Get set for  one big day of horses, tack, and more horses on Saturday, January 28 as Billings Livestock kicks of the New Year with the “Winter Special Catalog Horse Sale” and annual  “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” offering used and collectible tack.

Sale Report for October 29-30

It was all the way around and all the way through - in all classes, all divisions and all kinds - a stronger horse market prevailed at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” October 29-30.

With a high of $3,400 on a weanling stud colt , $8,000 on a rope horse prospect, and $7,800 on a take-you-to-the pay-window rodeo pony a motivated and energetic buyer base came to Billings, Montana.

Statistics tell the story - top five averaged $7,660, top ten $6,760; and the top 20 deep at $5,500 - with 949 total horses offered and 65 no-sales.

The weekend’s top sale honors were split between Hip 116 - an honest rope horse prospect - and Hip 185 - a finished reiner with NRHA earnings - both horses commanded a final bid of $8,000 each..

Echeta Performance Horses, LLC, Gillette, WY offered Hip 116 “LH Decathalon Tivio” a 2005 AQHA Buckskin Gelding by CM Sugarfrost Tivio and out of a Friendly Fritz/Docs Decathalon granddaughter.

The attractive gelding showed better than good in both the heading and heeling during the sale previews, had been hauled to some high school rodeos, and came with an outside education as a ranch horse - gathering, doctoring, and branding.

With $5,000 in NRHA earnings, Hip 185 “Dual Rey Olena Play” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Dual Rey and out of Little Nurse Lena x Doc O’Lena previewed flawlessly.

Offered by Sharon Gelhaus, Wilsall, MT the ready-to-go-show mare sold to Sandy Corriveau, Eckville, Alberta.

Her name fit her perfectly and oh, what a pony - Hip 146 “Fancy” a 1998 grade buckskin mare had raised three boys in the arena earning them buckles, confidence, and all-around titles.

The hard-to-find-kind, “Fancy” was offered by Bille Schaff, Worden, MT and sold for $7,800 to Curt Ackerman, Crawford, NE.

Full of substance and extra-pretty, too - Hip 150 “Irish Serendipity” a 2005 AQHA bay Mare x Paddys Irish Whiskey was out of Kempe Doc x Doc’s Hickory was consigned by Tony Wilson, Greenville, TX.

Selling in foal to Banjo Whiz, the mare brought $7,000 and sold to Valley Sian, Worden, MT.

Hip 184 “Whizs Painted Gun” a 2007 APHA Sorrel Tobiano Gelding x Colonels Smokingun was the first “Gunner” to be offered at BLS.

Owned and trained by Matt Wilson, Las Animas, CO, the finished reiner had been used all summer on the ranch moving cattle and came gentle and friendly.

The unique gelding brought $7,500.

Loose horses saw a bump in value over September figures as the top five averaged $930, top ten brought $770, top 20 averaged $658, top 50 came in at $509, and the top 100 averaged $405.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Holiday Special Catalog Sale” featuring performance horses - set for Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 26. The weekend will offer an indoor, climate controlled preview for all horses on Friday, November 25 at the HorsePalace Arena. All classes of horses will sell, including finished horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation. Cattle will be available to show the cow horses and rope horses. To consign or reserve your catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, Horse Sale Managers, at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

Sale Report for September 23-24-25

Billings, MT - With emphasis on rope horses - from ready-to-rodeo rides to prospects, a super-sized selection of horses headlined Billings Livestock Commission’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale September 23-25.

The September sale at BLS celebrated 77 years as “Montana’s Pioneer Market” and offered an expanded three day sale format that saw 1,203 head of horses come to town with sellers from 15 states and two Canadian provinces.

Saturday’s offering included a special “Retirement” offering from Jim and Dena Bower, Worland, WY, home of Lowry Star JR. A total of 57 head from their foundation program were offered.

Rope horses laid it out there Friday afternoon where 126 teams - all aboard sale horses - competed in a two-go-around and finals format “Sale Horse Jackpot“.

Winning the roping, taking home Gordy Alderson Trophy Bits, and nailing three steers with a total time of 22.15, Hip 425 “WR Mr Smokecloud” offered by Turner Performance Horses and ridden by Chad Turner combined forces with Hip 508 “Safari High” on the heel end.

