With winter weather warming to 51 degrees, horses previewed under sunshine and blue skies for the one-day, holiday weekend event that welcomed 311 head of horses.

A 95.5% completed sales percentage authenticated the strength of the day’s market - only 14 head were “no-saled” or “passed out” by the consignor.

Topping last year’s overall sale average by $305 a head, one-third of the entire sale - including loose and catalog horses - averaged $1,830.

Mares claimed the top six selling positions with Hip 126 “Haida Cow” a 2004 AQHA Bay Mare x Haidas Little Pep and out of a Snapper Cal Bar daughter earning “Top Sale Horse” honors with a $6,000 bid from Lavonne Westland, Brockway, MT.

Blue roans and more blue roans, including Hip 61“One Dot Dancer” a 99 AQHA Blue Roan mare x Gumbo Roany and Hip 58 “Sweet N Easy Cause” a 94 AQHA Blue Roan mare x Itza Rebel were part of the Ed and Rose Urlacher, Pompeys Pillar, MT reduction offering.

The true blue girls brought $4,400 and $4,200 respectively.

Time-honored-troopers, 14 head in all, the “been-there, done-that” kind, came consigned by the Boulder, CO based Sombrero Ranches - the largest supplier of recreational horses in the United States, leasing over 1,000 head of horses to kid’s camps and guest ranches.

The good old boys and girls averaged $921.

Proof that performance and honesty continue to pack-a-punch in the gelding division, four of the top 12 selling geldings sold grade - including the day’s high selling gelding.

He sold on his ability, disposition, and conformation with no registration papers or pedigree to back it up, and Hip 22 “Chester” a 96 Grade Chestnut gelding had been used in the feed yard, on the ranch, and in the roping arena.

Consigned by D/L Quarter Horses, Chappel, NE, the gentle, working-man sold to Dennis Mercer, Lavina, MT for $4,000.

With heavy emphasis on Driftwood and High Rolling Roany bloodlines, Mike Pierson, Brussett, MT offered 11 head of weanlings from his program including Hip 98 “Map Snippys Flame” a 2005 AQHA Blue Roan filly x Snippy Wood.

The quality filly brought $2,600 and sold to Triple L Cattle Co., Billings, MT.

He’d been through the 4-H colt-to-maturity project, gathered cows, drug calves at brandings, was started heeling, and Hip 25 “Heza Painted Colonel” a 2000 AQHA/APHA Sorrel gelding x San Colonel and out of a Bunny Bid daughter was ready to go to work.

Offered by Thane and Rhonda Russell, Ryegate, MT the extra-nice gelding sold to Ann Mackay, Martinsdale, MT for $3,400.

Loose horses gained ground, with the top five averaging $997, top 10 at $848; and top 20 on the loose averaging $736. The top 50 averaged $567.60.

Overall sale averages include the top five coming in at $4,840; top 10 at $4,290; top 20 at $3,595; top 50 at $2,650; top 100 at $1873.

January 28 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