Billings, MT - Holiday shoppers from California to Canada selected from 248 head of horses at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s "New Year’s Special" Catalog Sale and regular monthly horse sale December 28.

With weather warming to 50 degrees, the preview arena was in full swing with rope horses previewing on cattle to a solid crowd of spectators for the one-day sale event.

Consignments were met with a positive market and a solid demand - only 12 head of the 248 horses offered were "passed out" by the consignor, computing to a mere 5% pass-out percentage for the day’s offering.

Testimony to the strength of the day’s trade at Billings Livestock - one-half of the entire sale, from the bottom to the top - 124 head - averaged $1,355 across the board.

A hot little number with a high octane pedigree, Hip 20 "Minnie Dots" - a 93 AQHA Chestnut mare sired by one of the best in the business - Dual Pep - and out of a Doc’s Jack Sprat daughter - topped the day’s sale with a final bid of $11,750.

Slick as oil, the young mare rode like a house-a-fire and had already produced a $3,405 NCHA money earner with her first foal to show by Lenas Jewel Bars.

Purchased by Warren Podany, Pilger, NE, the smart looking mare’s current produce record included foals by Lenas Jewel Bars, Shorty Lena, Miss N Cash, and Smart Little Jerry.

Using geldings, from ranchers to ropers, held their dominance with geldings claiming 12 of the top 20 selling positions in December.

The gig on the geldings proved that performance and honesty pack-a-punch in the gelding department, where five of the top 12 geldings - that’s one out of four horses in the top 20 sellers - were grade - and sold on their ability, disposition, and conformation with no registration papers or pedigree to back it up.

Sale highlights included a hauled-and-won-on set of rope horses consigned by Todd and Vivian Chamberlain, Riverton, WY.

A Chamberlain consignment and head horse deluxe, Hip 101 "Azeem" a 90 model grade black gelding had seen many trips to the pay window and showed his stuff in the pre-sale rope horse preview.

Bill Nugent, Water Valley, Alberta purchased the hard running, get-you-there head horse for $4,000.

World Champion Bareback rider Deb Greenough, Fromberg, MT consigned Hip 59 "Devlish Professional" a 99 APHA Bay gelding by I Am Professional.

Greenough’s had used the young gelding all summer in the Pryor Mountains gathering, sorting, branding, doctoring, over and under timber, through rough country, and in tight spots.

The big, "stays broke" gelding brought $2,700 and sold to South Morrill Feeders, Nebraska.

He’d received his education on the famous Sunlight Ranch and his manners and business-like presence told his story - he’d had a job, had a good cowboy in the saddle, and was now ready to move on - and Hip 96 Bilachia a 99 AQHA Brown Stallion x Motatin For Cash was a true cow horse consigned by Johnny Stewart, Wyola, MT.

Justin Blankenship, Ashland, MT purchased the real ranch horse for $2,000.

Younger horses saw increased demand over previous months, including the two and three year olds.

Loose horses remained steady, with the top five averaging $819, top 10 at $773; and top 20 on the loose averaging $675.

Overall sale averages include the top five coming in at $7,230; top 10 at $5,185; top 20 at $3,657; top 50 at $2,295; top 100 at $1,569; and one-half of the entire sale - loose to catalog - averaging $1,355.

January 25 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

November 23, 2002

Breeders Bonanza!

Sired by the boys who made the big-bang in the business - Peppy San Badger and Doc O’Lena - direct sons and daughters bearing their industry-impacting genetics brought the folks to town for the November 23 "Holiday Special Catalog Sale" at Billings Livestock Commission Company.

They are no longer in production and the top five selling horses tell the story - three sired by the $24 million dollar sire - Peppy San Badger - and two sired by the $15 million dollar sire - Doc O’Lena.

Top-shelf breeding stock was available - and - in strong demand - while tried and true using geldings maintained their dominance in the ride horse department.

With nearly 400 buyers from 20 states and three Canadaian provinces registered for the one-day sale spectacular, a total of 693 head of horses passed through the gates of Billings Livestock.

The sale was headlined by a designer set of mares - 30 in all - offered by the Burdettes’ of Lufkin, TX. 22 of the mares were bred to their former stallion - Badger Starlight - who has since been sold - including daughters of Peppy San Badger, Doc Tari, Doc’s Sug, Doc Fair, Doc Clabber, and Doc O’Lena.

All eyes were on Hip 118 "RW Peppy Olena" as he set a new, all-time sale record at Billings Livestock Commission Company demanding a final bid of $42,000.