The snappy little heel horse - a 2004 AQHA Red dun gelding by Sportin High Brow and out of a Little Safari Badger daughter was consigned by I.W. Ward, Crawford, TX and roped on in the jackpot by Sid Sporer, Cody, WY.

He also came complete with NCHA earnings and had won three saddles and a trailer so far this year and Debra Loendorf, Kersey, CO purchased the quality gelding for $8,500.

“Rope Horses” claimed 13 positions in the BLS Top Twenty Sellers listing - bearing an average ticket price of $6,886.

Rope, run barrels, or just ride around on a nice horse, Hip 362 “Hickory Tally” a 2004 AQHA Palomino Gelding offered by Ferlin Darnell, Pueblo, CO was the real deal.

The attractive head/heel horse combo showed outstanding in the previews and jackpot and brought $13,500, making him the weekend’s top sale horse.

JHG Land and Livestock, Palo Cedro, CA offered eight head of cowbred horses including Hip 344 “ Bugs Merada” a 2003 AQHA sorrel gelding x Meradas Money Talks and out of Lucky Baylite x Grays Starlight.

An extra-nice ranch and using horse that came double-gentle, “Bugs” had been used extensively as a turn-back horse and used at rodeos, ropings, and as a bridle horse.

The honest gelding brought $7,200 and sold to Morris Monias, LacLa Biche, Alberta.

Montana’s working class gelding market continued it’s stonghold as buyers came to gather “all business” geldings. Top five geldings averaged $8,840.

Hip 325 “Pryors Buckett” a 2004 AQHA Buckskin mare consigned by Lexy Burgduff Villegas, Casper, WY was a finished barrel horse by Pryors First Prize x Dash For Perks.

The good little mare brought $6,750 and sold to Donna Rankin, Dillon, MT.

Sale averages include the top five selling horses at $10,600, top 10 brought $8,795; top 20 at $7,072; top 50 averaged $5,168, while the top 100 brought $3,907.

Motivated by supply and demand, the loose market saw the top five bring $1,134; top ten at $964; tp 20 borught $791; top 50 averaged $571; and the top 100 brought $428.

Billings Livestock’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” is set for October 29-30 with two, big days of horse sales.

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 28 at the HorsePalace Arena, exit 437 on I-90.

Complete catalog will be available on-line Thursday, October 20 at www.billingslivestock.com or reserve your's now by calling 406-245-4151. 

Sale Report for August 27-28

From the ranch to the arena and all stops in between, experience paid dividends at Billings Livestock Commission’s “August Catalog Sale” August 27-28.

Performance horses - with a push on barrel and speed bred horses - flavored the weekend’s offering where the top five selling horses averaged $11,260 and proved that experience matters - the average age of a top five seller was 10 years plus - and included two 7-year-olds, a 15 year-old, a 14 year-old, and a ten year old.

A full sale weekend saw 903 head of horses come and go over the two days selling across the map with 243 people actually purchasing horses. with addresses in 14 states and Canada.

Leading the charge was Hip 186 “Okey Dokey Partner” a 2001 AQHA Bay gelding x Okey Dokey Dale and out of Teresas Partner x Extra Easy.

A big-time, money-winning gelding, “Okey” had set four arena records barrel racing in addition to accumulating cash on the track as a three year old.

Wearing the E2 brand, the professional level gelding was consigned by Mike Grewell, Joliet, MT and Jon Ottun, Ballantine, MT and sold to agent Central Texas Livestock, Garland, TX for $26,000.

C.R. Bohleen Cattle Co., Wilsall, MT offered Hip 158 “Divas Devil Do” a 2004 AQHA Bay mare x Raren To Dash and out of a New Design daughter.

Futuritied, derbied, and ridden at rodeos by Cally Goyins, Helena, MT, the good mare had seen the pay window many times, and came paid into the 5 State Maturity and the King Arena Maturity for 2011.

Codi Smith, Bozeman, MT purchased the ride to the winners circle for $9,500.

