October 28 ONE Big Sale Day "Fall Special Catalog Sale" Featuring PERFORMANCE HORSES and SPECIAL PRODUCTION OFFERINGS INDOOR PREVIEW HorsePalace Arena Friday 3 p.m. Catalog is open to all classes and will offer arena horses, rope horses, ranch and using horses, prospects, mares, stallions, ponies, and young stock |
January 27 ONE Big Sale Day "Winter Special Catalog Sale" featuring PERFORMANCE HORSES and our Cabin Fever Tack Sale INDOOR PREVIEW HorsePalace Arena Friday 3 p.m. Catalog is open to all classes and will offer arena horses, rope horses, ranch and using horses, prospects, mares, stallions, ponies, and young stock |
November 25 ONE Big Sale Day "Holiday Special Catalog Sale" featuring PERFORMANCE HORSES INDOOR PREVIEW HorsePalace Arena Friday Catalog is open to all classes and will offer arena horses, rope horses, ranch and using horses, prospects, mares, stallions, ponies, and young stock |
February 23-24-25 Three Days of Horse Sales "February Special Catalog Sale" featuring our annual "SONS & DAUGHTERS" sale offering INDOOR PREVIEW HorsePalace Arena Friday 10 a.m. Catalog is open to all classes and will offer arena horses, rope horses, ranch and using horses, prospects, mares, stallions, ponies, and young stock |
Credibility, reliability, and accountability - it's important to us at Billings Livestock. At Billings Livestock we're proud to be federally licensed and bonded. We are also governed by the Montana Department of Livestock. The figures reported in our monthly sale reports are correct and accurate and subject to both state and federal audits. Text the word Billings to 313131 to receive our latest text notifications SALE REPORT SEPTEMBER 23 & 24, 2017 All The Good Horses From first horse to last, Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Catalog Sale” September 22-24 came loaded with an outstanding set of horses in all classes, disciplines, and performance divisions from prospects to finished arena horses. The two-day sale event offered 717 horses, welcomed 502 registered buyers, 256 purchased horses, 67 no sales, and a top five sale average of $19,600. The big weekend started Friday afternoon with a performance preview followed by the “rope horse show” hosted by the HorsePalace Arena as the sale horse jackpot saw 168 teams - every horse a sale horse - compete in the professionally produced, two-go-around and finals format roping. From High School Champs to World Champs, the BLS jackpot had it all going on and was a true show and tell of the rope horses offered. The Fall 2017 Team Roping Championship to Hip 48 piloted by Trey Huber and Hip 128 shown by Paul Griemsman, the team roped three steers in 20.14. An honest-to-goodness smoking set of rope horses set the pace for the weekend where the top sale horse brought $24,500 and the top five rope horses averaged $14,000. Straight to the top of the high sellers listing he went - Hip 205 “ Guns In Roses” a 2016 AQHA Gray Colt by Dash Ta Fame and out of Perks N Roses by Dash For Perks was all he was bred to be - handsome, strong, and an honest stallion prospect. Raised and consigned by Jeff and Eva Hepper, Keene, ND, the fancy fella came gentle and correct, and sold to Stephanie Bake, Pocatello, ID for $24,500. Runnerup sale honors at $24,000 to Hip 77 “Perks Prize Fame” a 2016 AQHA Sorrel Colt by Dash Ta Fame also bred and raised by Jeff and Eva Hepper, Keene, ND. Hip 84 “Verysmartraemy” a 2010 AQHA Chestnut Gelding sired by Very Smart Remedy offered by Nelson Ranch, Lewellen, NE came gentle, cowy, and the same every day. Home raised and ranch broke, the solid gelding brought $18,000 and sold to Michael Delaney, Grass Range, MT. Earning top rope horse status was Hip 70 “Sonita Snickers” a 2006 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Poco Buckin Jessie consigned by Ron Bishop, Norco, CA and purchased by Merritt Bradshaw, Huntley, MT for $16,000. Young, old, and everything in between, good horses saw strong demand throughout the weekend as the top ten averaged $16,850, top 20 at $14,460, top 50 brought $10,648 and the top 100 averaged $8,047. Loose horses again saw a bump in price as the best processing horses pushed the 60 cent mark and the riding prospects ruled the loose pen where the top horse on the loose brought $3,050 and the top five averaged $2,020, top ten at $1,780, top 20 brought $1,466, top 50 averaged $1,087, and the top 100 brought $885. Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” is set for October 28 and features performance horses. An indoor, climate and ground controlled preview for the barrel horses, cutters, saddle and ride horses, calf horses, and team roping horses is set for 3 p.m. on Friday, October 27 at the HorsePalace Arena, exit 437 on I-90. Complete catalog will be available on-line Thursday, October 19 at www.billingslivestock.com For more information contact Jann Parker, Horse Sale Manager, at 406.855.1947 SALE REPORT AUGUST 26, 2017 Going Strong From Ramona, CA to Salisbury, MA, horses sold from coast to coast at Billings Livestock’s “August Special Catalog Sale” featuring Speed Bred and Performance Horses August 26. One big day of horses saw 551 head – from ponies to draft crosses – push the August sale gross to a ten year high as strong demand for quality was evident for the better horses in all divisions. Market strength was shown in the top 20 where four of the top selling horses sold grade – entirely on their individual merits and not on pedigree – bringing $8,000, $6,600, $6,200, and $6,000. Top 20 averaged $7,257. Friday’s afternoon preview plus that evening’s UBRC “It’s All About You” barrel race kicked it all off at the HorsePalace Arena with 87 runs including nine sale horses. Top sale honors to Hip 112 “Bullettts Rainee Dash” a 2004 AQHA Brown Mare x Dashing With Cash x First Down Dash and out of Bullish Bullett x Bully Bullion offered by Keely Kleven, Williston, ND and purchased by Jeremy Bruhn, Blaisell, ND for $13,000. Big, honest, already a seasoned hauler, Hip 239 “Gonna Be Famous Guyz” a 2014 AQHA Gray Gelding x Moons Last Dance x Dash Ta Fame and out of a Reynolds Rap bred mother was truly a fancy prospect. Consigned by Dark Horse Ventures, LLC, Park City, MT and purchased by Lavette Spencer, Ulen, MN he came patterned on the barrels and poles, been exposed to all the sights and was ready to go to the next level. The standout gelding brought $10,000. Certainly one-of-a-kind, Hip 62 “Melena” a 2007 Grade Buckskin Fjord/Freisian Cross Mare offered by J & A Horse Ranch, Preston, MN came broke and gentle. Ridden on many overnight pack trips and trail rides, the gentle mare carried the American Flag in the BLS Barrel Race on Friday evening. She brought $6,200 and sold to Marianne Cyr, Salisbury, MA. Sale averages include the top five at $9,860; top ten brought $8,580; Top 20 at $7,257; top 50 at $5,450; and top 100 averaged $4,151. Billings Livestock’s loose horse market continues it’s red hot run where again – over 30 head selling loose – no speech, no rider, no guarantee – brought $1,000 or better. A total of 272 head were offered loose where the top three - all riding prospects brought $3,000, $2,500, and $2,300, pushing the top five average to $2,340, top ten at $2,050; top 20 brought $1,763; top 50 at $1,263, and the top 100 averaged $954. Processing horses bumped it up a bit over July where the 1,000 lb or better horses brought 52 cents, followed by the 900-1,000 lbs at 45-47 cents, and 800 lbs pushed 35 cents. Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 23-25 The big, fall sale event will headline “Rope Horses” with a team roping jackpot for sale horses only at 1 p.m. Friday, September 22. 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 Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-855-1947. SALE REPORT JULY 22, 2017 Sumertime Talent Finished performance horses, standout prospects, and honest trail rides, Billings Livestock’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog Sale” July 22 offered it all. A one-day total of 515 head came through the gates of Billings Livestock where the top sale horses brought $15,000 and the top five averaged $12,460. Two horses shared July’s top sale honors with a $15,000 sale price and included Hip 133 "Evangelena" a 2012 AQHA Sorrel Mare x One Time Petpo and Hip 208 “Wrangler” a 2006 Grade Blue Roan Gelding. Bred, raised, and shown by JJ and Tiffany Manion, Cody, WY, Hip 133 “Evangelena” had been shown at NCHA cutting events including the Futurity where she was a finalist in the Limited Non-Pro. Out of a producing daughter of Shorty Lena, the solid, ready-to-show mare had NCHA earnings of $8,551 and sold to Karla Camp, Twin Bridges, MT. Big and gentle, true blue, and a quarter draft, Hip 208 “Wrangler” came offered by Ed Schwartz and family, Sanford, CO. Ridden on the ranch, used for hunting and packing, the unique, honest guy sold to Nancy Gooding, Englewood, CO. Another horse that was offered by the ranch that raised him, Hip 122 “Major Peppy Moore” a 2009 AQHA Bay Gelding x Peppys Thunder Boy had seen both the ranch and arena. Offered by Tara Turbiville, Rhame, ND, the stout, bay fellow had run barrels, poles, goat tying, flag race, keyhole, breakaway, heading, heeling, and turnback at cuttings. Ridden in parades and grand entries, he sold to Paula Brown, Red Lodge, MT for $12,500. Raised and offered by Cowan Select Horses, Havre, MT, Hip 130 “Loverycious” a 2014 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Halreycious and out of a daughter of High Brow Cat was flashy and on-track for the fall futurities. Shown in the cutting previews by Robbie Boyce – a $1 Million dollar NCHA, NRCHA, and NRHA rider – the fancy mare brought $8,000 and sold to Donald Goodbun, Charlie Lake, BC. Rope horses showed their stuff in the Saturday morning preview with Hips 96 “Sharkbait” a 2007 Grade Dun Gelding offered by Randy Hull, Jr, Granger, WA topping the day’s selection with a $6,750 price tag, and Hip 84 “Chex Docs Knight” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Knight Robber consigned by Rawley Stanley, Hermiston, OR bringing $6,400. Geldings continue their reign at Billings as 16 out of the top 20 were geldings. Inclusive sale averages reflect a solid market as the top five averaged $12,460; top Ten at $10,590; Top 20 at $8,792; Top 50 brought $6,566; and top 100 averaged $4,696. Loose market continues strong as the top end of the processing horses pushed 45 cents and the riding prospects rocked as the top five averaged $1,890, top ten at $1,652; top 20 at $1,406; top 50 at $1,094; and top 100 averaged $869. Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Special Catalog Sale” August 26. UBRC barrel race with $300 added - open to all barrel racers - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday afternoon August 25 at the HorsePalace Arena. Sale horses are encouraged to compete and enter with a $100 bonus awarded to the sale horse clocking the fastest time. Preview of ride and rope horse previous to UBRC barrel race. To enter, consign or request a catalog, contact Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Manager at 406-855-1947or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT JUNE 24, 2017 All The Best Stuff From ranch horses to arena horses, a quality set of horses highlighted Billings Livestock’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” June 24. Kicked off with a well attended team sorting seminar and competition on sale horses Friday afternoon at the HorsePalace Arena, the one-day sale welcomed 583 head of horses. Official sale stats include a 96.4% completed sales percentage , $15,000 for the weekend’s top sale horse, a top five average of $11,540, and 328 horses offered “loose”. Used in the seminar and shown to the Championship of the Team Sorting, Hip 82 “Chook” a 2013 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Boon Too Suen x Peptoboonsmal earned top sale honors. Purchased by Flying H Ranch, Big Horn, Wy and shown by Brandon Kruger, who also instructed the seminar, the all-around gelding was offered by Kruger Performance Horses, Lake Lillian, MN and had earned AQHA points as well as taking riders to the pay window in the USTPA, RSNC, and MRSA. A truly show-stopping gelding, Hip 75 “Two Eyed Red Wolf” a 2010 AQHA Buckskin sired by a Two Eyed Red Buck grandson - Kis Battle Song - offered by Tony Beckstead, Panguitch, UT came double fancy and ready-to-work. Ranch used and started roping, the 16 hand, 1300 lb gentleman brought $13,000 and sold to John Dagenhart, Culbertson, MT. He‘d owned him the past four years, and Hip 116 “Nails” a 2009 Grade Brown Gelding offered by Joe Fox, Hysham, MT, had seen extensive ranch use, feedlot hours, and came gentle. A tried and true ranch gelding, he brought $10,200 and will continue to see ranch employment with Jack Young, Lloyd, MT. Barrel horses also graced the top 20 sellers listing, and included Hip 157 “Blazin Monkey Wrench” a 2007 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Blazin Jetalena consigned by Claudia Ogilvie, Hot Springs, SD. Hauled, won on, paid in full to Future Fortunes, the stylish mare was quiet, gentle, patterned on poles, and brought $9,000. Hip 36 “BigBugShine” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x First To Shine x First Down Dash and out of a daughter of Shawne Bug was offered by Cody Tew, Brock, TX. The well started head horse had also seen extensive ranch use and brought $5,500 and sold to Shannon Curry, Valier, MT. Overall sale averages include the top five at $11,540, top ten at $9,530; top 20 at $7,720; top 50 brought $5,574; and the top 100 averaged $4,125. Again, the BLS loose horse trade delivered - with the high selling loose horse bringing $3,300 and 31 head commanding $1,000 or better. The top five averaged $2,150, top ten at $1,855, top 20 brought $1,642; Top 50 at $1,224, and top 100 at $928. Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be July 22. Already popping with a solid line-up of first-class horses, the annual “Mid-Summer” Catalog Sale features cutting and cowbred horses. All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation. SALE REPORT MAY 27, 2017 Shine Shine Shine The good gelding show hit repeat for Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic” Catalog sale May 27. Headlined by a stellar set of using horses and complimented by the judged “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition, better horses had their day as the top five averaged $15,440. A one-day total of 571 head of horses were offered, with 42 shown in Friday’s competition. Presented and consigned by Cierra Kunesh, Helena, MT, earning the Reserve Championship Ranch Horse title, claiming May’s top sellers position with a $26,500 sale price, and Hip 174 “BR Desperados Twist” a 2010 AQHA Gray Gelding by Seven S Desperado x Real Gun and out of Twist My Ear was the real deal – show, ranch, or rope, the double fancy gelding had it going on. The all-around gelding sold to Grady Duncan, Millwood, VA. The 2017 “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse championship honors went to Hip 116 “Royal Redgold” a 2012 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x RB Royal Gold x C Royal Olena offered by Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT. Shown to his championship by Chad Turner, the quiet, gentle gelding was started heeling, breakaway, calf roping, had been trail ridden, and brought $12,200. Call her tailor-made, Hip 170 “Chica Please” a 2007 AQHA Bay Mare x Chic Please owned and shown by Cassidy Coltrain, Longmont, CO had earned a long list of accolades in both the PHAA and Stock Horse Of Texas (SHOT) events, and earned third-place in the ranch horse competition. Talented, capable, and willing, the striking mare brought $15,000 and sold to J.D. Doyle, Toston, MT. Jim Colombe, Mission, SD consigned Hip 173 “JC Frosty Flashlight” a 2013 AQHA Buckskin Stallion x CS Flashlight and out of a daughter of Sun Frost. Strong and handsome, the one-owner gelding with a big future brought $10,000 and sold to Karla Hansen, Kersey, CO. The top 20 horses included one mare, one stallion, and 18 geldings – including three grade geldings that brought $13,500, $8,800, and $7,000 respectively. Averages show a strong market for good horses as the top ten averaged $12,215, top 20 brought $9,552;, to 50 at $6,635, and the top 100 averaged $4,873. The BLS loose horse market continues to set the pace for the nation, where 303 head of horses were offered as is, where is, how is – with 41 head bringing $1,000 or better, with the top five at $3,200, $3,150, $2,850, $2,350, and $2,250. Loose averages include the top five at $2,760; top ten at $2,370; top 20 at $1,535; and the top 100 averaged $1,095. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the Summer Special Catalog Sale on June 24. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or call Jann Parker 406.855.1947
SALE REPORT APRIL 22, 2017 The Roping Business Showcased by rope horses, Billings Livestock's “April Special Catalog Sale’ April 22 had a lot to offer and a lot to talk about . A jackpot team roping open to sale horses launched the weekend as 141 teams competed in a two go-around plus finals roping Friday afternoon at the HorsePalace Arena. Hips 88 “Cee Lena Swing” offered and ridden by Jason Thorstenson, Rapid City, SD and Hip 208 “Tivs Jimie Jess” consigned by Donald Jamvrin and shown by Paul Griemsman, Piedmont, SD took home the first place paycheck. April’s statistics include 518 head of horses, 361 individuals registered to buy, and horses selling to 20 states and Canada. The top five sale horses - every one a rope horse - averaged $16,500, and included three six-year-olds and two nine-year-olds. Every horse on the BLS Top 20 listing was a gelding with the top 20 averaging $12,905. Top sale honors to Hip 57 “Mambos Major Whiz” a 2011 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Mambos Whiz offered by Bar Diamond Quality Performance Horses, Ross, ND and purchased for $19,500 by Craig Dane, Wolfforth, TX. Ready made and Ridden at World Series ropings, the hauled and won on head horse was solid in the box, strong across the line, had a big move and a snappy face, and had also been heeled on. Stout, handsome, and safe, runnerup sale honors to Hip 136 “Sandhilz Cowboy” a 2011 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Two Buck Buller x Two Eyed Red Buck offered by Shane Johnson, New Town, ND. Scores, runs, rates, and was easy to handle cattle on, the extremely gentle fellow brought $16,700 and sold to Curt and Patty Epler, Cheyenne, WY. Truly a sale highlight, Hip 201 “Chip Sage” a 2008 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding x Mr Red Rim owned by Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT was the whole roping package. Hauled, won on, both ends, the eye-catching gelding brought $16,000 and sold to Bo James, Alexander, ND. They had won over $25,000 in the past 24 months aboard Hip 93 “Dunn” a 2003 Grade Dun Gelding offered by Scott Peterson, Belle Fourche, SD. Hauled to Wrangler Ropings, High School Rodeos, SDRA rodeos, the rock-solid head horse sold to Cory Epperson, Camas, WA for $14,500. There was one for every budget, and good horses saw good demand as the top 100 horses averaged $6,984. Complete sale averages include the top five at $16,580; top ten brought $15,440; Top 20 averaged $12,905; top 50 at $9,732; and the top 100 brought $6,984. Processing horses bumped up to a high of .52/lb with prospects again fueling the market. The day’s high selling loose horse brought $2,800 with 31 head bringing $1,000 or better. Loose averages include the top five at $2,500; top 10 at $2,220; top 20 brought $1,897; top 50 averaged $1,326; top 100 brought $925. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for May 27 and will feature the annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale in addition to the “Best of the Remuda” Ranch horse competition. Featured in May will be Ranch geldings along with kid’s ponies and horses. Ranch Horse competition is set for 3 p.m. Friday, May 26 at the HorsePalace Arena. For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Manager at 406.855.1947 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT MARCH 25, 2017 Mountains to the Plains Drafts, draft crosses, mules, and user friendly horses highlighted Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 25. The 19th annual March event at BLS featured trail, outfitting, guide, and guest horses. A strong market prevailed in all classes as a one-day total of 483 head were bought and sold with only 18 no sales or passouts. 207 head of cataloged horses and mules sold grade or unregistered and averaged $10,100 on the top five. Top 20 averaged $7,752 and included 13 grade horses or mules. Big, pretty, and gentle, Hip 82 “WT Hancock Ace” a 2003 APHA Black and White Tobiano Gelding offered by Houck Horse Co., North Branch, MN claimed the day’s top sale honors with a final bid of $20,000. Ranch horse, trail horse, and family horse, the fancy gelding sold to Sharon Walton, Cave Creek, AZ. Ervin Miller, Forsyth, MT offered Hip 49 “Nugget” a 2006 Grade Palomino Gelding that came broke and gentle. Ridden in the hills, ranched on, and capably shown by Ervin’s three young daughters, the quiet using gelding brought $18,500. In the mule department, the high selling mule was offered by reputation outfitters, Scott and Sandy Sallee, Black Mountain Outfitters, Emigrant, MT and Hip 158 “Bourbon” a 2008 Grade Sorrel John Mule came easy to catch, ridden in the moutnains, and had led the string. Picket broke, the mule had also been packed, and brought $7,000. A first-class offering of teams, both mules and horses, complimented the sale, with the top selling team bringing $9,000. Offered by West Fork Ranch, Sheffield, IA, the paint team of Hips 37 and 38, “Sugar Mac Blue” and “Copy Apache Blue”, both 2005 APHA Black Tobiano Geldings sired by Thundering Hoofs, had done it all from weddings, funerals, family reunions, farm equipment, stood 16.1 hands and weighted $1,350. Traffic broke, the good team sold to Jim Dacar, Belle Fourche, SD. Hips 140 and 140 X, the team of Butch and Sundance, four-year-old half draft geldings offered by Justin Sharp, Heber, UT, had been used to feed, sleigh rides, and came gentle and ready to go to work. The team brought $6,600 and sold to Yellowtone Forever, Yellowstone National Park, MT and WY. From the first horse to the last horse, the market was rock solid, in all classes, kinds, and disciplines. Sale averages include the top five at $13,390; top ten at $10,060, top 50 brought $5,636, and the top 100 averaged $4,485. Loose horses gained ground and were again pushed by the riding prospects where the top horses brought $3,000, $2,100, $2,100, $1,850, and $1,750 – top five average $2,160; Top ten at $1,675, top 20 brought $1,282, top 50 at $907, and the top 100 averaged $667. Processing horses brought a high of 45 cents. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April Show ‘em and shop ‘em, lots of cattle, lots of opportunities to watch the rope horses, including the professionally produced sale horse jackpot team roping set for Friday, April 21. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or contact Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Manager at 406-855-1947.
SALE REPORT FEBRUARY 24, 25 & 26, 2017 The Perfect Rides A rockstar set of horses headlined Billings Livestock's February 24-25-26 "February Special Catalog Sale" where the top sale horse brought $44,000. The three-day sale weekend welcomed 582 head of horses, 598 registered buyers from 22 states and Canada, with 190 actually making a horse purchase. Part of the weekend’s special “Sons and Daughters” sale offering , Hip 395 “Streakin Ta Houston” a 2010 AQHA Bay Gelding sired by A Streak Of Fling and out of Dash Ta Houston x Dash Ta Fame earned top sale honors. Offered by Levi O’Keefe, Torrington, WY, the finished head horse wore the Fulton Ranch brand, showed well in the previews both roping and on barrels, had been hauled to USTRC, Wrangler Ropings, came nicely started on barrels and sold to Karla Hansen, Fort Collins, CO. Fancy, buckskin, and gentle, Hip 256 “Rockin Y our Glass” a 2008 AQHA Buckskin Gelding by Rockin Doc Frost was offered by Blake Kruger, Long Lake, MN. A one-of-a-kind gelding, he had seen the trails, been roped on, sorted cattle, stood 15 hands, and sold to Mike Ingram, Scottsdale, AZ for $30,000. Sired by High Brow Cat - sire of over $74 million and Cutting’s number one all-time sire – Hip 290 “Cats Emoji” a 2015 AQHA Sorrel Stud Colt was out Badgers Playdough, an $80,000 money earner herself and producer of over $150,000 in money earners to date, was offered by Alan Chappell, Collinsville, TX. The first-class prospect brought $28,000 and sold to Matt Clark, Afton, WY. Proven arena performers had their day where good rope horses made news including Hip 321 “Looken Stylish” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Sstylish Rey offered by Chelsea Brown, Big Sandy, MT. Purchased by Keesie Kothman, Mason, TX the special gelding had been hauled and won on by PRCA circuit qualifiers on both ends in addition to a solid ranching background. The solid rope horse brought $20,000. Genetics shined as Hip 356 “Montana Easy Move” a 1998 AQHA Bay Stallion x Doc O Dynamite and out of Easy April Bar – the mother of over $200,000 in barrel racing earnings including NFR appearances – brought $20,000 and was offered by Jeff Gorrell, Beach, ND. Barrels, poles, and a top-shelf head horse, Hip 280 “Kitachex” a 2008 AQHA Chestnut Gelding x Colonel Doc Bar Chex and out of a daughter of I’ll Be Smart was offered by Gina Welch, Silesia, MT. Shown in the performance preview, the four event gelding brought $19,000 and sold to Rachel Campbell, Bozeman, MT. Sale averages prove the quality where the top five averaged $28,400, top ten at $23,300, top 20 at $18,835, top 50 brought $13,825, and the top 100 averaged $10,335. Loose horse market set a record price paid for a BLS loose horse - $3,900 – selling as is, where is, how is, no speech, no rider, and 43 horses brought $1,000 or better selling loose. A bump in the loose market saw the prospects prosper pushing the averages to all-time highs – top five brought $2,990, top 10 at $2,605, top 20 averaged $2,165, top 50 at $1,596, and the top 100 averaged $1,130. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for March 25 with the “Spring Special Catalog Sale” - one big day of horses and mules and featuring the annual “Outfitters, Guest, Dude Ranch and Trail Horse” offering in addition to a special session of “Roans Only”. All classes of horses will sell, in addition to a big selection of mules. An indoor preview of the mules, barrel horses, cutters, saddle horses, and rope horses is scheduled for Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m. SALE REPORT JANUARY 28, 2017 Western Style An assorted mix of everything from tack to teams complimented Billings Livestock Commission’s January 28 “Winter Special Catalog Sale” and annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale”.. Billings Livestock welcomed 351 head of horses for the one-day sale event. Performance and honesty continue to pack-a-punch in the gelding division as the top five selling horses sold “grade” - with no registration papers or verified pedigree - and sold with an average ticket price of $9,200. A one-of-a-kind team lead off the top seller’s listing as Hips 66 and 66X “Colonel and Major” a pair of friesian cross, full brothers, six and seven years old, broke to ride and drive, brought $16,000. Offered by Wowk Ranch, Inc, Beauvallon, Alberta, the special team had been used at the ranch, in horse shows, driven in town, hauled round bales, drove like a carriage team, and sold to Tanya Ballensky, Billings, MT He sold on his ability, disposition, and education, and Hip 55 “Rango” a 2008 Grade Gray gelding offered and used by Joe Fox, Hysham, MT had been ridden on the ranch, roped bulls, horses, loaded trucks, and was easy on the rider. The good-for-all-day gelding was purchased by John and Jeanne Mohr, Joliet, MT for $8,750. Quarter Circle 4 R Ranches, Cody, WY brought Hip 32 “Buttermilk” a 2009 Grade Buckskin Gelding that had seen lots of country, stood a compact 14 hands, came traffic safe and gentle, and brought $7,250. Dillon Corrington, Hastings, MN offered Hip 45 “Stick” a 2002 Grade Bay gelding that he had owned and ridden for the past six years. Been everywhere, seen everything, the finished ranch horse, pickup horse, had been used in parades, drug bulls, carried flags, been used as a therapy horse, doctored outside, trail ridden, too, and the big, strong, attractive gelding sold to Cher Barrett, Mount Ida, AR for $7,000. West Fork Ranch, Sheffield, IA brought a nice set of horses including Hip 62 “BMQ In the Black” a 2011 AQHA Black Gelding x BMQ Legacy. The user friendly, mulit-purpose gelding had ponied colts, been trail ridden, started on the hot heels, came very broke to ride, and sold to Julie Honsinger, Drexel, MO for $5,000. A solid sale from start to finish, in all classes and kinds, the top ten averaged $7,245, top 20 at $5,325, top 50 at $3,162, and the top 100 averaged $2,082. In the loose division, the prospects ran wild as the top selling loose horse brought $2,150 and 14 head brought $1,000 or better. Processing horses felt market pressure with the best horses bringing 30/35 cents/lb. Billings Livestock’s “February Catalog Sale” will feature an expanded three-day sale format February 24-25-26 with a complete performance preview of all catalog horses beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday at the HorsePalace Arena. In addition, the American Quarter Horse Association’s member services will be on site at BLS to personally assist with transfers, issues, and registrations. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT NOVEMBER 26, 2016 Unique & Talented Quite the collection of horses packed the November 26 sale offering at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Holiday Special Catalog Sale”. Highlighted by the second annual $1,000 added money "R CUSTOMERS ROCK" barrel race and team roping held Friday just prior to the sale preview. The "Customer Appreciation" event was open to all customers who had done business at BLS Horse Sales over the past 19 years. The event hosted 53 barrel racers with Becky Fuson earning the 1D Championship and $354. The top five selling horses included a Gypsy Vanner, a barrel horse, a rope horse, two fancy prospects, and averaged $10,260. A one-day total of 531 head of horses came to Billings with 25 no sales or pass outs. A one-of-a-kind guy claimed top sale honors with a $14,500 selling price, and Hip 159 “Turbo” a 2011 Grade Gypsy Vanner Gelding offered by West Fork Ranch, Sheffield, IA came gentle, kind, and safe. Shown in the previews, the special fellow was extremely broke, rode double, triple, came traffic broke and sensible and sold to Kristy Manschein, Oakdale, CA. Take a one-horse trailer to the rodeo and load Hip 140 and you came mounted and headed to the pay window on “Fame Flash” a 2002 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Mr Fancy Fame x Dash Ta Fame offered by Megan Burbridge, Elmwood, UT. A competitive 1D/2D barrel horse, the striking gelding also ran 20 second poles, had cashed checks in the breakaway roping and on the head side, and stood 15.2 hands and weighed 1,200. Truly talented and with solid manners, the gelding brought $11,000 and sold to Ryan Scott, Rock Springs, WY. Nice, nice and ready to go your direction, Hip 74 “Good Cookin” a 2011 AQHA Chestnut Gelding x Cookin Merada x Meradas Money Talks and out of a daughter of Haidas Little Pep was fancy colored and fancy riding. Gentle, shown at versatility shows, used as a turn back horse, and started roping the hot heels, the well-rounded gelding sold to Castle Mountain Ranch, Inc., White Sulphur Springs, MT for $9,500. Finished head and heel horse, shown in the pre-sale preview, and ready to load and go, Hip 83 “Silvertone Bar Three” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Gelding offered by Bernadette Zervas, Congress, AZ had also been shown in versatility competitions. The gelding brought $9,300 and sold to Troy and Kelli Tavegie, New Castle, WY. They had owned her for seven years, won thousands both heading and heeling, ranched on her, ridden in the mountains, and Hip 144 “Peppys Lil Catt” a 2008 AQHA Brown Mare by Sophisticated Catt and out of Precious Lil Pappy was the business. Offered by Scott Hulme, Downey, ID the good mare was purchased by Scott Peterson, Belle Fourche, SD for $7,000. Adam Noll, Louisburg, KS consigned Hip 85 “Donald” a 2009 Grade Sorrel John Mule that came gentle, ridden in rough terrain, stood 15.3, and wouldn’t quit when the days got long. The big, gentle giant brought $4,300. Complete sale averages include the top 5 at $10,260; top ten at $8,185; top 20 at $6,492; top 50 brought $4,469; and the top 100 averaged $3,146. Loose horses saw an active market pushed by the riding prospects as the top five loose averaged $2,220; top ten at $1,815; Top 20 brought $1,380; top 50 at $936; and the top 100 averaged $687. Get set for one big day of horses, tack, and more horses on Saturday, January 28 as Billings Livestock kicks off the New Year with the “Winter Special Catalog Horse Sale” and annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” offering used and collectible tack. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT OCTOBER 29, 2016 On A High Note Keen, colored, and educated, the demand for solid geldings continued at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale October 29. The one-day sale saw 778 head of horses offered with horses originating from 16 states and Canada and selling across the map to 20 states and Canada. The top selling horse came straight off a day’s work and Hip 58 “Cochise“ a 2008 Grade Black and White Paint Gelding was gentle, safe, and kind. Used for every job on the ranch, the fancy fellow was offered by McNabb Livestock, Cody, Wy and sold for $27,000 to Catharine Peterson, Lexington, KY. Billings Livestock was proud to offer seven head from the program of NFR Qualifier Dean Tuftin, DT Horses, Bend, OR, home of “Shiners Lena Chex” by Shining Spark, sire of AQHA World Champions including the 2015 World Champion Junior Tie Down Roping horse and 2015 World Champion Junior Heeling horse. Reserve sale honors at $10,000 to Hip 76 “DT Home Run Homerun” a 2012 AQHA Bay gelding x Lena Docs Diamond x Shiners Lena Doc raised, trained, and offered by DT Horses. Purchased by Roger Kleeman, Billings, MT the big, solid, gelding showed outstanding in the rope horse preview on the head side, and came gentle and handsome. Another young gelding that showed big time stuff in the roping preview, Hip 111 “MDP Baxtons Seeker” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Mr Bueno Seeker x Poco Bueno 2 was offered by Kevin and Ashlee Jaeger, Newell, SD and shown both heading and heeling by Paul Griemsman. The stand-up gelding brought $7,500 and sold to Shawn Jenkins, McCook, NE. A very nice two-year-old stud colt, Hip 195 “Money Is My Choice” a 2014 AQHA Bay Roan Colt x Laredos Lynx x Laredo Blue was offered by West Fork Ranch, Sheffield, IA and purchased by Jimmy Beaty, Okeechobee, FL. Flashy, fancy, and athletic, the special two-year-old brought $7,500. Offered by the ranch that raised her, Hip 134 “Boons French Streak” a 2013 Red Roan Mare x French Streaktovegas x A Streak Of Fling was consigned by Jody Smith, Miles City, MT. Well started, the barrel horse prospect brought $7,300. Overall sale averages include the top five at $11,860, top ten at $9,270, Top 20 at $7,152, top 50 brought $4,966, and top 100 averaged $3,624. Riding prospects dominated the loose offering where a new record was set in the loose division as the top horse of the day brought $4,600 - no speech, no rider, no guarantees. Loose market saw top five average $2,720, top ten at $2,265, top 20 at $1,832, top 50 brought $1,297, and the top 100 averaged $967. Billings Livestock's next sale event is set for November 26 and will include an indoor preview of cutters, ride horses, and rope horses on Friday, November 25 at the HorsePalace Arena. As part of the Holiday Sale weekend, a $1,000 added money barrel racing and $1,000 added money team roping exclusively for Billings Livestock customers “R Customers Rock” will kick off Friday’s events. For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales at 406-855-1947 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT SEPTEMBER 24 & 25, 2016 Gotta-Go-Rope Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” September 23-25 welcomed a stellar selection of horses where “Rope Horses” took center stage and the top five averaged $20,000. Head, heel, or breakaway, the rope horses previewed Friday afternoon in Billings Livestock’s sale horse jackpot hosted by the HorsePalace Arena where 129 teams put on a show - it was two complete go-arounds and a top 12 finals - and one big-time in Billings, Montana. Produced by Wrangler Team Roping Championship’s Dennis Tryan, the professional display of rope horses blasted off the three-day, 82nd anniversary celebration at Billings Livestock including the grand opening of a new, 36 stall horse barn. “Rope Horses” claimed 14 positions in the BLS Top Twenty Sellers listing - bearing an average ticket price of $13,160, and overall 82 rope horses averaged $5,881. Young and talented, Hip 255 “Gunner Echo” a 2010 AQHA Gray Gelding x Mr Play Holly x Playgun and out of a Major Bonanza bred dam took home top sale honors with a $24,000 sale price. Offered by “Get R Done Horse Training” Barrhead, Alberta, shown by Trey Gallais and earning a third place average check in the jackpot, the gelding was previewed heading, heeling, tie-down, and breakaway roping. Kind and willing, the deluxe gelding sold to Shane Johnson, New Town, ND. He showed outstanding in the barrel racing demonstration, and Hip 147 “Bully At The Bar” a 2010 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding x Platinum Bully x Bully Bullion earned reserve sale honors with a $20,000 sale price. Consigned by Schmitt Horse Ranch, and shown by Riley Schmitt, the gelding ran 1D/2D times, came extremely broke, started on the hot heels, and paid into Future Fortunes, Pitzer Ranch, Ericson, NE purchased the quality gelding. Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT offered Hip 231 “Jae Bar Smart Mister” a 2004 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Smart Little Mister and out of a daughter of Doc’s Jack Sprat that had been hauled and won on heeling. He won sixth in the average, came gentle, seasoned, and safe - brought $19,000 and sold to James Sandy, Claresholm, Alberta. Solid, solid, solid - from top to bottom - the top five horses averaged $20,000 with the top ten at $16,970 top 20 averaged $13,375, top 50 brought $9,682 and the top 100 averaged $7,144. Again, the younger, plainer, less experienced horses continue to see lessened demand while the better, overall quality individuals continue to see increased demand. Loose horses rocked it as the top processing horse brought 58 cents and the prospects shined with the top five averaging $1,850, top ten at $1,695; top 20 at $1,405, top 50 at $1,055, and top 100 averaging $867. Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” is set for October 28-29 offering an indoor, climate and ground controlled preview for the barrel horses, cutters, saddle and ride horses, calf horses, and team roping horses set for 3 p.m. on Friday, October 28 at the HorsePalace Arena. For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Manager at 406-855-1947 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT AUGUST 27, 2016 Run, Baby, Run Performance horses - with a push on barrel and speed bred horses - flavored Billings Livestock’s “August Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale August 27. All in one day, all in one place, Billings saw 600 head of horses with the top five averaging $10,960. Friday night’s UBRC “It’s All About You” approved barrel race kicked it all off with 78 runs including nine sale horses. At the top of the high seller’s list was Hip 18 “Moon” a 2010 Grade Paint Gelding offered by Jerry White, Timber Lake, SD and shown by eight-year-old cowboy Gavin White. Solid and tolerant, the good gelding brought $16,000 and sold to Larry and Vickie Hanft, Dayton, WY. He had it all going on – color, pedigree, disposition, and talent – and Hip 74 “Crown Shake Em” a 2009 AQHA Buckskin Gelding x CrownRoyal Frenchman x Frenchman’s Guy and out of a daughter of Royal Shake Em came consigned by Kurt Knudson, Iowa Falls, IA. Ridden in the barrel race and shown in the previews by Riley Schmitt, the extra-nice gelding had been hauled and stayed quiet. Kristopher Molle, Chauvin, Alberta, purchased the gelding for $11,000. Quarter and half drafts continue a big presence as three made the top 20 list with an average sale price of $5,200. Sired by the Fulton Ranch Sire, “CS Flashlight”, Hip 150 “BS Royal Jewel Flash” a 2009 AQHA Gray Gelding was out of a Streakin Six bred dam and was offered by Julie Voigt, Buelah, ND. Big, strong, and attractive, the well-bred, balanced gelding brought $11,000. Jess Koubek, Thedford, NE consigned Hip 8 “Pecos Orphan Riviera” a 2005 AQHA Chestnut Gelding x Pines Poco Eagle that came ranch ridden and was finished on the heel side. Gentle and broke, the gelding brought $5,400 and sold to Rob Vigoren, Laverkin, UT. With all classes offered, 80 horses brought between $4,650 and $1,600. Loose horses had a runaway as the top processing horse brought 58 cents and the prospects continue to see strong demand. On the loose, 25 head brought $1,000 or better, with the top loose horse selling for $2,700. Top five on the loose averaged $2,130, top ten at $1,795; Top 20 brought $1,493; top 50 at $1,147 and the top 100 averaged $918. Overall sale averages include the top five at $10,960; top ten at $8,625; Top 20 at $6,842; top 50 brought $4,817; and the top 100 averaged $3,471. Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 23-25 The big, fall sale event will headline “Rope Horses” with a team roping jackpot for sale horses only at 1 p.m. Friday, September 23. 