Billings Livestock Commission Company’s second annual "Mid-Summer Catalog Sale" featuring cutting horses showcased some of the region’s top programs in addition to some of the industry’s top pedigrees at the July 28 - 29 sale event.

With 687 horses offered over the two-days, the weekend’s activities began Friday evening with 42 head of cutters showing on cattle. Rope horses showed in pre-sale previews both days.

Mares continued their reign of the high seller list claiming five out of the six top sale positions - and - proving their point - 14 out of the top 20. However, genuine using geldings continued in strong demand with finished horses - complete with an occupation - gathering the most interest as horses scattered to 19 states and Canada.

Billings Livestock was proud to offer a daughter of the famous sire, Freckles Playboy - whose get earnings are nearing the $20 million dollar mark.

Consigned by Bishben Cutting Horses, Andover, KS, "Otoettas Freckles" a 93 AQHA Sorrel mare was out of Lenas Otoetta ($15,013) by Doc O’Lena and was bred to Bishben’s stallion, "Merada’s Money Talks".

A real show-stopper, the very pretty mare sold to Grantsville, UT breeder, Ruth Anderson, for $15,000.

He’s sired by the number one siring son of Doc Bar - Doc’s Hickory - and "HR Hickory Badger" a 97 AQHA Sorrel stallion took second-place honors bringing a final bid of $14,000 selling to Joe Loe, Hermosa, SD.

Consigned by Lupe Munoz, Murray, UT and shown by Bob Pilster, Blackfoot, ID, the quality stallion was out of a daughter of Peppy San Badger and was a direct product of Mel and Virginia Hutchings’ breeding program.

Another product of the Hutchings Program was hip 178 "Smokin Hickory Girl" a 93 AQHA Bay Mare sired by the Hutchings’ stallion "Mr Smoky Lena’ and out of a daughter of Doc’s Hickory.

Consigned by Dori Steckley, Cody, Wy the cutting session entry brought $8,250 and sold to Luke Overstreet, Billings, MT.

A very nice set of horses was offered and shown in the cutting horse preview by Idaho breeders Shane and Diane Prescott, Twin Falls, ID including get by their son of Doc O’Lena, "Shawn O’Lena".

The top sale gelding "Taylormade Smoke" was a tailor-made bridle horse consigned by Nancy Clark, John Day, OR.

Shown on cattle in the cutting previews, the ten-year-old AQHA Bay gelding had NRCHA and NRHA money won.

Billings, MT rancher Terry Langstraat, purchased the extra-nice gelding for $7,600.

Good using geldings are a staple at Billings Livestock Commission Company - from ranch horses, rope horses, or recreation horses - true prospects to finished arena horses are offered.

Mules grabbed interest with ten cataloged mules offered. A been-there-done that riding mule consigned by Gary and Cindy Thorson, Rathdrum, ID brought $3,200 from 9 Bar 6 Ranch, Malta, MT.

A solid sale, heavy on quality consignments, is reflected in the sale averages where the top five horses - four mares and one stallion - averaged $11,500; the top ten brought $9,465, the top 20 came in at $7,465, the top 50 averaged $4,776, and the top 100 horses averaged $3,325.

Billings Livestock’s next horse sale event is set for August 24-25-26, with three days of sales scheduled. Catalog deadline is August 5 with a supplement printed for later entries.

See it all at www.billingslivestock.com

For more information, to consign or to request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers, at 406-245-4151.