Cowan Select Horses, Havre, MT offered three head of horses that were raised and trained on the ranch including Hip 227 “Roostin Houston” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Hey Houston and out of a Gallo Del Cielo daughter, “Cherroo”.

Cashing checks as a three year old in the reined cowhorse events, the handsome gelding had seen extensive ranch and mountain use, would hold a rope, and ride where you point him.

He brought $5,900 and sold to Candace Burch Sterling, Moore, MT.

Sale averages include the top 5 at $11,260; top 10 at $8,460, top 20 borught $6,155; top 50 averaged $4,149; and the top 100 came in at $2,979.

Loose horses saw a slight up tick over July figures as 421 head offered. The top five averaging $1,042, top 10 at $817; top 20 brought $678; top 50 averaged $547 and the top 100 brought $471.

Expanded to three days, 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” and host a special 77^th anniversary celebration for Billings Livestock Commission.

Team roping jackpot on sale horses is set for Friday, September 23.

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 23-24

Professional grade geldings were the stars of the show and oh, how they shined at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog” Sale July 23-24.

Buyers held their feet to the gas on the geldings as 381 head of cataloged horses were offered - 285 of them geldings - and the top two sale horses, both geldings - brought $12,000 a piece.

Offering a big selection of horses - 780 in all - every kind , color, and class, all in one place, and all in one weekend, buyers from New York state to California headed to the Big Sky for a weekend chuck full of horses, ponies, and mules.

Leading the pack were two geldings offered by the Double K Ranch, McCook, NE, and included Hip 31 “Sonnys Fine Chex” a 2003 AQHA palomino by Chexs Gold Fritz and out of a Sonny Dee Bar mare and Hip 83 “Quarter Osage” a 2005 AQHA Blue Roan x Last Canal and out of a Blue Boy Hancock bred dam.

Both geldings came gentle, ranch ridden, and handsome, with Hip 31 purchased by Mike Chipko, Topanga, CA and Hip 83 heading north with Grant Little and Rayel Robinson, Thorsby, Alberta, Canada.

The top five horses averaged $10,680.

Just call them “made-to-order” Hips 173/173X “Duke and Daisy” a six and seven year old gray pony team, were broke to ride and drive and had been in parades, grand entries, sleigh rides, and been all over town.

Shown and offered by Kelly Horses, Midway, UT, the unique pair - complete with their special sized harness - sold to Drew and Judy Hutchinson, Alladin, WY.

In the cutting session, Zeph Schultz, Coalville, UT offered an extra nice mare, Hip 145 “Lil Miss Missfit” a 2008 AQHA Bay by Pepto Taz and out of Miss Cuttin Wood.

Pretty, ready-to-show, and flashy on a cow, the mare showed extremely well in the previews and sold for $8,400 to Belinda Zundel, Portage, UT.

BLS is proud to be “Pony Central” offering ponies of all sizes and levels including Hip 109 “Peanut” a 2003 Grade Sorrel gelding offered by Shelly Brodkorb, Vigirl, SD.

The pint sized fellow brought $1,100 and sold to Elvera Neuhardt, Miles City, MT.

Good mules like good horses get attention and Hip 432 “John” a 2005 Dun John Mule offered by Clancy and Ida McNabb, Cody, WY was gentle, stayed gentle, ranch ridden, and would pack and drive, too.

Marvin Freid, Bismarck, ND bought the hard-to-find-kind for $7,400.

Strong summertime sale averages include the top ten at $9,230; top 20 brought $7,737; top 50 averaged $5,622, with the top 100 coming in at $4,102.

Loose horses gained some speed over June prices, and in the prospect division the top five averaged $1,375, top ten at $1,230, top 20 at $1,040, top 50 at $517, and the top 100 averaged $456.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes the annual “August Catalog Sale”, and “Montana Miniature and Pony Sale” August 27-28.

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.

An all time record number of horses - 1,498 in all - were offered for sale at Billings Livestock during the expanded three day sale weekend June 24-26.

Showcased by a super set of stock horse geldings, Billings Livestock’s annual “Summer Special” catalog sale featured an array of “extreme geldings“ some straight from the calving pasture and branding corral brought to town by the regions top ranches and cowhands.

