Billings, MT - Bigger, better, and rippin’ good - rock-solid geldings met with rock-solid demand - as shoppers from across the United States and Canada fed their appetite for cowhorses at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale June 26.

Blasting last year’s top 50 sale average by $492 per head, the quality ran deep and buyer demand strong as a record-breaking one-day offering of 801 head of horses saw 424 buyers from 22 states and two Canadian provinces moving horses to new destinations.

And - better yet - only 64 head of the day’s entire offering - that’s 8% - no saled or were passed out by the consignor.

Featuring “team penning” horses, the weekend’s events kicked off Friday afternoon with a $200 added money team penning on sale horses in the BLS Arena, allowing buyers and sellers alike to watch the sale horses in action.

Good geldings ran in big bunches, both registered and grade, as using geldings claimed 15 of the top 20 sale positions, with all but three packing the dun, roan, buckskin, black, or gray color.

The top two selling geldings sold grade, bringing $10,000 and $9,750 respectively.

He came gentle, pretty, and polished and Hip 123 “Bubble Gum” a 96 grade gray gelding offered by Bob Turnbull, Billings, MT was the real McCoy.

Shown in the pre-sale team penning competition, the dead-shot ranch gelding had been used as turn back horse at cuttings, roped and doctored outside, started roping both ends in the arena, as well as ridden in the mountains of Montana.

The all-in-one cowpony package brought $10,000 and sold to Peter Loeber, Sauk City, Wisconsin.

Sharing the top seller spot was Hip 48 “Dualicious” a 99 AQHA sorrel mare x Dual Pep and out of Lenas Susie Oak x Doc’s Oak.

The finished cutting mare was owned and shown by Diane Hooper, Kimberly, ID and headed north of the border for $10,000 with Max Hansen, Redwater, Alberta, Canada.

He came from north of the border, wore the true blue roan color, and Hip 152 “Rambo” a 98 Grade gelding offered by Lee Pedersen, Milestone, Saskatchewan, Canada brought $9,750.

Rope either end, the hauled and won on rope horse had also been used doctoring, sorting, and roping cattle. Lisa Barton, Great Falls, MT purchased the high-octane gelding.

The top ten geldings - all with an occupation - averaged $6,025.

Price variables included work experience, eye appeal, pedigree, and a “want to” attitude, with gentle being an important ingredient in the mix.

Value was again found in the younger, less experienced type horses. Prospects looking for work brought from $700 to $2,000.

Loose horse mania saw 437 head offered on the loose with a whopping $789 per head average on the top 100 - a $78/head increase over 2003.

Top five selling loose horses commanded $2,750, $2,200, $1,600, followed by $1,500 and $1,400.

Loose horse averages include the top five at $1,890, a $350 per head increase over 2003, top ten at $1,580, top 20 brought $1,309, and the top 50 averaged $973, a $67 per head increase over last year’s figures.

Overall sale averages, including catalog, loose, and open consignment horses came in at $8,700 for the top five; top ten at $7,110; Top twenty at $5,755; top 50 brought $4,167; and the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $3,059 - a $325 per head increase over 2003.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Mid-Summer Catalog Sale” featuring cutting horses - set for July 24 - 25.

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.