"RW Peppy Olena" a 93 AQHA Bay stallion by Peppy San Badger and out of Partner in Law by Doc O’Lena was all he was bred to be - smart, stylish, and a show-stopper.

The finished cutter, complete with AQHA points, stood 15.1 hands, weighed 1,200 lbs.and moved like a cat.

Offered as part of the Burdette consignment, the class stallion was purchased by Clyde Krebs, Glen Ullin, ND. "RW Peppy Olena" will stand to outside mares in 2003.

Daughters of Doc O’Lena - both possessing size and substance - seized the number two and three sale positions bringing $12,500 and $9,000.

"Bitsy Bar O’Lena" a 91 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Doc O’Lena and out of a Peppy San daughter was offered by the Purdy Ranches, Buffalo, WY and sold to John Johnson, Brookings, SD.

Consigned by the Burdettes, Hip 125 "Deb O’Lena" an 83 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Doc O’Lena and out of a daughter of Jericho Lark sold bred to Badger Starlight and moved north with Gerhard Loeffeler, Canim Lake, British Columbia.

The good geldings continued to meet with strong demand - both registered and grade - with the top five geldings averaging $5,000.

A something for everyone market, real using geldings brought from a low of $1,500 to a high of $5,000.

Defining the areas of demand, 19 of the top 20 selling horses were over the age of five and had an established occupation - from broodmare, arena money-earner, to using ranch horse - they had found their permanent calling.

Softness in the market continues to be in the younger, plainer horses looking for work.

In the loose horse division, 340 head sold with the top loose horse ringing the bell at $1,950, followed by $1,750, and $1,350.

On the loose, the prospects pushed the market with the top five loose horses averaging $1,530, top ten at $1,315, top 20 bringing $1,084, top 50 came in at $775, while the top 100 loose horses brought $579.

As a whole, the entire sale averaged $15,800 on the top five; top ten at $10,960; top 20 came in at $7,660; top 50 at $5,066; while the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $3,613.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for December 28 and will feature the "New Year’s Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale at BLS.

To consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

October  26, 2002

"Fall Special Catalog Sale"

High-octane geldings grabbed the market and gripped a front and center presence during the October 26 "Fall Special Catalog Sale" event and regular monthly horse sale at Billings Livestock Commission Company.

Gathering up 15 out of the top 20 selling positions, all-business geldings governed the market, with the fit, fancy, and finished kind continuing to meet solid demand.

The one-day sale event welcomed 686 head of horses.

He’d been through school and worked for a living and Hip 114 "Buddy" a 95 grade gray gelding consigned by Tim and Jackie Bernstein, Faith, SD had been headed, heeled, and breakaway roped on - and did it all again in Saturday morning’s preview - in addition to seeing some long day’s dragging calves to the fire.

The model using gelding brought $4,250 and sold to Jeff Thompson, Prairie View, KS.

Consigned by Marc Matlick, Rapid City, SD, Hip 105 "Mitos Houdini" a 97 AQHA gray gelding x Mito Cody came with a solid ranching background and showed ‘em all in the rope horse preview that he was well started heading.

They always ride a good horse and Ediger Quarter Horses, Wolf Point, MT purchased the stout, everything in order gelding for $4,900.

A seasoned show horse, "Invitational" a 95 AQHA sorrel gelding x Invitation Only and out of a granddaughter of Doc Prescription and The Investor, came complete with a good attitude and his AQHA points.

Offered by Tina Elmer Morris, Colbert, WA, the "gentle for youth or amateur" gelding brought a final bid of $7,000 and sold to Ann Wells, Victor, ID.

All-in-all, the top five geldings - all with solid backgrounds and chosen careers - averaged $5,000.

The day’s top selling horse - a weanling - "Flying Heart Playboy" brought $7,300.

The 2002 AQHA Bay stallion x Sunfrost was out of a daughter of Wilywood that was out of a daughter of Freckles Playboy.

With pedigree to burn from three of the industry’s top breeding programs, the real stallion prospect was brought to BLS by Mike and Tammy Hollibaugh, Hollibaugh Flying Heart Ranch, Chadron, NE and purchased by Tim Goodman, Greenfield, MO.

Hollibaugh’s also consigned Hip 151 "Flyinghearts Lady" a 2000 model sorrel filly x Frenchman’s Guy.

Riding like a million-bucks with a mere 20 rides, the bred to run-the-barrels mare was eligible for five barrel futurities and sold to Jake Clark, Powell, WY for $5,000.