Complimented by the “Best of the Remuda” Ranch horse competition held Friday, the using horses came to town to show their stuff in a judged competition - and - geldings claimed 18 out of the top 20 selling positions, with 15 of them wearing gray, roan, palomino, paint, or buckskin color.

Billings Livestock was proud to welcome representatives from the American Quarter Horse Association including Tom Persechino from the AQHA’s public policy division.

Tom addressed sale goers on the latest issues affecting horse owners currently in Congress including processing, taxes, disease, disaster relief and discussed the AQHA’s “PAC” - political action committee.

In addition, Tammy Garrison with the AQHA’s “On-Site Services” who facilitated paperwork, answered questions, and resourced records.

Back in the sale ring - he topped the sales chart and earned co-champion honors in the competition, and Hip 407 “Pay Hickory Cash” a 2003 AQHA Gray gelding x Cat Silver and out of a Pay Forty Four daughter was born and raised on the historic Pitchfork Ranch.

Offered by Raymond Havard, Lufkin, TX, shown by Robbie Moore, Pinedale, WY, and purchased by Jim Neshem, DesLacs, ND, the honest-to-goodness, hard-to-find-kind of a gelding brought $10,500.

Ranch horse competitor, cutter, team sorter, and just an all-around good guy - Hip 35 “Colored Kryptonite” a 2001 APHA Sorrel Tobiano Gelding x Color Me Smart was offered and shown by Keith Marquart, Fort Collins, CO.

The kind that will do whatever you want to do, the respectful gelding came gentle, handsome, and broke, and sold to Donald LaPlant, Bozeman, MT for $10,000.

Fred Love, San Juan, CA offered Hip 483 “Smokums Steady Prize” a 2003 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Smokums Prize x Smokums Oak and out of a daughter of Freckles Playboy.

Ranched on for two years, the prime age gelding was quiet, had seen lots of brandings and cattle, and sold for $6,500 to John Manley, Drummond, MT.

Polished, pretty, and palomino, Hip 236 “LazyFourJacksCommand” a 2003 AQHA gelding x Class O Command came consigned by Clay and Stacy Swain, Park City, UT.

Shown in the competition by Matt Bailey, Wellsville, UT, the class gelding nailed his reining and cow work and the BLS ranch horse co-championship for 2011.

Purchased by Duane and Nicky Stellflug, Laurel, MT, the A-plus gelding had a resume that also included hunting, roping, and starting colts.

He put on a show and Hip 235 “Twinkie” a 2004 grade palomino gelding consigned by Laura Hansen, Kearns, UT had it all going on - from horse shows to team penning, he pulled inner tubes, crossed water, and could keep up with the big horses, too.

The special pony brought $4,250 and sold to Michael Bennett, Tennessee Colony, TX for $4,250.

Complete sale averages include the top five at $8,150; top ten brought $6,850; top 20 at $5,770; top 50 averaged $4,292 and the top 100 came in at $3,330.

A record 884 head of horses were offered loose - selling in seven hours Sunday morning - with the top selling loose horse fetching a $2,100 bid.

Loose horse averages include the top five at $1,830, top 10 at $1,565, top 20 averaged $1,303, top 50 brought $950, and the top 100 averaged $714.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be July 23-24.

The annual “Mid-Summer” Catalog Sale – features cutting and cow bred horses – with two full days of horse sales and previews.

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 9 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 each day. Loose horses sell at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

300 plus catalog horses are expected with a catalog closing date of Tuesday, July 5.

Sale Report for April 23-24

Rodeo ready, jackpot winners, and plenty of prospects - the weekend belonged to the rope horses, all 162 of them, at Billings Livestock Commission’s annual “April Special Catalog Sale” featuring “Rope Horses” April 23-24.

Save your time, truck, and diesel - 689 head of horses came to Billings over the two days with 621 selling to buyers from across the United States and Canada.

Billings Livestock was proud to host PRCA World Champion and two-time George Strait Team Roping Classic Champ, Bobby Harris, who conducted a well attended, informative, roping seminar prior to the sale horse jackpot on Friday at the HorsePalace Arena.

