, we'd love to hear from you! Send us your story and a photo to BLS Horse Sales, Box 31533, Billings, MT 59107 or email us at info@billingslivestock.com

He's a coming six year old AQHA Gelding purchased at Billings Livestock in July of 1999 as a two-year-old. The nice gelding was raised and consigned by Janice Hunter, Castor, Alberta. He's by Peppys Big Cougar and out of a Leo Bar bred dam. Charlie is pictured here at the MTRA Finals in September. With limited hauling, this duo has earned over $4,000! Wendy Small, Pompeys Pillar, MT gets the credit for breaking him to ride!