Catalog sale averages breakdown as follows - top five brought $5,790; top ten at $4,830; Top 20 came in at $3,810; and the top fifty averaged $2,626.

A rampant loose horse trade tells its own tale with the top loose horse of the day fetching $1,825, followed by $1,700, $1,475, and $1,250.

Rhyme and reason being a full slate of buyers in attendance at BLS - from top-end to bottom-end - from prospects to recipients - from riders to buckers - the buyers are on the seats to buy them "as is, how is" and that’s why the top five on the loose averaged $1,500 across the board, with the top ten commanding $1,290, the top 20 at $1,068, top 50 came in at $857, while top 100 loose horses averaged an unprecedented $699 each.

Featured loose horses included an offering from three separate bucking horse producers - from South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for November 23 and will feature the "Holiday Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale.

To consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

September 28-29 2002

"Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale"  and our annual Fall Rope Horse Sale

Billings, MT - Know-it-all geldings complimented a hit-parade of the horse industry’s genetic superstars at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s annual "Cow Country Classic" Catalog sale event September 28 - 29.

An incredible market was fueled by quality consignments and 602 buyers from 22 states and Canada, pushing the final sale total on the weekend’s top 100 horses over the one-half million dollar mark - the top 100 horses sold averaged $5,057.

They watched them in the dirt at Billings Livestock and rope horses were the rage with a "show and tell" rope horse jackpot - open only to sale horses - on Friday afternoon. With 66 teams entered, buyers and sellers alike watched the rope horses under competition circumstances.

The two-day sale rampage offered a final tally of 925 head of horses- all classes, kinds, and quality - brought to Big Sky Country by consignors from 18 western states and Canada.

Of the top seven horses sold, six were mares, one a stallion - all seven sired by industry leaders in performance events - Freckles Playboy, Smart Chic Olena, Doc Quixote, Miss N Cash, Dual Pep, and SR Hallmark.

Three horses rang the bell at $18,000, sharing the top sale horse honors for September.

Two of the top three horses were consigned by Pauli, OK breeder, trainer, and cowboy - Pat Fitzgerald, owner of Smart Mate and the late Doc Quixote.

Sired by Mr. Fitzgerald’s industry impacting sire Doc Quixote - "Zadie Quixote" a 95 AQHA Bay mare was out of a daughter of Black Gold Zan. The extra-nice mare sold in foal to Smart Mate.

"Tick Tackatoo" a 95 AQHA sorrel mare was also sired by an industry impacting sire - Freckles Playboy. The young mare was out of a daughter of Doc O’Lena and also sold in foal to Smart Mate.

Both quality mares were purchased by Wagonhound Land and Livestock, Douglas, WY.

A combination of two "million-dollar sires" produced "Chics Dun It" a 2000 model AQHA Buckskin stallion sired by Jim Babcock’s Smart Chic Olena and out of a daughter of Tim McQuay’s Hollywood Dun It.

The two-year-old with a great start and even greater genetics was consigned by John Conely, Layton, UT and sold for $18,000 to Open Spear Ranch, Melville, MT.

In the gelding department, tried and true horses were the talk of the town, with the "take- you-to-the-pay-window-now" kind in keen demand.

From roping, cutting, or reining, the geldings with the goods came packing their own records in the performance arena.

Performance-proven geldings averaged $9,360 on the top five, and $7,545 on the top ten.

General ranch and ride geldings brought from $1,200 to $4,000 depending on education and experience, eye-appeal and pedigree.

An absolute explosive loose horse trade kept folks on the seats Sunday, where records were shattered and America’s loose horse trade grabbed a gear - the top loose horse brought $2,200, while the top five averaged $1,700, and the top 50 head of horses - sold loose - as is, where is - brought $901. The top 100 head - over 33% of the loose horses offered - averaged $633.

The entire sale averages set records at BLS, with the five averaging $17,000, top ten brought $15,050, top twenty came in at $11,230, top 50 averaged $7,209, and the top 100 head of horses sold - nearly 10% of the days offering - averaged $5,057.

Strength of the market is reflected in the no sale, or pass out percentage - a slim 13%.

Weanlings sold from a high of $4,000 - a Gene Escott, Faith, SD consignment - a 2002 Palomino filly by GE Frosty Drift and out of a Frenchmans Guy daughter, to a median price of $567 a head.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for October 26. The "Fall Special" Catalog Sale features "Performance Horses" and will offer all classes of horses, including finished horses, prospects, mares, stallions, geldings, and young stock.