Sale horses shined in the jackpot as a record 201 teams competed in a two-go-round, finals format roping - allowing the consignor to show his horse a minimum of six times - an honest-to-goodness true competition set-up designed for buyers to take notes and shop.

Winning the Gordy Alderson trophy bits, $608 each, and The Rope Shop’s new 4 strand “Gator Gripper”, Hip 88 “Cactus Red Peppy” a 98 AQHA Sorrel gelding owned by David Eaton, Benton City, WA and ridden by Delon Parker heading joined forces with Hip 250 “AJ Dancer” a 96 grade black gelding owned by Wendy Winn, Nephi, UT and piloted by Quinn Kesler on the heels, for the roping championship - nabbing three in 22.23.

The horses brought $8,000 and $6,700 respectively.

It was truly a roping show as BLS welcomed NFR Qualifiers Bobby Harris, Matt Zancanella, Brent Lewis, and the man currently ranked number three in the world standings heading - Spencer Mitchell.

Just call him a superstar, Hip 214 “Dacata Chic” a 2002 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Smart Chic O’lena and out of a Texas Kicker daughter was an all-in-one package offered by Jason Hershberger, Litchfield, AZ.

Pro-caliber heel horse, head on him, too, AQHA World Qualifier twice, NRCHA money-earner of $2,563, and came with 46 AQHA heading points, 26 AQHA heeling points, and 10 Cow Horse points, and shared top sale honors in April with a $12,000 final bid from Tom Hanson, Berthold, ND.

Sharing the top spot was Hip 186 “QCS Hickota Levi” a 05 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Hicata and out of a daughter of Snip of Colonel offered by Tara Turbiville, Rhame, ND.

Ranch on him, let the kids ride, run barrels, or rope, the gentle gelding also topped the charts at $12,000.

Hip 189 “Charmin Te” a 94 AQHA sorrel gelding x A Lotta Te was a bonafide, back in the box, go-get-the money, bulldogging horse brought to Billings by J.D. Stensland, Wolf Point, MT.

The good, honest, ride brought $8,000 and sold to Tyce Helmig, LeDuc, Alberta.

Sale averages reflect the strength and depth of the horses offered at the Billings market as the top five horses averaged a $10,400 price tag; Top ten brought $9,300 followed by the top 20 averaging $8,157, top 50 came in at $6,198, while the top 100 head averaged $4,748.

Five year, top 100 average sales comparison: 2011 - $4,748; 2010 - $4,433; 2009 - $3,980; 2008 - $4,724; and 2007 - $4,694.

Sunday morning’s loose horse session saw a strong crowd as exactly 300 head of horses were offered as is, where is, how is - no rider, no speech, no warranty - with the top selling horse fetching $1,575.

America’s number one loose horse market saw the top five average $1,390, top ten bring $1,283, top 20 at $1,055, top 50 averaged $720, and $531 on the top 100.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for May 28 - 29 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.

Set for Sunday, May 29 - a special, limited session of Appaloosa horses will also sell.

Ranch Horse competition is set for 3 p.m. Friday, May 27 at the HorsePalace Arena, Exit 437 on I-90.

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

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

Sale Report for March 26-27

Gentle on My Mind

Pint sized and super sized -   trail, tourist, and time tested - horses, mules, and ponies filled the sale offering at Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 26-27.

Held each and every March, the “Trail, Outfitting, Guide, and Guest” horse and mule feature offered    756 head over the two days, including 11 teams and 70 mules.

 A two-day  total of 460 buyers registered with 236 actually purchasing  livestock,  and  109 buying two or more head.

 With all the magic of a “My Little Pony”, Hip 10 “Tonto” took  top sale honors for the weekend with a $7,500 price tag.

  Offered by Clancy McNabb, Cody, Wy, the 11 year-old palomino pony gelding  was a true beginner’s package - cute, gentle, happy, and would also drive single.  

The “point-and-go” pony went home with  Teresa Harriet, Clearmont , WY .  

Kelly Horses, Midway, UT offered a nice set of trail and mountain horses including Hip 143 “Pete” an 03 Grade Buckskin gelding.  

A family horse that  knew his way around the sagebrush, the flashy fellow brought $7,000 and sold to Ernie Clifton, Sidney , MT.  

