Entire One-half of sale averages $1,804 -

Billings, MT - A packed sale arena powered the push on the Billings Livestock Commission Company loose horse prospect trade - maintaining the national position of top-of-the-market prices for all classes of loose horses - at BLS’s "New Year’s Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale held December 29.

The one-day sale event offered buyers from Nevada to Pennsylvania the opportunity to bid on 241 head of horses where one-half of the entire sale - 120 head - including loose to the purple pedigreed - averaged $1,804.

And, best of all, the Champs came to call! Billings Livestock was proud to welcome World Champions Dan Mortensen and Deb Greenough, along with NFR qualifiers and famed rodeo competitors Clint Branger, Scott Breding, Chuck Simonson, and Walt Linderman.

 Horse Sale Manager, Bill Parker, commented "When I was a kid and attended the horse sales at Billings Livestock, there were always cowboys. Cowboys were as much a part of the horse sale as the horses themselves. It was a big deal to me to have the chance to see some of the rodeo cowboys that I would read about. And, with that said, I am proud today to introduce to you some of the rodeo cowboys who have put Montana on the map - Dan Mortenson - he truly is a hometown boy - you can throw a rock from Billings Livestock and hit the house where he grew up and where his folks still live today - Clint Branger, Deb Greenough, Scott Breding, and Walt Linderman some of the great Montana cowboys...." Mr. Parker continued by expounding on each of their many accomplishments.

Bill Parker also introduced the NFR qualifiers in the audience - Chuck Simonson, Jim Smith, Frank Shepperson, Lonnie Hall, and Joe Simon, Stock Contractor. The sale arena responded with a standing ovation in honor of the famous rodeo competitors.

Back to business - it’s stallion season and it shows - the top four sale positions were secured by powerhouse stallions - with the top selling stallion commanding $25,000.

Ink black and blue blooded, "Billy Black Chex" had earned his ROM in reining, qualified for the AQHA World Show, had earned NRHA money, and was a futurity winner - and came consigned by Susan Isaac, Boise, ID. Sired by Harbor Chex, the good-natured show horse sold to K Livestock, Billings, MT.

He’s a double-barrel dose of pedigree and promise - and "Dmac Doin Duallies" had all the right stuff. The 99 AQHA Chestnut son of Dual Pep was out of a daughter of Doc’s Hickory and came started on cattle and futurity eligible. Consigned by John Johnson, Brookings, SD, the big-time bred stud colt went to Canada with Joe Saville.

 Famous daughters added fuel to the mare fire, where daughters of Mr. Joe Glo, Slam Dun It, Doc Hollywood, Doc Tari, and Doc O Dynamite made the BLS top twenty list.

Pure using geldings continued to hold their own with a solid demand for the been-there-done-that kind. Geldings with work-place experience and sharp prospects looking- for- work saw genuine demand throughout the day.

A very low pass-out percentage - a slim 10% of the day’s offering - proved a keen market which is reflected in the overall sale averages - top five horses brought $10,850; top ten at $7,385; top 20 averaged $5,130; top 50 came in at $3,118; top 100 at $2,035, while one-half of the entire sale- averaged $1,804.

Loose horses had their own show and tell where a raging loose horse prospect market saw the day’s top selling horse sold on the loose bringing $1,375, top five $1,052, and the top ten averaged $949.

January 26 will feature the "Winter Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale in addition to the "Cabin Fever" Tack Sale offering collectible and used tack. To receive a catalog or consign to future BLS sale events, call Bill or Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers, for more information at 406-245-4151 or e-mail info@billingslivestock.com