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

August 23-24-25 2002

"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

July 27 - 28, 2002

"Mid Summer Catalog Sale"

featuring Cutting Horses!

Cutting Class

Billings, MT - Cowhorses filled cowtown with finished, proven products pushing the market at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s "Mid Summer Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale featuring cutting horses July 27 - 28.

Packing paychecks, hauled and won on, the horses with substantiated earnings graced the top of the Billings Livestock high seller chart, with every horse in the top five bearing a reputable record - all five came complete with National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) earnings.

Market strength in Montana is alive and well with testimony given by the low pass-out percentage - a slim 15% of the 718 head of horses offered during the two-day sale event - were "passed-out" by the seller.

Horses sold to 20 states and Canada, with a steady, solid demand for sharp, honest using geldings continuing - while - for the fourth consecutive month - the younger, plainer, less experienced horses were the buy of the weekend.

Billings Livestock was proud to present Gary and Sandra Fishko’s multi-talented stallion "The Smart Smoke" as part of the July sale event. A true athlete and true producer, the big-time stallion was backed by a spectacular show career.

The exceptional son of Smart Little Lena had won $20,000 NCHA money, $3,600 in the NRHA, and amassed 100 AQHA points.

Out of a $20,000 money earning daughter of Mr. Gunsmoke - "Miss Reed Smoke", the 86 AQHA Bay stallion passed his versatility on to his get - producing over $214,000 in money earners, 46 performers with 7 ROM’S - cutting, reining, and working cowhorse.

Purchased by Rimrock Livestock, John and Diane Spizziri, Shawmut, MT, the special stallion will compliment an already top mare program including daughters of Dual Pep, Badger Starlight, Doc Tari, and Boon Bar. Rimrock Livestock’s annual production sale is set for September 14 at the Carraige House Arena in Big Timber, MT.

North Star Ranch, Livingston, MT, offered "Little Blue Robin" a 98 AQHA Bay mare sired by their $40,000 NCHA money earning stallion "Little Blue Lynx" x Smart Little Lena.

Shown on cattle in the pre-sale previews, the extra-nice mare had already earned her NCHA COA and accumulated $3,000 in winnings.

Appreciative of quality, Channing, TX cowboy Andy Michaels purchased the mare-with- a-future for $14,500.

Ranch and using geldings made up the bulk of the weekend’s sale offerings, with demand strong on the finished, honest kind made in the west everyday.

A horse for every trade, from common to spectacular, pricing on the cow horse geldings was dependent on pedigree, quality, and honesty, ranging from $1,200 to $7,500.

A red-hot loose horse market played to a full sale arena, and again, saw Billings Livestock set the pace for the nation with the top selling loose horse bringing $1,675, followed by $1,400, and $1,250.

Loose horse sale avearges include the top five at $1,355, top ten $1,164; and the top 50 horses on the loose averaged $791.

Overall sale averages summarized the weekend’s quality offerings with the top five averaging $12,200; top ten $8,930; top 20 brought $6,557; top 50 averaged $4,295, while the top 100 came in at $3,011.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes their annual "Speed Horse" Sale, "August Catalog Sale", and "Montana Miniature and Pony Sale" in a three-day sale blitz set for August 23-24-25.

An open barrel race with $500 added will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday morning, August 23 in the BLS Arena.

To enter, consign or request a catalog, contact Bill or Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

June 22, 2002

"Summer Special Catalog Sale"

featuring Team Penning Horses!

Geldings To Go!

Arena bound and honest, the number-one kind of finished gelding drew the interest at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s "Summer Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale June 22.

Featuring "team penning" horses, the weekend’s events kicked off Friday afternoon with a jackpot team penning on sale horses in the BLS Arena.

The one-day Saturday sale blitz saw 606 head of horses offered- with horses seeing final destinations to 20 states and Canada.

Tuned in and tuned up, the geldings with the goods were the ready-to-go-to-the arena kind - finished, honest, and proven.

Proving that it pays to play - the team penning team of Sally Johnson, Cody Cochum, and Ken McDaniel - all aboard sale horses - won third place in the pre-sale team penning aboard Hips 118, 54, and 189.

Hip 118 "Fizz" was an all-around kind of fellow gentle enough for anyone and the 12 year-old appy gelding brought $3,200 and sold to Ed Brainard, Manhattan, MT.

Cody Cochum, Elko, NV rode Hip 54 "One Peep’ a 93 AQHA Buckskin Gelding that had been ranch ridden and seen lots of country and brought $3,900 from Witt Crowser, Belle Fourche, SD.

