They were the stars of the show - and real ranch horses, the savvy, sharp and fancy kind, showcased their skills in the “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition that highlighted the “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale May 28-29 at Billings Livestock Commission.

It was horses and more horses, all classes and kinds, as Billings Livestock welcomed a record-setting total of 1,105 head of horses over the Memorial Day weekend.

From the Land of Lincoln to the Golden State, 477 buyers registered with horses scattering to 16 states and two Canadian provinces.

A market fueled by real cowhorses saw a 90% completed sale percentage - only 112 head of horses were “no-saled” or passed out by the seller.

A super set of 40 using horses competed in the judged ranch horse competition on Friday evening where Hip 23 “Blue Bar Card” a 2000 AQHA Bay gelding shown by Tamara Mann, Sheridan, WY and offered by John Rueb, Sheridan, WY put together an outstanding performance, including roping, reining, and cow work, to take home the title of Champion Ranch Horse.

The superior ranch gelding had drug calves to the fire, been ridden in the mountains, and was started in the arena. How Do You Do? LLC, Cora, WY purchased the bona fide working gelding for $6,250.

Dapple gray and handsome, he stood 15.2 hands and weighed 1,300 lbs, and Hip 172 “Rudy” - a 97 grade gelding - earned second in the “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition. Owned and shown by Alan Seberger, Lexington, NE, the strong gelding with eye appeal brought $5,500.

“Best of the Remuda” sale session averaged $4,021.

Sired by the NCHA Triple Crown Winner and sire of over $30 million in offspring earnings,- Smart Little Lena - and out of a money earning and producing daughter of Doc’s Oak, Hip 142 “Little To Fancy” a 2004 AQHA bay stallion was the weekend’s top sale horse.

Dan Hirsch, Yorkville, IL had an eye for quality, purchasing the purple-pedigreed yearling for $20,000. The stud colt was raised and offered by Jake Ream, Mona, UT.

School’s out for summer! And as a result - ponies - kid tested and proven - met with extreme demand as the top selling pony commanded $7,400, and the top five ponies averaged $4,040.

Hip 132 “Thunder” an eleven-year-old paint pony gelding consigned by Billie Schaff, Worden, MT had already raised two kids and was a seasoned veteran to the rodeo arena and show ring.

Run barrels, poles, goat tie, or learn to ride - and look good while you’re at it - “Thunder” was just your guy. When the bidding stopped at $7,400, Mark Moreland, Decker, MT had purchased the pony extraordinaire.

Sunday’s catalog sale included the “Appaloosa Session” where keen demand dominated a quality offering of Appaloosa horses, both ApHC registered and grade.

Proof positive of the Appaloosa’s appeal, they claimed three out of the top six selling positions for the entire sale.

Limited to 75 head, the top selling Appaloosa brought $14,000.

Part of the Jack Bowser, Worden, MT reduction offering, his home-raised Hip 425 “Maid Elegant” a 2001 ApHC Chestnut mare x Maids Dream earned top Appaloosa sale honors.

A mere 7.5 points away from her Versatility Championship, the mare held points in junior trail, junior western pleasure, 3-year-old snaffle bit, halter, hunter in hand, and an ROM snaffle bit western pleasure.

The special mare was purchased by Kimberley Kvamme, Idaho Falls, ID.

Sired by the syndicated ApHC sire “The Secret” Hip 450 “Secret Admirer” a 2004 ApHC Chestnut Stallion was all he was bred to be.

Pretty met charisma, and the true stallion prospect with the snowcap blanket was raised and offered by Jan Taylor, Huntley, MT. William Cook, New Salem, ND bought the stallion for $9,500.

The high selling appaloosa gelding, Hip 445 “Happie”was a six-year-old grade red dun consigned by Weller Ranch, Kadoka, SD.

Ranch ridden and used, the gentle fellow had been over the river and through the woods by novice and experienced riders alike and went home with Zac Harp, Kalispell, MT for $4,600.

With only 12 pass outs in the Appaloosa Session, the top five selling appaloosas averaged $9,420, the entire appaloosa session -f rom top to bottom - averaged $1,940.

The loose horse market ran red hot where a full sale arena saw the top loose horse command $1,750.

A weekend total of 456 head were offered loose with the top five averaging $1,660, top ten at $1,480, top 20 bringing $1,247, top 50 at $972, and the top 100 averaging $793.

Tallying up the entire two-day sale event, the top five selling horses averaged $13,000, top ten brought $10,415, top 20 at $8,020, top 50 horses sold averaged $5,539, while the top 100 brought $4,112.

A three-day sale is set for June 24 -25-26 and will include the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Driftwood Dispersal on Friday, June 24 at 6 p.m.

The “Summer Special Catalog Sale” will headline Saturday and Sunday‘s events, June 25 - 26 and will feature “Team Penning” horses. All classes and types of horses will sell including rope horses, cutters, reiners, prospects, mares, stallions, and finished arena and using horses.

An open, draw-pot team penning is set for Friday, June 24 at 2 p.m. with one horse in each team being a sale horse.

Cattle will be available to show the cutting horses and rope horses beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ride horse previews will follow.

To consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it a all at www.billingslivestock.com