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 Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-855-1947. SALE REPORT JULY 23, 2016 Summer’s Power Rides A better market for a better horse was the trend at Billings Livestock’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog Sale” July 23. The one day sale event featured cutters and cowhorses and offered sons and daughters of Metallic Cat, WR This Cats Smart, Zack T Wood, Smart Little Lena, Dual R Smokin, and Rockin W. Numbers for the big summer weekend in Billings included 525 head of horses, 301 individual registered buyers with 147 actually purchasing, and 39 no sales. Handy and handsome, Hip 118 “Wild Card Cat” a 2011 AQHA Chestnut Stallion Bred by the San Juan Ranch and offered by Mike Lyons, Polson, MT , the well mannered gentleman sold to Kent Blough, Wilsall, MT. She’d earned $11,900, came novice eligible, gentle, and perfect for the Amateur or non-pro rider, and Hip 64 “Catilda” a 2008 AQHA Sorrel Mare by WR This Cats Smart and out of Peppy Madonna x Peppy San Badger earned runnerup sale honors with a $15,700 bid. Owned and shown by Kathryn Terrell, Scottsdale, AZ the quality mare sold to Julio Arellano, Wellington, FL. An all-around nice gelding that had been shown in Stock Horse competitions, Hip 207 “Shorthanded Outfit” a 2007 AQHA Sorrel Gelding by Solid Sugarbar by Colonel Freckles and out of a Tee Cross bred dam was gentle, attractive, and had been used in all aspects of ranch work. Offered by JC Performance Horses, Kuna, ID, the kind, willing gelding brought $9,700 and sold to Paul Schultes, Howes, SD. Hip 68 “RW Dots” a 2014 AQHA Palomino Gelding by Rockin W and out of Daisy Dots x Quejanaisalena was one special two-year-old. Loaded with personality, the kind, gentle fellow showed on cattle in the preview, was offered by West Fork Ranch, Sheffield, IA and sold to Bert Bilby, Chadron, NE for $7,000. A horse for every price-point, 80 horses brought between $2,200 and $5,500. Complete sale averages include the top five at $12,780; Top ten at $10,775; top 20 average $8,727; Top 50 brought $6,113, and the top 100 averaged $4,405. Loose horses continue to see a strong market where the top end of the processing horses brought 50 cents and the riding prospects continue to shine as 24 head brought $1,000 or better. Top loose horse sold for $3,000, pushing the top 5 average to $2,320, top 10 at $1,980; Top 20 at $1,572; Top 50 at $1,122, and top 100 averaged $847. Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Catalog Sale August 27. UBRC barrel race with $300 added - open to all barrel racers - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday afternoon August 26 in the BLS Arena. Sale horses are encouraged to compete and enter with a $100 bonus awarded to the sale horse clocking the fastest time. To enter, consign or request a catalog, contact Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Manager at 406-855-1947or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT JUNE 25, 2016 The Barrel Racing Biz Ready to roll arena horses and better quality prospects shined at Billings Livestock’s June 25 “Summer Special Catalog Sale”. Top five horses averaged $12,060 and included two hauled and won on barrel horses, a rock solid head horse, and two fancy prospects. A one-day total of 681 head of horses were offered with 301 buyers registered and 159 purchasing horses. To the top of the high sellers listing she went and Hip 151 “Cash N Streak” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel Mare by a Streak of Fling and out of Cash N Dash by Texas High Dasher had been hauled extensively to college rodeos for the past four seasons and showed well in the preview. Offered by Judy Simonson, Loring, MT, shown by Buckshot Nelson, the mare had seen extensive ranch use, had been hauled as a hazing horse, brought $15,000 and sold to Jeff Poppe, LaGrande, OR. Same solid trip every time, Hip 176 “Play With Colonels” a 2007 AQHA Bay Gelding x Playguns Little Lena by Playgun was the real deal head horse. Score, run, rate, face, steer after steer - he was the business offered by Tyson Frank, Queen Creek, AZ and purchased by Vanek Cattle Service, Silesia, MT for $13,750. Candi Zion, Winifred, MT consigned Hip 67 “Sadies T Bird” a 2008 AQHA Dun Mare by Sadies Frosty Drift and out of Estrapde by On A High. Coming with 2D barrel futurity earnings, the mare had been used on the ranch, ridden on the Rocky Mountain Front, came started on poles, brought $12,700 and sold to Joe Murray, Oakdale, CA. Shown in the Friday team sorting competition, Hip 55 “Smarty Roayl Buck” a 2007 AQHA Red Roan Gelding sired by Poco Royal Smart and out of a Mr. Roan Hancock bred dam was owned by J & A Horse Ranch, Preston, MN. The full-made, fancy gelding sold to Dennis Stevens, Red Lodge, MT for $10,750. With 80 head bringing between $2,400 and $5,200, a something for everyone horse market prevailed at Billings Livestock. The top ten averaged $9,625, top 20 at $7,617, top 50 brought $5,557, and the top 100 averaged $4,186. Led by the riding prospects, the loose horse market was smoking hot where the top horse on the loose brought $2,900, followed by two head at $2,300, $2,250, and $2,200. As a result, loose averages climbed to some of the highest in BLS history where the top five averaged $2,390, top ten at $2,155, top 20 averaged $1,820, top 50 at $1,326, and the top 100 averaged $1,023. Already a solid lineup of first-class horses, the annual “Mid-Summer” Catalog Sale – featuring cutting and cowbred horses is next on the BLS agenda July 23. All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation. Designed to allow the sellers an opportunity to showcase their consignments and at the same time, giving the buyer an honest, professional opportunity to assess the horses, Friday’s special preview of cutting horses on cattle will begin at 5 p.m. in the BLS Arena. Saturday’s preview begins at 8:30 a.m. with another look at the cutters on cattle, followed by the saddle and ride horse demonstrations, with calf horses and team roping horses showing at 11 a.m. Catalog Sale Time is 12 Noon. Loose horses sell at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. 500 plus horses are expected. Billings Livestock is a federally licensed and bonded facility and offers all classes and kinds of horses. For more information, contact Jann Parker, BLS Sale Manager at 406-855-1947. www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT MAY 28, 2016 Geldings Go Big-Time Bonused by the “Best of the Remuda” Ranch Horse competition, Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” May 28 showcased the talents of the consignments and saw an active market fueled by better-end geldings. 19 of the top 20 selling horses were geldings with an average sale price of $9,920. A super set of 34 using horses competed in the judged ranch horse competition on Friday afternoon where Hips 178 “Number One Spot” offered by Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT and shown by Chad Turner and Hip 171 “Cajun Spoonful” offered by Parker Horse Company, Billings, MT and shown by Chelsea Brown split Championship honors. Hip 178 “Number One Spot” a 2009 AQHA Red Dun gelding sired by the NCHA Open Futurity Champion, Spots Hot, and out of a daughter of Doc N Willy, was the complete package - fancy, gentle, capably rope either end, or cut a cow - he did it all with style and finesse. The gelding topped the day’s offering with a $20,000 price tag, selling to Roger Kleeman, Billings, MT. Hip 171 “Cajun Spoonful” a 2010 AQHA Red Roan gelding sired by Hes A Peptospoonful and out of a $94,900 money earning daughter of Lenas Jewels Bars was also gentle, fancy, and showed outstanding. The extra-nice gelding brought $12,000. He had a lot to talk about and Hip 80 “Fancy Colt 44” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Gelding by Colonels Smoking Gun (Gunner) and out of Freckles Fancy Que x Freckes Fancy Twist came complete with NRHA earnings and a gentle disposition. Willing to please, the sharp dressed, talented young gelding was offered by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA, earned fifth spot in the Ranch Horse Competition, and sold to Michael Bennett, Tennessee Colony, TX for $17,000. Lyle Mitchell, Arvada, WY offered Hip 144 “Mr Pepsmoke Money” a 2004 AQHQA Gray Gelding sired by Mr Pepsmoke and out of a Jays Blue Bar bred dam. Tried and true, the gentle-everyday kinda guy had seen many, many ranch miles, came in fourth in the competition, brought $7,500, and sold to Battle Ax Ranch, Cowley, WY. Bred to be the special guy he was, Hip 123 “My Guns Dun It” a 2013 AQHA Palomino gelding sired by NRHA Hall of Fame and $6 Million dollar sire, Hollywood Dun It, and out of Red Berry Guns by Colonels Smoking Gun. With a ranching resume already, the attractive, gentle three-year-old was offered by Greg Goggins, Shepherd, MT and sold to Weller Ranch, Kadoka, SD for $13,000. Quarter-Drafts continue their popularity at Billings as Hip 152 “Silverado” a 2010 grade gray gelding consigned and shown by Jeff and Christina Tift, Banner, WY brought $7,000. The one-day sale offered 571 head of horses with 23 no sales and a top five average of $15,650, top ten at $12,565, top 20 averaged $9,920, top 50 at $7,178 and the top 100 averaged $5,270. Loose horses keep a push on the market as the top end of the processing horses brought 50 to 55 cents and the riding prospects ran wild - top loose horse brought $2,700 and 27 head brought $1,000 or better. Loose averages rock with the top five at $2,500, top ten at $2,235, top 20 averaged $1,821, top 50 at $1,245, and the top 100 averaged $924. The “Summer Special Catalog Sale” is next on the BLS sale schedule set for June 25 and will feature “Team Sorting” horses. All classes and types of horses will sell including rope horses, cutters, reiners, prospects, mares, stallions, and finished arena and using horses. BLS will host a team sorting, Friday, June 24 with one horse in each team being a sale horse. Cattle will be available to show the cutting horses and rope horses beginning at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Ride horse previews included. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT APRIL 23, 2016 ROPE-TASTIC A class collection of rope horses - 90 in all - came jackpot and rodeo ready for Billings Livestock Commission’s 18th annual “Rope Horse Special and April Special Catalog Sale” April 23. A packed pre-sale team roping jackpot held Friday afternoon at the Horse Palace Arena welcomed 147 teams in a 2 go round with top 12 finals format roping to showcase the sale horses. Rope horses brought from $2,500 to $25,500 depending on talent, condition, and disposition. With three separate opportunities to preview, the rope horses had it going on. The top ten rope horses averaged - every one of them entered in the jackpot - a nice $17,550. A pair of fancy gray geldings claimed the 2016 Spring Rope Horse Sale Championship posting a 21.24 on three head. Hip 60 “Fan Of A Colonel” a 2007 AQHA Gray Gelding by Bar Four Colonel consigned by Mosquito Creek Performance Horses, Nanton, Alberta and headed on by Trey Gallais and on the heel side, Hip 73 “Charlsies Cat” a 2005 AQHA Gray Gelding by Playgun and out of a daughter of High Brow Cat piloted by Jace Crabb, Mangum, OK. The pair of geldings brought $7,500 and $25,500 respectively. Finished arena horses and deluxe prospects rang the bell as the top five selling horses - a trail horse, three rope horses, and a barrel horse - averaged $22,100. Straight to the top he went and Hip 20 “Little Horn” a 2006 Grade Bay Draft-Cross gelding was as unique as he was big. The one-of-a-kind guy stood 16 hands and came solid broke, ridden by all ages, and was a finished trail and ranch horse offered by Jeff and Christina Tift, Banner, WY. Purchased by Michael Snyder, Colorado Springs, CO the gentle giant brought $29,000. Head or heel, Hip 78 “WC Dakota Driftn Rey” a 2009 AQHA Bay Gelding x Dakota Drift offered by Scott Peterson, Belle Fourche, SD and shown by John Peterson, was the rope horse business. Winning third spot in the jackpot on the head side, the real deal gelding had been to the Wrangler Finals, National Little Britches Finals, and could be ridden by anyone from seven to 70. Even tempered and gentle, the gelding brought $18,000 and sold to Terry Brown, Graham, WA. Jason Schafer, Broadus, MT brought a handsome and talented tie-down calf horse to Billings and Hip 200 “Texas Black Veil” a 2010 AQHA Black Gelding x Royal Texas Jasy was out of a Haidas Little Pep daughter. He showed it all in the previews, and the gelding with the big future brought $17,500 and sold to Chip Sisco, Greenough, MT. Hip 112 “Smartys Foxy Man” a 2006 AQHA Dun Gelding by Smart Little Scoot and out of a Justa Swinging Peppy daughter came with AQHA points in ranch sorting, $2,700 in NCHA earnings, and was a finished head and heel horse. Consigned and shown by Jason Hershberger, Litchfield Park, AZ the talented gelding sold to Pete Kyle, Amarillo, TX for $16,000. Barrel horses shined including Hip 150 “Flings Cashin Whiskey” a 2011 AQHA Gray Gelding x A Streak of Fling and out of a daughter of Paddys Irish Whiskey offered by Theresa Walter Sorlie, Billings, MT. The outstanding prospect came with a solid foundation, a big-time pedigree, and had been in good hands. He brought $19,500 and sold to Cindi Butler, Boulder, WY. Janet Erickson, Helena, MT offered a gelding that she had bred, raised, trained, and hauled, and Hip 104 “Ole Niblefoot” a 2007 AQHA Brown Gelding x Smart San Colonel had made many trips to the pay window. Handy, pleasant, and athletic, the willing gelding brought $13,000 and sold to Jason Crane, Montpelier, ID. With a one-day total of 555 head of horses the complete sale averages show the top five at $22,100; top ten at $19,350; Top 20 brought $16,375; Top 50 at $11,031, and the top 100 averaged $7,430. In the loose horse division the market has remained strong with the better processing horses holding the 50 cent market. Riding prospects pushed the loose market where 29 head brought $1,000 or better with no speech, no rider and as is, where is. The top five averaged $2,270, top ten at $1,942; top 20 brought $1648; top 50 at $1,179; and the top 100 averaged $864. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for May 28 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 3 p.m. Friday, May 27 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 406.855.1947 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT MARCH 26, 2016 THE GREAT OUTDOORS Mega mules, trail, pack, and hunting horses - a sportsman’s selection of the tried and true kind - filled Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 26. A one-day total of 529 head were offered which included six teams, 69 mules, and over 40 draft or draft cross bred consignments. The top five included a team, a draft cross mare, a grade rope horse, two AQHA geldings, and averaged $9,080. Mules made magic with the top two selling mules bringing $4,500 each. Big, strong, and gentle-by-nature, drafts of all kinds, full, half, and quarter - brought from $800 to $8,200, with the top five averaging a rippin‘ $6,300. The well matched team of Hips 155 and 155 X “Bonnie and Clyde” a pair of three and four-year-old grade, black, shire mares offered by Chris Weese, Farson, WY had been used to feed cows and horses, sleigh rides, and were started right. The attractive, gentle team brought $8,200 and sold to Herb Napier, Forsyth, MT. Hip 137 “Snippy” a 2008 Grade Percheron Cross Mare consigned by Guy and Kay Small, Pompeys Pillar, MT came gentle, ranch and trail ridden, and fancy broke to ride. The flashy, well mannered mare brought $7,900. He rode as good as he looked, and Hip 173 “Peppys PG Sundust” a 2010 AQHA Gray Gelding by Peppys Gay x Peponita and out of a daughter of Playgun earned top sale honors for March. Offered by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA, the better broke gelding came with reined cow horse training and had been hauled to weekend cuttings. Grapevine Ranch, Inc, Billings, MT purchased the special gelding for $10,700. Two mules brought a final bid of $4,500 each, and included Hip 189 “Willy” a ten-year-old Grade John Mule offered by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA and Hip 230 “Bobbie” and eight-year-old John Mule consigned by Clay Trollinger, Ten Sleep, WY.Both mules were well broke and gentle. The loose horse market raged on where an incredible propect market set new records - 35 horses brought over $1,000 on the loose, no rider, no speech, no guarantee, pushing the the top five average to $2,960, top ten averaged $2,530, top 20 brought $2,036, top 50 at $1,408, and the top 100 brought $1,035. Inclusive of all divisions - catalog horses, loose, and open consignment - complete sale averages show the top five at $9,080; top 10 at $7,710; Top 20 brought $6,345; Top 50 at $4,852; and the top 100 averaged $3,905. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 22-23 and will feature the 18th annual “Rope Horse Special” catalog sale, Show ‘em and shop ‘em, lots of cattle, lots of opportunities to watch the rope horses, including the professionally produced sale horse jackpot team roping set for Friday, April 22. In addition, Billings Livestock welcomes 3X PRCA World Champion Tee Woolman for a complimentary roping seminar just prior to the jackpot. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151. SALE REPORT FEBRUARY 27-28-29, 2016 From the first horse to the last, the sale dazzled with a quality offering in all disciplines, as over 800 individual buyers registered to purchase a weekend total of 872 horses. Welcomed by sunshine, blue skies, and 60 degrees and bonused by a full day of indoor, climate and ground controlled performance previews, the sale horses had opportunity to showcase their skills. The rippin’ set of horses set new sale records for BLS that included the top five average at $28,800, top ten brought $24,370, top 20 at $19,605; top 50 at $14,049; and top 100 averaged $10,480. Top sale honors to Hip 310 “Same Low Price” a 2008 AQHA Gray gelding x Mr Fancy Fame by Dash Ta Fame offered by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland , IA. The hauled and won on 1D/2D barrel horses was also a finished head horse, came broke, quiet, and gentle, and sold to repeat customers, Timothy and Tya Kraus, Ranier, WA for $34,000. Reserve sale honors with a $32,000 sale price to Hip 347 “Famous Yellow Rose” a 2011 AQHA Palomino mare by Dash Ta Fame offered by Jessie Domann, Gainesville , TX . Purchased by Charles Decher, Gelwein , IA , the BFA money earner was also a top 50 finalist at Fort Smith , extremely broke and solid on the pattern, and was legged up and ready to run. Justin and Ashley Michels, Cannon Falls, MN offered Hips 348 “Wimpys Just Smoking” a 2012 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Wimpys Little Step and out of a daughter of Grays Starlight and Hip 242 “Make It A Bud” a 2009 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Nic It In The Bud with $9,872 NRHA. The pair of finished reiners brought $27,000 and $26,000 respectively. Rope horses had their time to shine with the top two rope horses bringing $22,500 and $19,000 and included Hip 290 “Rawhide Roo Star” a 2011 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Roo Star offered by Parker Horse Company, Billings, MT and purchased by Casey Patterson, Clovis, CA and Hip 350 “Lyle” a 2005 Grade Sorrel Gelding consigned by Billy Brown, Joliet, MT and purchased by brian Okelberry, Goshen, UT. Loose horses saw a fantastic market as well, where the top loose horse of the day commanded $3,600 and the top five averaged $2,440, top ten at $2,040, top 20 at $1,735, top 50 brought $1,312, and top 100 averaged $991. Billings Livestock‘s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 26 offers one big day of horses and mules and features the annual “Outfitters, Guest, Dude Ranch and Trail Horse” offering in addition to a special session of “Roans Only”. All classes of horses will sell, in addition to a big selection of mules. An indoor preview of the mules, barrel horses, cutters, saddle horses, and rope horses is scheduled for Friday, March 25 at 3 p.m.
SALE REPORT JANUARY 23, 2016 The 2016 Billings Livestock horse sale season officially kicked off January 23 as BLS Horse Sales welcomed 378 head to the annual “Winter Special Catalog Sale” and “Cabin Fever Tack Sale”. Big, blue, and gentle, Hip 69 “Cruzin Dude Blue” a 2005 AQHA Blue Roan Gelding sired by Blue Dude Coulee and out of Coys Pretty Benear x King Coys Bonanza earned top sale honors with a $11,000 bid. Offered by Quarter Circle 4R Ranch Horses, Cody, WY the solid ranch gelding stood 16 hands and weighed 1200 lbs, saddled up quiet every time, and was good to rope and doctor on. The unique gelding sold to Dyke Kalanick, Fort Benton, MT. Working cowboy Joe Fox, Hysham, MT consigned Hip 71 “Ronan” a 2009 Grade Sorrel Gelding that had seen lots and lots of ranch miles. Ridden by Joe for two years on the Froze To Death Grazing District, the gentle, honest gelding had made plenty of big circles, brought $7,000 and sold to Mooncrest Ranch, Cody, WY. A pair of buckskin’s, both consigned by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA, claimed spots two and three where Hip 94 “Gingers Best Hank” a 2007 AQHA Gelding sired by Walkers Dora Jo x Tyrees Walker and out of Ms Libber Dee x Mr Baron Bell earned runnerup sale honors with a $7, 800 sale price and Hip 102 “MGBrockDocSkipaZana” a 2008 AQHA Gelding sired by Dry Docs Hilltop x Mr Forty Dry and out of a Blackburn bred mare brought $7,500. Sale averages remained strong as the top five averaged $7,460, top ten at $6,380, Top 20 brought $5,235, Top 50 at $3,672, and the top 100 - and that caught eight loose horses in the compiliation - averaged $2,631. The loose prospects were super strong where the top horse brought $2,150, and pushed the top five average to $1,800, top ten at $1,547, top 20 brought $1,238, top 50 at $875, and the top 100 averaged $680. Processing horses continue to hold their ground with the best horses bringing 45-50 cents/lb. Billings Livestock’s “February Catalog Sale” will feature an expanded three-day sale format February 26-27-28 with a complete performance preview of all catalog horses beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday at the HorsePalace Arena. In addition, the American Quarter Horse Association’s member services will be on site at BLS to personally assist with transfers, issues, and registrations. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT NOVEMBER 28, 2015 Good ‘N Gentle
SALE REPORT OCTOBER 24, 2015 An Upward Trend Strong demand continued for accredited performance horses and top-shelf ranch geldings at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” October 24. With a one-day total of 611 head of horses, the top twenty averaged $7,740 and included four grade geldings and a listing of registered horses sired by industry leaders including Smooth As A Cat, Thomas E Hughes, Woodbridge, and Frenchman’s Guy. Hip 29 “Red Neck” a 2007 Grade Red Roan gelding offered by McNabb Livestock, Cody, WY earned top sale honors with a final sale price of $20,000. Quiet, kind, and gentle, the attractive gentleman had been ranch raised and ridden, had seen miles of trailing of cattle, used in horsemanship clinics and sold to Janet Lange, Wentzville, MO,. Sired by NCHA Horse of The Year “Smooth As A Cat” and totally on her game, Hip 137 “Cats Missin Jewel” a 2008 AQHA Sorrel Mare was out of the $89,000 money earning mare My Jewels Missin by Lenas Jewels Bars. Offered by Tania Ugrin-Capabianca, Red Bluff, CA, and shown in the cutting previews by Will Nuttall, the solid, flashy, ready-to-go-show mare sold to Sheana Rambauer, Hamilton, MT for $17,200. Hip 211 “Frank Dun It” a 2007 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Freeway Frank and out of a Hollywood Dun It mare, came with a solid resume that included NRHA earnings, Ranch Pleasure accolades, and gave the Iowa State Cowgirl her winning competition run. Owned by the Westfork Ranch, Sheffield, IA, the special gelding brought $11,000. Originally bred by Carol Rose and sold at Billings Livestock as a weanling, Hip 164 “Soula Hula” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Soula Jule Star and out of a Genuine Doc daughter, was offered by Dave Collins, Melstone, MT. As pretty as they come and ridden miles upon miles of big, Montana ranch country, the superstar ranch hand brought $10,500. North Country Quarter Horses, Fred, Linda, and Grace Finke, Big Sandy, MT consigned 21 head of weanlings from their program with Hip 184 “LF Top Dog” a 2015 AQHA Gray Stallion x Kay Cross Cajun x Frenchmans Guy and out of a Dash For Perks dam topping the offering with a final bid of $3,600. The quality set of weanlings averaged $1,400. Overall sale averages include the top five at $13,860, top ten brought $10,520, top 20 at $7,740, top 50 at $5,236, and the top 100 averaged $3,836. Loose horses felt the seasonal shift as supply beat demand, however, prospects continued their hot streak as the top five loose averaged $2,300; top ten at $1,920; top 20 brought $1,608; top 50 at $1,126; and the top 100 averaged $762. Billings Livestock's next sale event is set for November 28 and will include an indoor preview of cutters, ride horses, and rope horses on Friday, November 27 at the HorsePalace Arena. As part of the Holiday Sale weekend, a $2,000 added money barrel racing and $2,000 added money team roping exclusively for Billings Livestock customers “R Customers Rock” will kick off Friday’s events. For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales at 406-855-1947or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT SEPTEMBER 25, 26 & 27, 2015 Talent-To-Go With 21 horses bringing $10,000 or better, Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” September 25-27 set new records and offered a “one-stop” shop for performance horses, prospects, and good geldings. The feature was “Rope Horses” and the sale stats include a weekend total of 892 head of horses, 77 pass outs or no sales, 453 registered buyers with 267 actually purchasing horses, 114 buying two or more head, and horses selling to 23 states and four Canadian provinces. The top five averaged $18,300 and included three standout rope horses, a gelding by Colonels Smoking Gun, and a seasoned cutting horse mare by High Brow Hickory. BLS was proud to welcome PRCA World Champion Team Roper, Tee Woolman, Llano, TX who conducted a well attended, informative, roping seminar prior to the sale horse jackpot Friday afternoon at the HorsePalace arena. The professional roping jackpot followed and saw 129 teams compete in a two-go-around and finals format where Hip 257 “Bueno Azure Te Rebel” consigned by Michael and Dana Smith, Raymond, Alberta and ridden by Jason Thorstenson on the head side, paired with Hip 268 “Snikle Fritz Peppy” offered by Siggins Horse Co., Coolidge, AZ and ridden by Lane Siggins on the heel side, laid down three steers in 22.75, took home first place paychecks, Gordy Alderson Trophy Bits, and Ropes from Rocky Mountain Rope Co. The horses brought $4,200 and $6,700 respectively. There was a horse for every budget and skill level, and good horses saw good demand as the top 100 horses averaged $7,613, and the 12 rope horses representing the top six in the jackpot, averaged $5,664. Stamped with quality, Hip 175 “One Gun Shiner” a 2009 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Colonels Smoking Gun and out of a daughter of Shining Spark took home top sale honors with a $25,000 sale price. Offered by Westfork Ranch, Sheffield, IA, the NRHA money earner was kind, honest, and seasoned, had been shown right up to sale day, and was purchased by Brianne Hawks, Norco, CA. Bringing $20,000, reserve sale honors to Hip 173 “Dry Golden Gun” a 2006 AQHA Buckskin Gelding x PG Golden Gun x Playgun and out of a Johnny Dry bred mother. Consigned by Schmitt Horse Ranch, the gelding had been hauled on the head side, ridden on the trails and ranch used, as well. The “ready-made” kind - arena horses to ranch horses to trail horses - carry the clout as buyers continue their quest for a finished product. NFR Qualifier Ty Erickson, Helena, MT offered Hip 124 “Map Flying Bar Drift” a 2002 AQHA Bay Gelding x Tallywood Do It x Tally Man that had been hauled heading, heeling, and hazing. With a couple of PRCA Circuit Finals qualifications on his resume, the seasoned gelding brought $13,200 and sold to Terry and Dawn Powlesland, Laurel, MT. Rope horses claimed 15 positions in the BLS Top Twenty Seller’s List, including four head offered by National Finals Rodeo qualifiers. Overall, the top ten averaged $15,545; Top 20 at $13,097; Top 50 brought $9,948; and the top 100 averaged $7,613. The fire was lit on the loose trade as the top loose horse of the day gathered $2,050 and a whopping prospect trade pushed the averages to $1,900 on the top five; Top ten at $1,642; To 20 brought $1,387; Top 50 at $1,033; and top 100 averaged $823. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for October 24 and will feature Performance Horses. A complete indoor preview of barrel horses, cutters, saddle/ride/reiners, and rope horses is set for Friday, October 23 at 3 p.m. . Read all about it at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT AUGUST 22, 2015 On Their Game Seasoned performance veterans and fashionably pedigreed young competitors were the products in demand August 22 at Billings Livestock’s “August Catalog Sale Event”. Performance horses - with a push on barrel and speed bred horses - flavored the weekend’s offering where the top five selling horses averaged $13,200 - and - included a grade gelding, a Frenchman’s Guy, High Brow CD, and a hauled and won on barrel horse. Friday night’s UBRC Showdown barrel race in the BLS Arena rocked with 76 runs including sale horses and welcomed reigning World Champion Barrel Racer, Fallon Taylor. Two horses claimed the high seller’s position with a $15,500 sales price, and included Hip 78 “Squirt” a 2006 Grade Bay Gelding consigned by three-year-old Jackson Langdeau, Rapid City, SD and Hip 156 “Wild Wanda 409” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Mare by Wild Thing DNA offered by Barry and Michelle Barnes, Lewiston, ID. Hip 78 “Squirt” was a very gentle kid’s ranch horse and had been Jackson’s personal ranch gelding and hauled to many playdays. Broke enough for adults to get work done on and gentle enough for kids, the quiet gentleman had also been breakaway and heeled on and sold to Ed Brainard, Belgrade, MT. Sharing the top spot was Hip 156 “Wild Wanda 409” a finished cutting mare with $31,370 in NCHA earnings with wins that included the Open Futurity and Open Derby at Big Sky Aged Event, and a finalist this past May at the NCHA Western National’s in Reno. The solid mare was purchased by Greg Burrington, Graham, WA. A big selection of better-end, reliable geldings all with “gentle” as the common denominator - continue to drive the overall market as traditional ranch geldings stay double solid. The top stock horse gelding brought $7,500. Shown in the previews and offered by Bill Pinz, Wyola, MT, Hip 21 “Boonsmals Bobby Chex” a 2006 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Chromesmal x Peptoboonsmal was a real ranch horse that had seen it all and was fancy enough to show or take to the team ropings. Sharon Norskog, Watford City, ND purchased the class gelding. Raised, shown, and consigned by RaeAnn Svedberg, Hardin, MT Hip 127 “Shotgun N Pep” a 2006 AQHA Sorrel Gelding by Sergeants Enterprise and out of Peppy Mahia had been used for every ranch chore, brandings, shown in ranch horse competitions, and could cover big country with ease. The extra broke gelding brought $6,900 and sold to Pitchfork Cattle, LLC, Big Timber, MT. Inclusive sale averages - from beginning to the end, from top to bottom - include the top five at $13,200, top ten came in at $10,180; top 20 averaged $7,767; top 50 brought $4,790; with the top 100 at $3,254. Loose horses maintain their market strength as the top loose prospects commanded $2,250 and $2,200 and made the top five average $1,930, top ten at $1,667, top 20 at $1,371, top 50 averaged $989, and top 100 at $764. Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 25-27. The big, fall sale event will headline “Rope Horses” with a team roping jackpot for sale horses only at 1 p.m. Friday, September 25. Billings Livestock will also welcome 3X PRCA World Champion Team Roper, Tee Woolman, Llano, TX for a complimentary roping seminar prior to the sale horse jackpot. 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. SALE REPORT JULY 25, 2015 All. Star. Rides. Winning genetics put performance pedigrees front and center at Billings Livestock’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog Sale” July 25. The one-day sale offered 764 head of horses, including 278 Cataloged horses selling to over 400 registered buyers with 178 actually purchasing livestock. Stallions lead the way as top sale honors and reserve sale honors were both claimed by stallions bringing $17,200 and $16,000, respectively. Red roan and ready-to-go, Hip 110 “KR Fantallicka” a 2013 AQHA Stallion sired by Metallic Cat and out Fancy Zack x Zack T Wood was raised by and offered by Krebs Ranch, Eldon and Louisa Krebs, Gordon, NE. Sired by Metallic Cat - NCHA Hall of Fame, NCHA Open Futurity Champion, earner of $637,000 and sire of over $4.2 million - the fancy two-year-old came with a big future and sold to Jimmy Kinnison, Yuma, CO. In addition to the top selling horse, Krebs Ranch offered 15 head from their select breeding program and included sons and daughters of High Brow Cat, Cats Moonshine, Horseplayin, and Reys Dual Badger. Another standout from the Krebs program , Hip 205 “KR Shining Fancy” a 2012 AQHA Sorrel Filly sired by Cats Moonshine and out of the same mare as the day’s high selling horse - Fancy Zack, a $37,000 NCHA money earner and dam of five performers - the well bred filly was stout, broke, and ready-to-go. The handy mare sold for $10,750 to Julie Arellano, Wellington, FL. Reserve sale honors to Hip 152 “My Ticket To Fame” a 2009 AQHA Gray Stallion sired by Faming Perry x Dash Ta Fame and out of a daughter of Dream Fantasy. Purchased by Dusti Percival, Oxford, NE, the handsome gentleman brought $16,000. The top selling gelding was previewed and offered by Tom and Carmen Buckingham, Bruneau, ID and Hip 41 “Golden Sugar King” a 2007 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Kings Colonel Tari had been used to doctor, brand, gather, and came started on the head side roping. Also used at rodeos as a pick up horse, the gentle gelding brought $13,000 and sold to John Yocum, Athol, ID. An accelerated loose horse market, again lead by the prospects, continue their hot streak where the top five selling loose averaged $2,420 and - 30 head brought $1,000 or better - no rider, no speech, no footnotes. The top weigh up horses brought 38 to 45 cents per pound. Overall sale averages include the top five at $1,4240; Top ten at $11,785; Top 20 brought $9.685; Top 50 at $7,168 and the top 100 averaged $5,116. Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Catalog Sale August 22. UBRC barrel race with $300 added - open to all barrel racers - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday afternoon August 21 in the BLS Arena. Sale horses are encouraged to compete and enter with a $100 bonus awarded to the sale horse clocking the fastest time. To enter, consign or request a catalog, contact Bill or Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-855-1947or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT JUNE 27, 2015 Hot Summer Geldings An all-star cast of professional-grade geldings with resumes that included ranch, arena, or recreation work, claimed every spot on Billings Livestock‘s Top 20 Sellers list for the “Summer Special Catalog Sale“ June 27. That set of 20 geldings averaged $7,812. Straight to the top they went, and Hips 112 and 112X “Pete and Charlie“ a solid black percheron team of full brothers, bred, raised, and offered by Merry Teiken, Waubun, MN, had been used in parades, weddings, could pull wagons, discs, and full size winter sleds. The shiny seven and eight year old team was also broke to ride, brought $13,800 and sold to Megan Koltiska, Sheridan, WY. Runnerup sale honors to Hip 179 “Some Kinda TR” a 2011 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x TR Dual Rey and out of the $380,000 money earner and NCHA Open Futurity Champion mare, Some Kinda Memories. Offered by West Fork Ranch, the solid, finished cutter brought $10,200. Robison Ranch and Rope Horses, Weatherford, TX offered Hip 185 “ThirdRateRomance” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Third Cutting that came extra broke and well started heading in the roping pen. The gentle gelding had seen plenty of ranch miles and sold to Tom O’Grady, White Owl, SD for $10,000. Ed Fryer, White Sulphur Springs, MT consigned Hip 96 “LF Dashing Doc Bar” a 2006 AQHA Bay Gelding x Frosty Sabre Glo and out of Dashing Lil Monkey. Quiet around cattle, handy around the corrals and alleys, pasture roped on, started colts, and made plenty of big circles in big country, the good ranch gelding brought $7,500 and sold to Kevin Campbell, Bondurant, WY. Talk about fancy, Hip 128 “Weavers Blue Poco” a 2008 AQHA Blue Roan Gelding x Poco Ima Doc was offered by Cliff Milliron, Polson, MT. Used for a bit of everything, he had seen mountain trails, gathered cattle, and was started in the arena roping and on barrels and was purchased by Ray Ellsworth Hill, Ennis, MT for $7,000. Sale statistics smoked it with 665 head of horses offered and an impressive set of sale averages: Top five averaged $10,250; Top ten at $8,960; Top 20 brought $7,812; Top 50 at $6,088, and top 100 averaged $4,577. The strength of the loose market continues as the top end of the processing horses brought 38 cents with a frenzy on the loose prospects as 44 head of horses brought $1,000 or better, lead off with $3,000, $2,675, and $2,550 on the top three. Top five loose averaged $2,485; top 10 brought $2,150; Top 20 at $1,818; top 50 came in at $1,402, and top 100 loose averaged an all-time high of $1,088. Billings Livestock’s “Mid Summer Special Catalog Sale” is next on the agenda July 25. Loose horses will sell at 8 a.m. with catalog sale time 12 Noon. A special preview of cutting horses on cattle will be featured on Friday evening. Contact Bill or Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406.855.1947 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT MAY 23, 2015 A super show of handy horses demonstrated their abilities in the annual “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition held Friday afternoon where Hip 79 “Haidas Cat Ichi” a 2006 AQHA Sorrel Gelding sired by Cat Ichi and out of a daughter of Haidas Little Pep took home Championship Honors. The top two selling horses of day - both shown in the ranch horse division and both carrying proven arena credentials - brought $20,500 and $19,500 respectively, the top five selling horses, all geldings, averaged $17,140. Spring in Big Sky Country saw 630 horses came to town for the Memorial Day weekend sale with 94% completed sales, 313 catalog horses, 302 on the loose, and 15 offered on the open consignment. Shown in the ranch horse competition and in the roping previews, Hip 239 “Magnum Mania” a 2006 AQHA Chestnut Gelding by Magnum Chic Dream x Smart Chic Olena was offered by Turner Performance Horses, LLC, East Helena, MT. The professional heel horse and stand out ranch gelding knew his job, did it well, brought $20,500 and sold to Shane and Jaimie Johnson, New Town, ND. Runnerup sale honors went to Hip 144 “SNW Heavenly Jaz” a 2002 AQHA Red Roan Gelding x Ima Bit Of Heaven consigned by Jessica Krueger, Kalispell, MT. A 1D barrel horse, the strawberry roan was also shown in the competition and the handsome, multi disciplined gelding brought $19,500. A standout individual, owned since a weanling by the consignor, Hip 93 “Wrangler 499” a 2006 AQHA Buckskin Gelding sired by Milky Way 499 and out of a Two Eyed Fox/Doc’s Lynx bred dam was owned and shown by Dan Levine, Wolf Creek, MT. Used on the ranch, started in the arena, packed, too, the fancy, tailor-made gelding was purchased by Arnie Guimont, Mandaree, ND for $14,000. Solid, honest, and offered by the ranch who raised him, Hip 58 “Western Quincy Jo” a 2007 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding by Jo High Jinks offered by Bill Harris, Mosby, MT had been used in the Missouri Breaks an a working cow ranch. Roped on a lot outside, the easy traveling gelding brought $8,000 and sold to Cody Shaw, Buffalo, WY. An amped up loose trade kicked off the day where 28 horses brought a $1,000 bill or better and the top five sold for $3,600, $2,800, $2,350, $2,200, and $2,100. The strong, strong loose trade lead by the prospects produced high sale averages including the top five at $2,610; top ten at $2,275; Top 20 at $1,906; top 50 averaged $1,555; and top 100 - that’s one-third of the loose session - averaged $604 a head. Catalog sale averages also reflect an improved market where the top ten averaged $14,095; top 20 at $11,145; top 50 brought $7,534 and the top 100 averaged $5,212. Billings Livestock’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” is next on the agenda set for June 27. Loose horses will sell at 8 a.m. with catalog sale time 12 Noon. SALE REPORT APRIL 25 & 26, 2015 HAPPY-GO-ROPPIN' Rope horses found their fame and fortune at Billings Livestock’s “April Special Catalog Sale” April 24-25-26. Finished or prospects, the focus was on the rope and arena horses and oh, how they shined. The leader of the pack brought $27,000 and the top five averaged $18,600. A weekend total of 687 head were offered, including 100 rope horses. It all started Friday afternoon with a well attended roping seminar instructed by PRCA World Champion Jhett Johnson and AQHA Judge and Trainer Justin Johnson. A supershow of rope horses rocked it in the sale horse jackpot as 132 teams knocked it out in a two-go around and finals format, and when it was all said and done, 2015 Spring Championship Honors went to Hips 204 "Pocos Peppy Lena" owned by Chelsea Brown, Big Sandy, MT and ridden by Paul Griemsman on the head side, and Hip 326 "Jackson" owned and shown by Jack Fletcher, Ames, IA on the backside. The horses brought $8,000 and $5,900 respectively. Head, heel, breakaway, ranch or just ride, Hip 140 “Just A Scatter Gun” a 2006 AQHA Bay gelding sired by PG Dry Fire was as good as good can get. Shown in the jackpot on the head side, the striking gelding had been hauled to all major ropings and had qualified for the 2015 World Series finale in the 12. Offered by Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT the ready-to-win gelding sold to Shane and Jamie Johnson, New Town, ND for $27,000. Reserve Sale Honors to Hip 157 “Mark of Dashinction” a 2003 AQHA Palomino Gelding sired by PC Frenchman’s Mark - a full brother to “Bozo” - and out of a producing daughter of Miss N Cash. Shown by MPRC Champion, Theresa Walter, the solid, 1D barrel horse brought $18,000 and sold to Meghan Gee, Great Falls, MT. Hip 146 “Oh Buck” a 2010 AQHA Buckskin Gelding by Two Eyed Snowbuck was a flashy, well on his way prospect offered by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA. SALE REPORT FOR MARCH 28, 2015 Occupation Recreation A mega-selection of recreational mules, quarter drafts, teams, trail and guest horses filled Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 28 The top twenty averaged $7,655 and included 13 grade horses or mules, and six draft or draft crosses. Many had seen the majestic sights of the west’s stellar National and State Parks, seen miles and miles of back country trails and awe inspiring wilderness and many had made their very first trip to town on that Saturday. Truly a unique set of livestock, 626 head in all, that