Rounding off the team was the real-deal kind of mare - Hip 189 "R Little Banker" a 95 APHA Solid Chestnut consigned by Ken McDaniel, Parma, ID. The cow-horse brought $5,400 and sold to Robert Sentman, Tiffin, IA.

He had it all - proven head horse, proven barrel horse, and proven show horse and Hip 116 "Smokin Francis" had smoked ‘em at the pay window and the 91 AQHA Brown gelding came consigned by Lisa Doyle, Payton, CO.

Sired by Fols Smoke, the 16.1 hand, gentle gelding brought $12,000 and sold to Stanley Germundson, Marshall, ND.

Proving that Paddy’s have more than regional appeal, the former John Scott Ranch sire - Paddy’s Irish Whiskey - now standing at the famous 6666’s - sired Hip 43 "Hawks Whisper" - a 2001 model AQHA sorrel stallion.

Brought to town by Ruth Anderson, Granstsville, UT, the show-stopping flaxen mane and tailed stud colt with charisma sold to Randle Tune, Whitesboro, TX for $15,000.

Back to the using horses, the good using horses saw a high of $5,600 and a low of $1,500.

Price variables included work experience, eye appeal, pedigree, and a "want to" attitude, with gentle being an important ingredient in the mix.

Value was again found in the younger, less experienced type horses. Prospects looking for work brought from $700 to $2,000.

Loose horse prices pushed the limit for the seventh straight month, with the top selling horse on the loose bringing $1,600 followed by $1,425, and $1,300. The top 50 loose horses averaged $788.

Overall sale averages came in at $8,510 for the top five; top ten at $6,305; Top twenty at $4,817; top 50 brought $3,259; and the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $2,406.

Next on the Billings Livestock Horse Sale schedule July 27-28 is the "Mid-Summer Catalog Sale" featuring cutting horses.

Cattle will be available to show the cutters, in addition to steers for the roping horses.

To consign or request a catalog, contact Bill or Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

MAY 25 - 26 SALE REPORT

"Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale"

Featuring Ranch Horses!

Gelding Power!

A still smoking gelding market full of real ranch horses and good geldings sitting on go highlighted Billings Livestock Commission Company’s annual "Cow Country Classic" Catalog Sale and regular monthly horse sale on May 25 - 26.

Complimented by the "Best of the Remuda" Ranch horse competition, the using geldings came to town to show their stuff in a judged competition - and - geldings claimed 14 out of the top 20 selling positions.

The geldings with the gas were the kind made in the west everyday - true using horses - finished, working, and coming complete with their lessons learned.

With 673 head of horses offered during the two-day sale event, horses found new homes in 19 states and Canada.

A proven barrel horse that had pocketed his share of earnings - from WPRA to regional jackpots - Hip 138 "Sir Doctor Tari" a 91 AQHA bay - was competed on right up through sale day.

He was bred to cow on the topside and bred to run on the bottom and the big-time barrel horse set a new gelding record at Billings Livestock bringing a final bid of $14,000.

Sired by Sr Doctor Tari x Doc Tari and out of a daughter of Top Fugitive by Top Deck, the the rodeo-ready barrel horse was offered by Rod and Phyllis Brosz, Shepherd, MT and sold to Broken Bones Cattle Co., Lander, WY.

At the top of the pack was a tip-top mare - Hip 91 "Santana Pep" - a 97 AQHA Sorrel Mare by one of the hottest stars in the business - Bar H’s big-time sire Dual Pep - and out of a daughter of Dry Doc.

The finished cutting mare - only five years old - had a stud colt by her side by "Playboy Seventy" - a Strait Rail Ranch Sire.

Consigned by Strait Rail Ranch, Nevis, MN, the pretty, powerfully pedigreed mare sold to Rimrock Livestock, John and Diane Spizziri, Shawmut, MT for $17,000.

Ranch ridden, exposed to the elements, and packing a work ethic - geldings had the goods - with the top 20 geldings alone averaging $4645.

A sale highlight included the 2-4-6 Ranch Reduction Sale, Harold and Deb Adema, Sundance, WY, including top producing mares, geldings, and sires.

Rope horses and cutting horses previewed on cattle both days, allowing the consumer a birds-eye view of the consignments.

Gentle, finished geldings met with very strong demand, while the younger, less experienced geldings saw considerably less interest and were again a value to the buyer.

