GOOD, BETTER, BESSSSST
Billings Livestock’s fall presentation of the annual “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” and “Fall Rope Horse Special” set new sale records in Billings, Montana September 23-24-25.
A whopping 915 head of horses were offered over the three days, with a $43,000 catalog high, 73 horses brought $10,000 plus and – the loose market continues it’s fireworks show with a high of $9,000 and 58 head – as is where is – at $3,000 or better.
Two full scale performance previews including a jackpot team roping for sale horses only, a big blue Montana sky, and three days of actual sales offered all colors, kinds, and classes, all disciplines, ages, and talents, all price points, quality and caliber.
Loaded with quality, the top five sellers included three upstanding rope horse geldings and two fancy, fashionably bred mares that averaged $36,000.
Leader of the pack, Hip 352 “One Ray Fajita” a 2015 AQHA Bay Gelding x Peppys Lil Fajita offered by Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT came cool, calm, and handy.
Trails, ranch, or arena, the solid gelding was a true switch ender and was hauled to ropings right up to sale day.
Richard Jensen, Rapid City, SD purchased the all-around gelding for $43,000.
Call him steady eddie and easy trips to the pay window, Hip 114 “Salty Catman” a 2011 AQHA Gray Gelding x Cat Man Do earned runnerup sale honors as well as winning second and third on heel side in the jackpot besting 153 teams.
Offered by Ken Catchot, Stevensville, MT and roped on by Chad Turner, he brought $35,500 and sold to Donnie Benson, Dillon, MT.
Hip 231 “One Gun Splash” a handsome 2015 AQHA Palomino Gelding consigned by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA stood sturdy, strong, and came a finished head horse.
Hauled to ropings, the hard-to-find kind brought $32,500 and sold to Steve Munz, Oxford, FL.
Oh, those mares!! Hip 395 “Metallic Cee Dee” a 2019 AQHA Sorrel Mare sired by NCHA Horse of the Year – Metallic Rebel – and out of the good mare Rubys Royal CD a $248,000 money earner, the mare sold bred to One Time Pepto.
Offered by Joyce Roberts, the mare with a lot to talk about brought $35,000.
Sired by the hottest guy going – Metallic Cat – Hip 330 “Devilwithabluedress’ a 2017 AQHA Sorrel Mare consigned by Ty Smith, Whiteboro, TX sold with a breeding to Woody Be Tuff.
The exciting package brought $34,000.
Top selling draft bred brought $23,500, top selling pony at $18,500.
Big volume means big selection and Billings offers something for every budget, as 64 head of catalog horses brought between $3,500 and $5,000.
Overall catalog sale averages include top five at 436,000; to 10 at $32,850; Top 20 brought $26,185; to 50 at $8,924;, top 100 averaged $14,370.
A mighty loose horse trade rolls on at Billings as 479 head were offered in the loose division with two horses bringing $9,000 each for the high, and a top five average of $8,230;
Top 20 on loose market at $6,132, top 50 at $4,713; top 100 averaged $3,626.
There were 79 head – as is, where is, how is – that sold for $2,500 or better.
Up next the “Fall Special Catalog Sale” featuring performance horses, as well as a loose session October 29.
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.
For more info, contact Jann Parker 406.855.1947 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com