An excellent prospect for ranch, roping, or working cowhorse, Hip 37 “Annabelles Pepto Taz” a 2007 AQHA sorrel gelding x Pepto Taz and out of a Little Peppy granddaughter was extra broke and gentle.  

Offered by Lynn “Spook” Pearman, North Platte , NE , the attractive gelding was purchased by Teresa Sperry, Wiggins, CO for $4,500.  

Colby and Cody Gines, Powell , WY brought a first-class set of mules to Billings including Hips 235 and 235X “ Bell and Bess” a seven-year-old gray molly mule team.   

Broke to pack or drive, the team had been used in the Gines’ outfitting business for the past two years and had seen more back country than most  folks ever will.  

Jerren Carles, Big Fork, MT purchased the unique pair of real using mules for $4,000.  

Ten years old,  red roan, and a true family  or guest trail horse, Hip 16 “Rigby” would travel in daylight or dark, front or back of the string,  would also pack, cross rivers, deadfall, and bridges, and was a sure-shot mountain horse.  

Consigned by Scott and Sandy Sallee, Emigrant, MT, the utilitarian-kind-of guy brought $3,600 and sold to Robin Schindele, Emmett , ID.  

Super solid, from the minute the gate cracked Saturday until the last horse on Sunday,  sale averages include the top five at $5,900, top 10 averaged $5,020, top 20 at $4,260, top 50 averaged $4,418, and the top 100 came in at $2,609.  

Loose horses rocked as the high selling loose of the day fetched $2,200, followed by $1,500, $1,350 - pushing the top five average to $1,520, top 10 at $1,365, top 20 brought $1,181, top 50 at $852, and the top 100 brought $669.  

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 23-24and will feature the 13th annual “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 22.  

PRCA World Champion Team Roper, Bobby Harris, will be on-site Friday, 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 previews on Saturday and Sunday.  

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.

Sale Report for February 25-26-27

Three full days of horse sales at Billings Livestock’s “February Special Catalog Sale” February 25-27 saw a good and glowing market where the top five rang the bell with a $20,000 average ticket price.

The top five selling horses included a $124,000 money earning son of Grays Starlight, a solid-as-solid-gets head horse, an NRCHA World Champion, and two money earning daughters of High Brow Cat.

Quality was King - from promising prospects to arena ready campaigners, purple pedigreed mares to stand-out stallions, the weekend was a one-stop-shop that welcomed 659 head of horses and nearly 700 registered buyers.

Sale averages are comparable or better than one year ago and actually higher on the top 50 head by nearly a $1,000 bill. Top 10 averaged $15,150, top 20 brought $11,645, top 50 at $8,126, and the top 100 brought $5,798.

Pretty, polished, and ready-to-go, Hip 327 “Little Polo Joe” a 1999 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Grays Starlight and out of Little Missy Lena came with $126,854 in earnings and 40 AQHA points.

Truly a showstopper, the stunning stallion showed outstanding in the preview and sold sound to show and breed.

Offered and ridden by Burke Sullivant, Gainesville, TX the special stallion was purchased by Linda Collins, Olathe, CO for a final bid of $36,000.

Billings Livestock was proud to offer three head consigned by the #1 NRCHA Lifetime Leading Owner and #1 NRCHA Lifetime Leading Non Pro Rider, Anne Reynolds, King Hill, ID including Hip 346 “Cash Us McClain” a 1997 AQHA Sorrel Stallion x Nu Cash and out of the famous mare Nancy McLain.

The $50,000 NRCHA money earning stallion was purchased by Don Harrington, Dillon, MT for $17,000.

Oh so pretty - Hip 284 “Susies Kitty” a 2005 AQHA Bay mare sired by High Brow Cat - Equi-Stats #1 Leading cutting sire, NCHA-AQHA leading Cutting Sire for Seven Consecutive Years, and the sire of offspring with earnings exceeding $43 million, and out of the Little Peppy daughter Glo Bonita Peppy, brought $12,500.

Shown by Steve Colclasure and consigned by Tim Dunn, the NCHA money earning mare sold to Tom Atwood, Orland, CA.