Loose horses ran rampant at Billings Livstock for the sixth consecutive month - maintaining BLS’s status as the top loose horse market in the United States - with the top selling horse on the loose demanding $1,450, the top five at $1,320, the top ten averaging $1,197, while the top 50 loose horses on the loose averaged $827.

Entire sale averages include the top five at $9,800; top ten at $7,460; top 20 brought $5,737; Top 50 came in at $4,179; while the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $3,264.

Billings Livstock’s next sale event is set for June 22 and will feature "Team Penning" horses. All classes and types of horses will sell, from prospects, mares, stallions, and finished horses.

An open, draw-pot team penning is set for Friday, June 21 at 3 p.m. with one horse in each team being a sale horse.

Cattle will be available to show the cutting horses and rope horses beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Ride horse preview will follow.

To consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or see it a all at www.billingslivestock.com

APRIL 27 - 28 SALE REPORT

"April Catalog Sale" Featuring ROPE HORSES!

 Talkin’ Ropin’

Horses Sell to 20 States and 3 Canadian Provinces

Billings, MT - Rope horses packed the horsepower with the hauled-and-won-on kind causing the big-bang at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s fourth annual "Rope Horse Special" Catalog Sale and regular monthly horse sale April 27 - 28.

The weekend was off and running with a "show and tell" rope horse jackpot - open only to sale horses - on Friday evening. With 90 teams entered, buyers and sellers alike watched the rope horses under competition circumstances.

Proving the point - 16 of the top 20 selling horses were cataloged as Rope horses and competed in the pre-sale jackpot.

A final tally of 812 head of horses were offered at the two-day sale spree - all classes, types, and occupations - brought to cowtown by sellers from 16 states and two Canadian provinces - and sold to buyers from 20 states and three Canadian Provinces.

Hauled to the big ones and cashed checks at them, too, Hip 175 "Jack’s Paleface" a 93 AQHA Gray Gelding x Jack Two Snips was a three-in-one package of head horse, heel horse, and tripping horse.

Honored as the reserve Champion last year in the Northwest Steer Roping Association, the quiet and sensible-gentle giant was consigned by Keith Magnus, Hayden Lake, ID and sold for $7,500 to R. Reetz, Pueblo, CO.

She’d qualified for every major Finals in the book from the NFR, USTRC, and CNFR and Hip 201 "Jenny Jo Chex" an 83 AQHA Brown Mare x Parky Chex was a dead-shot heel horse.

The only mare to crack the BLS top twenty in April, "Jenny Jo Chex" also claimed the top-spot at the BLS Team Roping jackpot.

She’d seen the lights of Las Vegas from the Thomas and Mack and Mike Hollibaugh, Chadron, NE purchased the big-time mare from Pat and Kay Lynn Beard, Walla Walla, WA for $6,750.

Young, right, and on his way - Hip 106 "Heza Sociable Ghost" a 97 AQHA sorrel gelding x Beaus Ghost was a head/heel combo package offered by Bart Harris, Firth, ID.

The get-along-wth-anyone kind of gelding brought a final bid of $6,300 and sold to Dave Duncan, Washougol, WA.

The top 50 working geldings offered over the weekend ranged from a low of $2,200 to a high of $7,500, depending on experience, condition, pedigree, and disposition.

Demand for gentle, finished geldings continues to be strong, while true value was found in the younger, less experienced horses.

A raving loose market continued at Billings Livestock for the fifth straight month - qualifying the sale as the top loose horse market in the nation - where the top loose horses brought $1,375, $1,325, and $1,150 - with the top five averaging $1,185, top ten brought $1,060, with the top 50 loose horses averaging $814.

Sale averages for the entire sale reflect a sound, solid market with the top five selling horses averaging $7,230; top ten brought $6,675; top 20 at $5,960; top 50 came in at $4,790; and the top 100 head of horses sold brought $3,737.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for May 25 - 26 and will feature the annual "Cow Country Classic" catalog sale in addition to the "Best of the Remuda" Ranch Gelding competition. Featured in May will be Ranch geldings along with kid’s ponies and horses.

Ranch Horse competition is set for 5 p.m. Friday, May 24 in the BLS Arena.

Cattle will be available both days to preview the rope horses and cutting horses.

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

MARCH 23 - 24 SALE REPORT

"Spring Special Catalog Sale"

Reds, Blues, and Grays - Focus on Foundation

Billings, MT - Roans and grays ruled the roost and real using horses met with strong demand at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s March 23 - 24 "Spring Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale featuring "Foundation-Bred" horses and the "Canadian Classic" sale sessions.

