SO SSSSSSSSSMOKIN’ HOT

And the hot got hotter!! Billings Livestock’s August sale event blazed new August Sale records with 673 head of horses, 38 no sales, a loose horse high of $9,900, and a catalog Number One at $35,000.

Two full performance previews as well as a well attended saddle and ride demonstration let the sale horses shine as barrel horses, rope horses, and so many draft crosses and grade horses had their day in Billings, Montana.

Friday night’s “BigTime Barrel Race” also complimented the weekend’s agenda with over 60 participants.

The leader of the pack  – Hip 115 “Smart King Freckles” a 2006 AQHA Bay Gelding sired by My King Hickory came offered by long-time customers, Wowk Ranch, Alberta, Canada. 

The solid, seasoned, true all-around athlete ran poles, barrels, breakaway, head or heel and had qualified twice for the Canadian College Finals Rodeo. 

The bay unicorn came in shape and ready to roll.  He brought $35,000.

The top five catalog horses averaged $24,900 and included the variety Billings is known for –  the solid rodeo gelding, a fancy, registered gypsy vanner, an extra nice grade grulla gelding, a black stallion by Profit Increase, and an own daughter of Walk Thru Fire.

A special session of running bred broodmares – Wyoming accredited –  offered by the Mike Lipp Estate, Greybull, WY were also offered in August with Hip 173 “Walk Thru Fire Favor” a 2013 AQHA Brown Mare x Walk Thru Fire x First Down Dash topping the offering with a $18,500 bid.

Kind, gentle, and handsome, the second high seller was Hip 140 “SD Titan Of Golden Oak” a 2017 GVHS (Gypsy Vanner Horse Society) Black Blagdon Gelding presented by Justyn Young, Billings, MT.

Imported from England in utero, the one-of-a-kind guy brought $30,000.

Quality grade horses made their mark in August as well, and included Hip 84 “Kola” a 2017 Brown Gelding offered by RCR Horses, Inc, Powell, WY with a $21,000 price tag , Hip 8 “Bald Butte” a 2013 Black bald faced gelding at $15,000 from Madison Enos, Lander, WY, and Hip 226 “Whiskey” a 2017 Rose Gray Gelding offered by Tayla Mortensen, St. Anthony ID bringing $13,500.

Overall catalog sale averages reflect a strong horse market – top five at $24,900: top 10 brought $20,520; top 20 at $16,640; Top 50 at $12,183; and the top 100 averaged $9,185.

On to the fireworks in the loose market where Billings Livestock continues it’s red hot run with 414 head offered  in the loose division seeing  a $9,900 high, followed by $9,750, $7,500, $7,000, and $6,800 for a top five average of $8,190.

One out of four horses offered loose brought $2,000 or better, with 38 bringing $4,000 or better.

Loose averages include the top ten at $7,065; top 20 at $6,157; top 50 at $4,929; and the top 100 a $3,739.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for September 23-24-25 and includes an expanded three-day sale format and will include an indoor performance preview as well as a jackpot team roping exclusively for sale horses.

Catalog horses will sell all three days with loose horses selling Sunday, September 25 at 9 a.m.

To consign, see what’s coming, or to sign up for online bidding, visit www.billingslivestock.com

  • Posted on: January 5, 2023