Powered by quality and bonused by strong cowhorse pedigrees, mares maintained their momentum at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s "Fall Special" Catalog and regular monthly horse sale held October 27.

Although mares claimed six out of the top ten selling positions - and - ran off with the top seller crown for the sixth consecutive month - it was genuine stock horse geldings that rode tall in the saddle and came in "best of show".

Officially, 565 head of horses passed through the gates of Billings Livestock - consigned by horseman from 12 states and Canada - and headed to new homes in 18 different states and three Canadian provinces.

A packed pre-sale preview for the cutters, ropers, and ride horses allowed the sale horses to show their stuff.

They came from far and wide to gather them and genuine ranch and using geldings saw tremendous demand where the top five geldings alone averaged $4,620.

Big, blue and been there - Hip 153 "Roanys Blue Whiz" was consigned by one of Montana’s best cowboys - and - the chute boss at the National Finals Rodeo since 1959 - Sonny Linger, Miles City, MT. The rock-solid ranch gelding stood 16.3 hands, drug calves and covered lots of country and brought $4,500.

Hip 172 "Shorty’s Foxy Roxey" earned the title of top sale horse with a $10,000 bid from Rimrock Livestock, Shawmut, MT. Sired by Shorty Lena - the sire of over $4 million in money earners - she was out of a producing daughter of Peppy San Badger. The 99 AQHA Bay mare was started on cattle and consigned by Marty McCormick, Weatherford, TX.

A grand lady, Hip 63 "Nada Peppy" proudly wore the famous King Ranch brand as her daddy was Mr. San Peppy himself - and her mother a daughter of Grey Badger III. The 86 AQHA gray mare sold in foal to Playmates Dually and headed west with Great Oak Ranch for $7,250.

A quality offering from Kruger Quarter Horses, Brian and Marj Kruger, Maynard, MN - including Hip 108 "Stay Dry" an 89 AQHA daughter of Dry Doc - highlighted the days activities with 43 well-bred mares - most bred to their reference sire - Little Fair Black - a jet-black son of Little Peppy Fair.

Billings Livestock was proud to welcome Buzz Feeley and the Chico Horse Barn partial dispersal sale offering in addition to John Lee and Griffin Livestock Reduction Sales.

In the loose horse department, the top selling loose horses at Billings Livestock brought $1,150, with the top five loose horses averaging $1040.

Overall catalog sale averages show that quality counts - the top five horses - all mares - brought $7,030, the top ten horses came in at $5,955, the top 20 brought $4,785, top 50 came in at $3,528, while the top 100 horses sold - nearly 20% - brought $2,631.

Billings Livestock’s next sale is set for November 24 and will include the "Holiday Special Catalog Sale".