Blue roans and grays gathered attention and claimed six of ten top sale positions while winter-like weather brought a standing-room only crowd to town where 595 head of horses sold to 18 states and Canada during the two-day sale spree.

A crazed loose horse market plowed a path for the rest to follow with the number one horse selling on the loose bringing $1,500, followed by $1,475, $1,450, $1,300, and $1,275 - for an unprecedented top five average of $1,400.

Proving that it’s not a hit and miss market, the top ten on the loose averaged $1,244, the top 20 brought $1,020, while the top fifty loose horses averaged $831.

Interest and excitement remained strong on first-class mares and name-brand stallions and genetics maintained it’s hold on the top sale positions with Hip 107 "Boon Bars Last Gift" a 97 AQHA sorrel mare x Boon Bar and heavy in foal to Highbrow Hickory seizing the number-one sale position with final bid of $12,000.

Consigned by Double D Creek Ranch, Sauk Rapids, MN, the pretty cutting mare sold to Rimrock Livestock, Shawmut, MT.

King Ranch bred and branded and sired by their famous Doc Bar son - Dry Doc - and out of Rojo 53 by El Rey Rojo - "Doc’s Reddy" an 86 AQHA Bay stallion - brought $9,000 from Hugh Aycock, Tolleson, AZ.

Also consigned by Double D Creek Ranch, the text-book stallion had produced AQHA point earners in addition to NCHA money earners.

Pure using geldings with the goods - a job, eye appeal, and disposition, saw plenty of demand for the tried-and-true type where the top five geldings averaged $4,540.

Overall price range on the stock horse geldings - from the number one gelding to the number 50 gelding - was $5,300 for the high and a $2,100 low - on an honest, working class gelding.

A something-for-everyone horse market saw the entire sale - from breeding stock to riding stock - average $7,520 on the top five, with the top ten at $5,860, top 20 at $4,642, top 50 bringing $3,447, while the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $2,676.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 27 - 28 and will feature the fifth annual "Rope Horse Special" catalog sale and regular monthly horse sale.

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 April 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.

FEBRUARY 23-24 SALE REPORT:

Annual "February Catalog Sale" featuring "Sons and Daughters of Champions and Money Earners"

"Jettin Peppy" sets sale record - stallion brings $29,000

Billings, MT - Bearing the King Ranch brands on every corner and belonging to an elite fraternity - a direct son of the famous King Ranch sire "Peppy San Badger" - a 1988 AQHA bay stallion "Jettin Peppy" - smashed all previous sale records with a final bid of $29,000 at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s "February Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale February 23 - 24.

Accented by a special sale session of "Sons and Daughters" of AQHA Champions and Money Earners, the weekend’s selection offered sons and daughters of a "who’s who" in the horse business with a definite focus on genetics.

The two-day horse sale blitz welcomed a total of 554 head of horses selling to an overflowing crowd of buyers from 18 states and Canada.

It was "Little Peppys" front and center with three out of the top five sale positions bearing his famous bloodline - including daughters of Paddy’s Irish Whiskey and Haidas Little Pep.

Number one and looking every bit the part - Hip 141 "Jettin Peppy" was proof-positive why the "Little Peppys" pack the power - sensible, strong, and 100% cowhorse - while "Jettin Peppy’s" dam side - his mother is a granddaughter of both Jet Deck and Top Moon - provided the run, size and stretch.

Offered by Paul Reinert, Wynnewood, OK, the special stallion was purchased and will stand with Allen Munger, Borderview Ranch, Opheim, MT.

He’s a son of "Little Peppy" and a top-ten, all-time leading sire himself, and "Haidas Little Pep" has sired over $6 million in money earners and sired the number-two horse of the sale - "Haida Rositta" a 99 AQHA sorrel mare consigned by John Johnson, Brookings, SD.

The pretty mare with plenty of style was out of a producing daughter of Doc O’Lena - already the mother of $150,000 in money earners. The quiet, balanced filly sold to Warren Podany, Hilger, NE for $16,000.

Daughters of Doc’s Hickory and Doc’s Oak also claimed top sale positions with "Hickory Mia" a 97 AQHA Bay mare by Doc’s Hickory bringing $10,500. Offered by John Johnson, Brookings, SD, the stand-up mare sold to Rhett Searle, Vernal, UT.

