"August Catalog Sale"

featuring Speed Horses and our Montana M iniature and Pony Sale

Gelding Gusto

Good geldings proved good property during the three-day horse sale blitz August 23-24-25 at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s annual August catalog sale extravaganza.

"Speed Horses" were the flavor-of-the-day on Friday, where a $500 added money barrel race highlighted barrel horses consigned to that evening’s "Montana Select Speed Horse Sale".

Saturday’s "August Catalog Sale" offered finished horses, prospects, mares, stallions, and young stock, while Sunday’s events included the third annual "Montana Miniature and Pony Sale".

A total of 774 horses were bought and sold over the three days, with genuine using geldings maintaining their stronghold on the BLS horse market while the plainer, younger type horses continued to meet with lessened demand.

Hammering the point home - true stock-horse geldings monopolized the BLS Top Twenty list, where 18 of the top 20 horses sold were geldings - and - every one of the top geldings was four years old or older.

Traditional ranch geldings - the dependable, honest, and educated kind - propelled the market, with the older, seasoned geldings selling well throughout the three-days.

Horses sold to 23 states and Canada.

A red-hot and smokin’ loose horse trade saw the top two selling loose horses bring $1,700 each - followed by $1,475, $1450, and $1,425. The top ten on the loose brought over $1,000.

Loose horse averages pushed past last month’s figures with the top 20 coming in at $1,108, the top 50 averaging $817, and the top 100 bringing $617.

She’s moved back to the Lone Star State and Hip 158 "Chuca De Peppy" was a diva-deluxe that packed the brands that proved it.

The 1980 AQHA Sorrel Mare sired by Mr. San Peppy was King Ranch branded on every corner and was the weekend’s high selling horse.

Consigned by Tex Prewitt, Twisp, WA, the special mare was purchased by Kaufman, Texas breeder Tom Miller for $4,200.

Colorado trainers Mark and Lisa Bernhardt offered Hip 241 "EP Savannah Sixmoons" a 94 AQHA Sorrel gelding by Martha’s Six Moons.

Well started on barrels, the big gelding brought $3,200 and sold to Jeanette Morris, Cozad, NE.

Mini’s and ponies highlighted Sunday’s events with the little rascals setting a new sale record for the "Montana Mini and Pony Sale" - the top selling mini - Hip 412 "Tibbs Kid Rock" a 00 AMHR/AMHA Buckskin Stallion consigned by Tim and Linda Tibbs, Pierre, SD brought a final bid of $1,600.

The 29 inch show-stopper sold to Riley Cook, Frannie, Wy.

Mini’s marched to their own drummer and quality was the name of the game - with 90 head offered the top five averaged $1,212, top ten $971, and the top 20 averaging $715.

A solid market from start to finish is reflected in the overall sale averages for the weekend - the top five averaged $4,080; top ten brought $3,750; top 20 averaged $3,360; the top 50 came in at $2,792, while the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $2,269.

Billings Livestock’s annual "Cow Country Classic" catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 28 - 29.

Featuring "Rope Horses" and a special session of John Scott Ranch bred and branded horses.

All classes of horses will sell including mares, stallions, finished horses, prospects, and young stock. Cattle will be available to show the cutting horses, calf horses, and rope horses. Catalog deadline is September 5, with a supplement printed for later entries.

See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151