He bred him, raised him, and still owns his mother, and Harvey Lewis, Livingston, MT offered Hip 345 “MJ Dunit” a 2005 AQHA Buckskin Gelding x Hollywood Dun It and out of Catty N Classy x Taris Catalyst.

The one-owner gelding with NRHA earnings including wins at Energy City Open, Big Sky Reining Open Reserve Champ, and Yellowstone Slide Novice Horse Open Champion was shown by J.R. Winter, sold for $10,000 and moved to New York with Lauren and Cynthia Pfifer.

Hip 277 “NutinButTheTailLites” a 2005 AQHA Sorrel gelding x King Of The Lanes and out of Famous Irish Cream x Dash Ta Fame was the weekend’s top selling barrel horse.

Offered by Jill Miller, Lewistown, MT, the talented gelding brought $10,500 and sold to Tony Langdon, Aubrey, TX.

Possibly the biggest news of the weekend was in the loose horse pen where loose horses brought more per head than they have in three years - 50 cents per pound on a processing horse.

191 head were offered loose with the top 100 - over ½ of the horses offered as is, where is, how is - averaging $606.50 per head.

That compares with $408 on the top 100 just one month ago and $518 per head one year ago.

Loose averages include the top five at $1,365, top ten brought $1,162, top 20 at $947, top 50 averaged $738 and top 100 at $606.50.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be the “Spring Special Catalog Sale” March 26-27and will feature 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 barrel horses, cutters, saddle horses, and rope horses is scheduled for Friday, March 25 at 1 p.m.

Sale Report for January 22, 2011

The 2011 horse sale season took off in a positive fashion at Billings Livestock’s “Winter Special Catalog Sale” and annual “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” January 22.

One big day of horses, tack, and more horses saw 363 head of horses offered in addition to two sale sessions of used and collectible tack items.

Horse after horse, the market held solid and steady, from first horse to last, the top 50 horses averaged just under $2,000 per head.

The weekend’s selection was headlined by LeRoy Bieber’s dispersion of 48 head of horses, including AQHA point earners, extra-nice ranch, riding, and using geldings, mares, and young stock.

The top five averaged $3,380 - every horse a Bieber consignment.

The Leola, SD rancher and breeder had the day’s top selling horse - Hip 65 “Biebers Oak Lite” a 2003 AQHA Palomino gelding x TC Rebel Cody and out of Docs Golden Oak x Doc’s Oak.

A finished reiner that had been shown in “everything” at local shows by kids, the pretty gelding was started on barrels, and had also been used elk hunting.

Ed Burge, Medical Lake, WA purchased the all-around, one-owner gelding for $3,900.

4K Livestock, Jackson, MN offered Hip 56 “First Buckwheat” a 2004 AQHA Sorrel Gelding x Adams First Dancer x First Down Dash and out of a Special Effort granddaughter.

The big, upstanding gelding had been used on the ranch calving and sorting and came smart and sensible, and moved to Meridian, ID with Quint Whitman for $3,000.

On the tack side, the “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” saw a 1920’s horsehair hitched , Deer Lodge, Montana prison-made, headstall fetch $2,600. Selling in excellent condition, the multi-colored, complete headstall and reins sold to a Montana collector.

Sale averages on the horses include the top five at $3,380; top ten averaged $3,100, top 20 at $2,670; and the top 100 at $1,494.

Loose horses saw a bump in value over November prices as the top loose horse of the day brought $1,200 and the top five averaged $1035; top ten $883; Top 20 at $709, top 50 at $572 and the top 100 averaged $408.

Billings Livestock’s “February Catalog Sale” will feature an expanded three-day sale format February 25-26-27.

The sale weekend is highlighted by a special, limited session of “Sons and Daughters” of Champions and Money Earners in addition to the NFR Session. All classes of horses will sell.

A preview of the rope horses, cutting horses, barrel horses, and saddle horses is set for Friday, February 25 at 11 a.m. at the Horse Palace Arena. Rope horses, calf horses, and cutting horses will all preview on cattle.

Catalogs will be available on-line Thursday, February 17 with hard copy catalogs mailed on Friday, February 18.