included 57 mules, 30 drafts or quarter drafts, and six teams. Met by a ready-to-do-business crowd a mere six head were no-saled or passed out by the consignor, setting an all-time record for Billings Livestock . Hips 140 & 140X “King and Kody” a big, blue roan pair of Percheron Geldings, half brothers, six and seven years old, were truly a one-of-a-kind team standing 17.3 hands and weighing over a ton a piece. Used on all farm machinery, wagons, sleighs, and been hauled to county fair demonstrations, the beautiful pair claimed top sale honors with an $18,000 bid. Owned and shown in the previews by Brandon Kieson, Watford City, ND the dynamic duo sold to Tony Zeman, Bassett, NE. Reserve sale honors to Hip 110 “Free River No Smokn” a 2006 AQHA Buckskin Gelding x HR No Smoken Zone offered by Joe Fox, Hysham, MT. Gentle, handsome, and with a solid ranch resume, the striking gelding had worked for a living on the Froze To Death Grazing District and sold to Steve Griemsman, Worland, WY for $11,200. J & A Horse Ranch, Preston, MN consigned Hip 148 “Jack” a 2009 Grade Red Dun Gelding that was trained to lay down to mount, came gentle, kind, and would go where you pointed him. Ridden by beginners to the experienced, the special gelding brought $9,600 and sold to James Boles, Cody, WY. Black Mountain Outfitters, Scott and Sandy Sallee, Emigrant, MT brought 13 head of mules and horses that had been used in their Outfitting business hunting or for pack trips and included Hip 69 “Silk” a 2010 Grade Black Molly that had packed elk and been ridden in the mountains. The gentle mule brought $5,000 and sold to Randy Reed, Helena, MT. The 2013 Orvis Outfitter of the Year, Rocky Mountain Outfitters/RMO Horses, Heber City, UT offered an A-list set of trail horses and the team of Waylon and Willie, Hips 146 & 146X - 2000 and 2002 model Bay Draft Cross Geldings. Driven in parades the flashy team had been used daily on sleigh rides, could also be ridden, and brought $8,200. Strong sale averages include the top five at $11,260; Top ten at $9,420; top 20 brought $7,655; Top 50 at $5,698, and the top 100 averaged $4,429. Driven by worldwide demand and shortened supply, the processing horse market was on fire. The top 100 on the loose brought a full $100 more per head than one year ago. Top five on the loose averaged $1,730, followed by the top ten at $1,575, top 20 at $1,337, top 50 brought $1,019, and the top 100 averaged $836. Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 24-26 and will feature the annual spring “Rope Horse Special” catalog sale and regular monthly horse sale. Lots of cattle, lots of opportunities to watch the rope horses, including a jackpot team roping open only to sale horses set for Friday, April 24. PRCA World Champion Team Roper, Jhett Johnson, along with his brother, AQHA Judge and horse trainer, Justin Johnson will be on-site Friday, April 24 at 12 noon, prior to the jackpot, for an informal, free roping seminar which will touch on scoring, horse position, facing, stopping, and roping basics. Rope horses will show again in Saturday performance previews. All classes of horses will sell including mares, stallions, finished horses, prospects, and young stock. Cattle will also be available to show the cutting horses and calf horses. Catalog closing date is April 5, with a supplement printed for later entries. For more information, contact BLS Horse Sales at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com SALE REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 27, 28 & MARCH 1, 2015 Rockstar Rides All time sales records set at February Sale Event A hard-core selection of proven horses shared the stage with an outstanding selection of prospects as new sales records were set at Billings Livestock‘s “February Special Catalog Sale” February 27-28 & March 1. The three day, sale showcase saw record prices paid for quality horses in all disciplines, as a diversified set of performance horses including arena horses and solid using horses pushed the market to an all-time high as the top 50 horses averaged a whopping $14,128 and the top 100 head averaged $10,613. 43 head of horses brought $10,000 or more. 716 horses were offered with 62 pass outs. The top five sale leaders averaged $24,600 and include four tried and true performance horses, and one special prospect sired by industry leading sires including A Streak Of Fling, Zack T Wood, and Dash Ta Fame. In the top sale spot for February, Hip 364 “Streakers Surprise” a 2007 AQHA Blue Roan Mare sired by Brian and Lisa Fulton’s Million Dollar Barrel horse sire, A Steak of Fling and out of the Kitaman granddaughter Hey Follow Me brought $33,000. Offered by Ross and Casey Wagner, Park City, MT, the 1D barrel mare had also been heeled on and was patterned on the poles and sold to NFR barrel racer, Jane Melby, Burneyville, OK. Reserve sale honors to Hip 326 “Hickorys Sweet T” a 2009 AQHA Sorrel mare by Zack T Wood and out of the Doc’s Hickory daughter, Hickory’s Sweetheart. She’d earned $33,837, made the Limited Amateur and Unlimited Amateur finals at the 2014 Super Stakes, made the finals at the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association’s Fall Classic/Challenge $100,000 Amateur, came ready to show with one more year of LAE and 5,000 eligibility, and sold to Bill Retterath, Center, ND for $26,000. With big things on the horizon, Hip 336 “Short Way Ta Fame” a 2014 AQHA Sorrel Stud Colt by the barrel horse industry’s number one sire - Dash Ta Fame - was all he was bred to be and more. The colt with charisma was out of Short Stop Sis by Shorty Lena, second dam by Grays Starlight, and was offered by Dennis and Holly Ginkens, Billings, MT and purchased by Clay Trollinger, Ten Sleep, WY for $24,000. Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT offered Hip 380 “First Class and Busy” a 2006 AQHA Black Gelding by SS Trickolena and out of a daughter of Tuf N Busy. The double fancy, hauled and won on head and heel horse came gentle and ranch ridden and sold to Korey Abbott, Duchesne, UT for $20,000. Records were also set in the loose session where the top horse selling as is, where is, how is - no rider, no catalog, no speech - brought $4,000, followed by $3,000, $2,600 and $2,050. Definitely fueled by the riding prospects, the loose averages are the highest recorded at Billings Livestock, where the top five brought $2,675, top 10 at $2,152, top 20 at $1,770, top 50 brought $1,273, and top 100 averaged $986. Billings Livestock‘s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 28 offers one big day of horses and mules and features the annual “Outfitters, Guest, Dude Ranch and Trail Horse” offering in addition to a special session of “Roans Only”. All classes of horses will sell, in addition to a big selection of mules. An indoor preview of the mules, barrel horses, cutters, saddle horses, and rope horses is scheduled for Friday, March 27 at 3 p.m. For more information, to consign or request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com
SALE REPORT FOR JANUARY 24, 2015 Xtreme Performance A “little bit of everything” peppered Billings Livestock Commission’s January 24 “Winter Special Catalog Sale” and “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” where a horse happy crowd had the opportunity to bid on everything from collectible tack to top-end using horses. Baited by a better weather weekend - officially, Billings Livestock welcomed 330 head of horses for the one-day sale event, where a mere eight head were no-saled or passed out by the consignor. Top January sale honors to Hip 87 "Oshoto Suprise" a 2007 AQHA Gray Gelding by San Badger Drift by PC Sun Socks offered by 11X NFR Qualifier, PRCA World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, Wayne Herman, Halliday, ND. The real deal ranch gelding brought $8,000 and sold to Clint Moore, Carnduff., Saskatchewan. Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA consigned Hip 77 “Hollywood Sandino” a 2006 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Little Sandino and out of a Smart Little Lena mare. A finished cutter that had been shown at ranch cuttings, the double-fancy gelding was gentle, fun to ride, and had seen ranch use, too. The handsome gelding sold to Angela Murray, Miles City, MT for $6,700. A youth rodeo dream, Hip 80 “FQHR Royal McKeag” a 1997 AQHA Blue Roan Gelding by McKeag was a hauled and won on barrel & pole horse, head horse, and heel horse. Ridden most recently by a youth rider, the gelding who loved his job had also been roped on by #1 to #5’s at WTRC’s and World Series Ropings. Respectful and good looking, the gelding brought $4,900 and sold to Carl Fowler, Lewistown, MT. A rock solid sale on rock solid horses where the top five averaged $6,660; Top 10 at $5,900, top 20 brought $5,150 top 50 averaged $3,830, and the top 100 brought $2,788. A bell-ringer loose horse business saw 168 head offered on the loose with a measurable upswing in the general loose horse market where across the board - that’s every loose horse offered, from big to little, as is, where is, how is - averaging right at $599 a head. Three big horse sale days complimented by an indoor, all inclusive preview of the sale horses, sets off the “February Special Catalog Sale” February 27-28 & March 1. Highlighted by a special, limited session of “Sons and Daughters” of Champions and Money Earners the February Sale is loaded with quality consignments. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com Sale Report for November 22 Quite the offering and quite the sale November 22 at Billings Livestock! Friday's performance preview let the consignments shine and Saturday's saddle & ride preview let buyers have one more look at them. The sale set new average records for November at BLS with the top horse bringing $18,000. All kinds, all levels, all disciplines have seen an uptick in demand and it showed in the averages which includes all classes - top five $10,960; top 20 at $7,365; top 50 at $5,322 and top 100 averaged $3,871; A one day total of 460 horses, and - the loose prospects were double strong as the high selling horse on the loose - no speech, no rider, no guarantee - brought $3,500. Make your plans to join us in 2015 - our first sale is January 24 followed by three big days of sales February 27-28 & March 1. It really is where to go to get 'em. Sale Report for October 25 Fall’s Power Rides Nice horses aplenty, Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” October 25 offered something for everyone. Made-to-order mares claimed four out of the top five selling positions and included name-brand pedigrees for performance - High Brow Cat, Frenchman’s Guy, Einsteins Revolution, and Im Chairman. The four mares plus one gelding rounded out the top five and averaged $10,640. Top Sale Honors were earned by Hip 82 “Diamondsinstarlight” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Im Chairman and out of a daughter of Sparkin Express. A total all-around package, already - the kind mare came gentle, willing,, and honest broke. Shown in the preview on cattle and roping, she had won the Wyoming State Finals in the mounted shooting this past summer. Offered by McNabb Livestock, Cody, WY, the multi-talented mare brought $12,500 and sold to Janet Lange, Quaker City, OH. A crackerjack head horse that stayed the same run after run, Hip 73 “SP Patch” a 2007 APHA Bay Tobiano gelding by Billy Terrific x Billy Shoe Shine and out of The Queen of Hearts was all that and more. He’d done it all outside on the ranch and he showed off his arena talent in the previews, and the double broke gelding was offered and shown by Chace Ellington, Rigby, ID. Jeff Stubblefield, McMinnville, TN purchased the take-you-to-the-pay window rope horse for $11,200. Hip 80 “Frenchman’s La Jolla” a 2013 AQHA Buckskin mare sired by the barrel horse industry’s number two sire of money earners, all ages, all divisions - Frenchman’s Guy - and out of Que Un Lajolla x Streakin La Jolla was offered by Doug and Bonnie Percival, Oxford, NE. The fancy filly brought $10,000 and sold to Ross and Casey Wagner, Park City, MT. Shown by J.R. Winter, Livingston, MT and owned by Lynn Dee Melvin, Clyde Park, MT Hip 204 “Einsteins Lil Doll” a 2010 AQHA Red Dun Mare x Einsteins Revolution and out of This Kids A Doll by The Great Kid sold for $9,000. A very nice gelding, Hip 25 “Whiskeys Concho” a 2008 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding by Smart Whiskey Doc and out of a daughter of Texas Stray was consigned by Scott Collingwood , Greybull, WY. Used as a pickup horse at rodeos and seen extensive outside ranch duties, the attractive and well educated gelding brought $7,700 and sold to Molly Murphee, Rawlins, WY. Solid in all kinds and classes, the super fall market ran parallel with spring markets and included the top ten average at $9,120; Top 20 brought $7,595; top 50 at $5,286; and the top 100 averaged $3,853. Loose horses reflected the increased fall supply versus moderate demand, and actual processing horses lost the ground that was gained in earlier months. However, the best weight up horses brought 40 cents/lb and the demand on the prospects ran full throttle. Top selling loose horse brought $1,900 with the top five averaging $1,600, top 10 at $1,500, top 20 brought $1,312, top 50 at $984, with the top 100 averaging $713. Billings Livestock’s final sale of 2014 is set for November 22 and will include an indoor preview on Friday, November 21 beginning at 3 p.m. Previews again on Saturday morning prior to sale time at Billings Livestock on November 22. For more information, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Manager, 406.245.4151 or visit www.billingslivestock.com Sale Report for September 26-27 Rope Your World A stellar offering of finished rope horses and prospects - good, better, best - led the way at Billings Livestock’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” September 26-28. Headlined by “Rope horses”, the sale saw big-time quality, all in one place, all in one weekend, with an all time record of 24 horses commanding $10,000 and up. The fall sale broke all previous September records in price per horse sold and quality of horses presented for sale. 790 head of horses were offered, including 477 catalog horses. Prospects, as well as finished horses, were in high demand, as horses were purchased by 236 individuals from 21 states and three