"Oaks Jameen" a 97 AQHA sorrel mare by Doc’s Oak had been started on cattle and used on the ranch. Consigned by Marty McCormick, Weatherford, TX and purchased by Carla Conway, Decula, GA the attractive mare sold for $9,500.

Geldings with good credentials saw strong demand in a very potent gelding market where the top five geldings alone averaged $7,510. The honest, ready-to-haul geldings with documented money earnings - from roping, cutting, or barrel racing - were truly the stars of the show.

Affordability and value came in the prospect department, where the geldings "looking for work" brought from $1,000 to $2,500.

He raised him, showed him, and brought him to town and Woking, Alberta trainer Jim Meyaard consigned Hip 59 "Shellac’s Blackburn" a 94 AQHA Bay gelding by Shellac x Kitaman.

Purchased by Terry Logan, Belfield, ND the been-to-the-arena and ready-to-go back barrel horse brought $7,900.

A wild and wooly loose horse trade continued at Billings Livestock where the top selling loose horse rang the bell at $1,450.

Better than that, the top 50 horses selling on the loose averaged $800 - the top five brought $1,250, with the top ten coming in at $1,149.

Overall sale averages came in with the top five at $15,000; top ten brought $11,380; top twenty averaged $8,328; top 50 at $5,495; and the top 100 horses sold averaging $4,019.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be March 23 - 24 and will feature the "March Catalog Sale" featuring foundation-bred horses and the "Canadian Classic" - a special session of Canadian horses. Loose horses will sell Sunday at 9 a.m.

Contact Bill or Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Horse Sale Managers to consign or request a catalog at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

January 26 , 2002 SALE REPORT

"Winter Special Catalog Sale" and "Cabin Fever Tack Sale"

Prospects Pummel the Market

BLS Loose Horse Craze Continues

Propelled by the prospects, Billings Livestock Commission Company’s loose horse trade continued in solid fashion - where a standing-room-only, sale-going crowd entertained a substantial market in all divisions at Billings Livestock Commission Company’s "Winter Special Catalog Sale" and regular monthly horse sale January 26.

A tip-top loose horse trade saw 135 head offered specifically on the loose, with the pick-of-the-bunch bringing $1,350, while the top five averaged $1,132, and the top ten brought $1,038.

Officially, Billings Livestock welcomed 285 head of horses for the one-day sale event, where proof-positive of a solid market is reflected in the low "pass-out" percentage - only 9% of the total sale - 26 head out of the 285 head offered for sale were "passed out" by the consignor.

Dun, dapper, and a double-dip of Pretty Buck, Hip 46 "Eternal War Champ" a 97 AQHA Dun Stallion by Mr. Blackburn Champ and out of a daughter of Mr. Blackburn 3, topped the day’s sale with a final bid of $7,250.

Brought to town by Rimrock Livestock, John and Diane Spizziri, Shawmut, MT and purchased by Cook Creek Performance Horses, Ashland, MT, the true Foundation-bred stallion was everything he was bred to be.

Mares maintained maximum horse power with the number two and three sales positions coveted by top-notch daughters of well-known sires - Cash Quixote Rio and Tamulena.

"Little Sassy Cash" a 96 model AQHA sorrel daughter of Cash Quixote Rio had been shown in the NCHA Futurity as a three-year-old - her only time shown. The big, flashy mare was consigned by David and Marla Hughes, Spanish Fork, UT and sold to Kruger Quarter Horses, Maynard, MN for $6,600.

Very pretty and packed with charisma, Hip 100 "Young Gun Lena" a 2000 AQHA sorrel filly sired by Tamulena and out of a daughter of Young Gun, was a top gun mare full of future. Purchased for $6,250 by Warren Podany, Pilger, NE, she was offered by John Johnson, Brookings, SD.

The better-end using geldings- the trustworthy kind with a job - gained marketability as the the top gelding of the day brought $5,600.

Validation in the strength of the gelding market is shown in the "geldings only average" where the top five geldings brought $4,400 - including two registered and three "grade" geldings.

Proving once and for all that if they can do a day’s work, have eye-appeal and versatility, pedigree is secondary in the gelding business.

A whopping 40% of the horse sold - including loose and cataloged - averaged $1,818. Overall sale averages include the top five at $6,080; top ten brought $4,870; top 20 came in at $3,837, while the top 50 averaged $2,610.

February 23-24 will be the next horse sale event at Billings Livestock and will feature the "February Catalog Sale" highlighted by a special, limited session of "Sons and Daughters" of Champions and Money Earners.

For more information, to consign, or to request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or 1-800-635-7364. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com