Canadian provinces. Every one a rope horse, the top five averaged $15,900 , and the top 20 – including four grade horses – averaged a whopping $12,895, and proof of the caliber of horses offered, the top 100 averaged $7,664. Friday’s team roping jackpot on sale horses demonstrated their abilities with a pick one, draw two, two go-around format with a top 12 finals, allowing each horse to show a minimum of six times. The professionally produced jackpot saw 186 teams. Hip 101 “Sonita Lenas Zack” a 2003 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Sonitalena and out of a daughter of Zack T Wood was the weekend’s top selling horse at $19,000. Purchased by Robert Cross, Alexander, ND and offered by Turner Performance Horses, East Helena, MT the all-around gelding had been used on the ranch, hauled heading and heeling, and had been used as a turn back horse, in addition to being shown in ranch horse competitions. Reserve sale honors at $16,500 went to Hip 51 “Guy” a 2008 Grade Palomino Gelding offered by Billy Brown, Joliet, MT and shown by both Billy and Jacey Fortier. The finished head, heel, breakaway, and started barrel horse, had been hauled to jackpots from Arizona to Montana, ridden by various riders, he had never met a stranger, and was purchased by Marty Jorgensen, Belgrade, MT. A very nice calf horse that had been hauled to PRCA rodeos and ridden at the AMERICAN, Hip 269 “Lucky Poco Cisco” a 2005 AQHA Red Roan Gelding x Cisco Blunder was also a nice head horse and tripping horse. Owned and shown by Jason Schaffer, Broadus the first class gelding brought $15,000 and sold to Jim Brinkman, Ericson, NE. Rope calves or trip steers, Hip 250 “Circuit” a 2002 Grade Bay Gelding was Offered by 11X National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Brent Lewis, Eloy, AZ. Ridden at the National Circuit Finals steer roping, the gentle, five event gelding brought $11,000 and sold to Paul and Kate Montgomery, Worden, MT. Consigned by NFR Qualifier, Jake Stanley, Hermiston, OR, Hip 87 “Bazoo Boon” a 2007 AQHA Red Roan Gelding by Chromesmal was a finished heel horse that had also seen extensive outside ranch use. The pretty, talented gelding brought $10,000 and sold to Steve and Kim Temple, Marana, AZ. All in all, the sale blasted all previous fall records, from number one at $19,000 to number 100 at $4,000. Loose averages remain extremely strong, especially on the prospect side, as the top five averaged $1,620, top ten at $1,410, top 20 at $1,151, top 50 at $838 and top 100 brought $672 – compared to $534 just one year ago. Processing horses saw a high of 45 to 50 cents on 1100 lbs and up. Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” on October 25 is next on the schedule and includes an indoor, climate and ground controlled preview for the barrel horses, cutters, saddle and ride horses, calf horses, and team roping horses at 3 p.m. Friday, October 24. 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 Sale Report for August 23 Off To The Races From grade to designer pedigreed livestock, barrel horses were the business at Billings Livestock’s “August Special Catalog Sale” August 23. The one-day sale offered exactly 500 head of horses, three head of Zebu cattle, had 23 pass outs, and a top five sale average of $11,180. You could see them shine on Friday evening as the UBRC “Pistols and Crystals” tour stop barrel race presented by BLS hosted a grand total of 90 barrel runs in a 4D format. Both the 2D and 4D division championships were earned by sale horses - Hip 111 “Eye Am Famous” a 2009 AQHA Gray Gelding by Mr Eye Opener competently claimed the 2D title, while Hip 114 “Danger Kitty” a 2004 AQHA Sorrel Mare sired by With Honors took the top spot in the 4D. A standout prospect well on his way to big things, Hip 111 “Eye Am Famous” was piloted by Riley Hanson and consigned by Schmitt Horse Ranch, Holland, IA. By Mr Eye Opener, A Top All-Time Leading Sire of Money Earners of Nearly $26 Million, and out of a Dash Ta Fame daughter, he was bred to be special, came double broke and gentle, and brought $14,750. Consigned and ridden by Amber Alsterlund, Viola, ID, the 4D winner was out of a Streakin Six bred mare. Legged up and ready to run, “Danger Kitty” brought $3,900 and sold to Gloria Floren, Havre, MT. In the true prospect division, Hip 113 “Streakin N Blazin” a 2012 AQHA Sorrel Mare by Blazin Jetolena and out of Oh So Honest by Streakin La Jolla, second dam by Dash For Cash, was raised and offered by Glenda Cusker, Belgrade, MT and purchased by Nicole Love, Pelion, SC for $10,000. Game-on geldings, including Hip 48 “Crackerjack” a 2004 Grade Black Gelding offered and shown by Loretta Tyan, Brule, NE, continued to make the market. Standing 16 hands, ridden in the feed yard, roped and doctored on, the handy gelding was also a finished barrel horse that brought $6,200 from Lone Tree Ranch, Dayton, WY. Big news of the day was the loose horse session where the high selling loose horse - a riding prospect - brought $3,000. Overall sale averages include the top five at $11,180; top ten brought $8,660; Top 20 at $6,645; Top 50 at $4,273; and the top 100 averaged $2,869. With 277 head offered loose, the top five in that session averaged $1,825; top ten at $1,470; top 20 at $1,198; top 50 at $878; and the top 100 - over a third of the loose - averaged $667. Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 26-27-28. The big, fall sale event will headline “Rope Horses” with a team roping on sale horses is set for Friday, September 26. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com or contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151. Sale Report for July 26 All Shined Up A high performance offering headlined Billings Livestock’s “Mid Summer Special” Catalog Sale featuring cutting and cow bred horses July 26. The one-day sale event hosted 583 head of horses with 436 registered buyers from California to Pennsylvania. The top five averaged $16,150, with the top selling horse bringing $17,500. Offered by Reanna Kawalski, Calhan, CO, Hip 106 “Farra Rey Time” a 2009 AQHA Red Roan stallion by One Time Pepto and out of the $100,000 money earning daughter of Dual Rey, Farra Rey, had it all going on - color, pedigree, and performance. With both NRCHA and NCHA earnings, the handsome stallion showed well in the previews and sold to Central Texas Livestock. Reserve sale honors went to Hip 142 “Crazy Catlady” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Mare by Pat and Connie Fitzgerald’s Wild Haired Cat and out of Black Tie Queen x Smart Lil Ricochet. With $7,144 in NCHA earnings, the mare was a finalist at the Superstakes in April as well as “The Non-Pro” in June. Raised and offered by Kathleen Moore, Madill, OK, the attractive, ready-to-show mare brought $17,000 and sold to Nick Meagher, Antonito, CO. Offered by Pine and Samantha McQuay, Sulphur Springs, TX and previewed by eight- year-old Kerrigan McQuay, Hip 118 “Dulces Lucky Charm” a 2004 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Dulces Smart Lena was honest and true. Shown successfully in ranch horse competitions as well as the cutting pen, the gentle, kind, family gelding brought $16,000. Marvin Young, Myton, UT offered Hip 203 “RSPH Smart Gun” a 2008 AQHA gray Gelding by Playgun and out of Smart Little Fives, the dam of over $200,000 in performers. The standout gray gelding came with NRCHA earnings and was ready to go back to the show pen, ranch, or just ride. Misty Judd, Henefer, UT purchased the gelding for $13,750. Nice horses aplenty, the top ten averaged $13,765; top 20 at $11,280; top 50 brought $8,003; and the top 100 averaged $5,595. An accelerated loose horse market saw the top weigh up horses bring 48 to 50 cents per pound, while the prospects ran rampant with a top selling price of $2,500, followed by $1,850, $1,750, and $1,650. Top five on the loose averaged a smooth $1,850, top ten at $1,590, top 20 brought $1,346; top 50 at $1,008, and the top 100 selling with no speech, no rider, no footnotes, and no guarantees, brought $799. One year ago, the top 100 loose averaged $529 - that’s $280 per head more on 100 horses. Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Catalog Sale”, and “Montana Miniature and Pony Sale” August 23. UBRC barrel race with $300 added - open to all barrel racers - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday afternoon August 22 in the BLS Arena. Sale horses are encouraged to compete and enter with a $100 bonus awarded to the sale horse clocking the fastest time. 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 Sale Report for June 26 High On Summertime A ready to ride, saddle up and go show set of horses rocked it at Billings Livestock’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” June 28. The one-day mega-sale hosted 845 head of horses, including loose and catalog entries. The top five averaged $10,460. Sired by the 6666’s Ranch sire PG Gundpowder, he came gray in color, gentle, and arena ready and Hip 175 “Gunpowder Peppy Boy” a 2007 AQHA Gelding headed straight to the top of the high sellers list with a final bid of $13,500. Offered by Chace Elkington, Rigby, ID, the special gelding had won money on the heel side, tied down roping, and had already seen extensive outside ranch use. Chris and Billie Schaff, Worden, MT purchased the first-class gelding. Gray, grade, and an all-around good gelding, Hip 36 “Frostwood” a five-year-old owned and shown by Travis and Kate Johnson, Banner, WY earned reserve sale honors with a $11,000 sale price. A continuous commodity at BLS Horse Sales, rope horses command it month in and month out - why? Because we rope at every sale and consignors have the opportunity to showcase their livestock and buyers have the bonus of seeing what’s really offered. Hip 291 “Andylee” was the proof in the pen, and the 2002 APHA Black Overo Gelding x Diablos Impak had been hauled to junior rodeos, ran barrels, poles, and came dead solid on the head side. Offered and shown by Rodney Weeks, Scio, OR who had owned him since he was a yearling, the gentle, attractive gelding brought $9,700. Russell Kent an 87-year-old teamster from Waubun, MN, brought his good team “Topsy and Dany, Hips 125 and 125X, a pair of ten-year-old grade, black percherons - a mare and a gelding - that had pulled anything that had been hooked to them. Sleds, wagons, discs, plows, lead team or heel team, driven in parades, and used to break other teams, the rock solid pair of horses brought $9,400 and sold to Gary Koltiska, Sheridan, WY. Billings Livestock welcomed 24 head from Double Dollar Livestock, Greg Kesler, Holden UT including Hip 198 “Bartenders TK Roan” a 2004 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding x Rhinestone Bartender x Two ID Bartender. Shown in the rope horse preview, used on the ranch, and truly a stand-up gelding, he brought $7,000 and sold to Jeff Link, Billings, MT. A fun sale with wide variety of good horses, the sale averages show the top five at $10,460; top ten averaged $8,835; top 20 at $7,470; top 50 averaged $5,615; and the top 100 came in at $4,278. Loose horses held their ground where the top five prospects averaged $1,650, top ten at $1,445; top 20 brought $1,175; top 50 $853; and the top 100 averaged $667. Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be July 26. The annual “Mid-Summer” Catalog Sale – features cutting and cow bred horses. All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation. Designed to allow the sellers an opportunity to showcase their consignments and at the same time, giving the buyer an honest, professional opportunity to assess the horses, Friday’s special preview of cutting horses on cattle will begin at 5 p.m. in the BLS Arena. Saturday’s preview begins at 8:30 a.m. with another look at the cutters on cattle, followed by the saddle and ride horse demonstrations, with calf horses and team roping horses showing at 11 a.m. Catalog Sale Time is 12 Noon with loose horses selling at 8 a.m. 300 plus catalog horses are expected with a catalog closing date of Thursday, July 10. Billings Livestock is a federally licensed and bonded facility and offers all classes and kinds of horses. For more information, contact Bill or Jann Parker, BLS Sale Managers at 406-670-0773/406-855-1947. www.billingslivestock.com
Sale Report for May 24 The Talent Show A crackerjack collection of stock horses sporting solid skill sets shaped the market at Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale May 24. The one-day supersale offered 700 head of horses with the top sale horse bringing $11,000. Every horse on the BLS Top 20 Seller’s List was a gelding – and the top 20 averaged $7,567. Complimented by the “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition Friday afternoon, 50 head of horses demonstrated their aptitude in a judged competition where Hip 75 “Hersheys Bar” a 2010 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Sweet Lil Pepto earned the 2014 Championship Ranch Horse Title. Owned and shown by Jace Crabb, Mangum, OK the attractive gelding had seen extensive outside ranch use, would cut a cow, and had been headed and heeled on in the arena. Gentle everyday, the willing-to-please gentleman brought $9,700 and sold to Steve and Linda Hanson, Red Lodge, MT. Jace Crabb also owned the day’s top selling gelding, Hip 181 “Tootin Spoonful” a 2006 AQHA Red Roan Gelding x Hes A Peptospoonful and out of a daughter of Smart Little Lena. With NCHA earnings of $6,304, the finished cutter had seen big circles on the ranch as well as the branding fire. An all around good gelding that came gentle and solid minded, he brought $11,000 and sold to Jack Wipplinger, Roberts, MT. With a $10,000 sale price, Reserve Sale Honors went to Hip 80 “Dietz” a 2007 Grade Bay Gelding offered by Turner Performance Horses, Helena, MT. Capably shown in the ranch horse competition where he earned a sixth place finish, “Dietz” came laid back and easy going, with a resume that included heeling, breakaway, and calf roping. Bronco Mendenhall, Highland, UT purchased the multi-talented gelding. Hip 26 “Smokey Eddie Jack” a 2000 AQHA Grullo Gelding x Bar Dee Eddie Joe was a hauled and won on barrel gelding brought to town by Rodney and Julie Payne, Claremore, OK. Big, pretty, and knew his business, the rodeo-ready gelding brought $9,750 and sold to Tammy Bohlkey, Joshua, TX. |
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