They carried the contemporary genetics that influence today’s performance horse industry and made-to-order mares made their presence known at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” May 26-27-28.

With 1,313 head of horses offered - the second largest sale on record for BLS - mares took control of the top five selling spots, including the weekend’s top selling horse, as daughters of Frenchman’s Guy, Peptoboonsmal, Dual Rey, and PC Boston Bob averaged a cool $20,500.

From the State of Independence to the Golden State, horses sold to 16 states and two Canadian provinces with a completed sales percentage exceeding 90%.

Sired by Equi-Stats #2 Leading Barrel Horse Sire for 2005, Frenchman’s Guy - and out of a Sak Em San granddaughter, Hip 302 “San Amber Moon Frost” a 98 AQHA buckskin mare with a buckskin baby at side by “Bully the Red” topped the weekend’s offering with a $32,500 bid.

Selling with a breeding to the #7 ranked horse in the barrel horse business - Dash For Perks - the finished barrel, pole, head, and heel horse sold to Kathie McLean, Nanton, Alberta.

With barrel racing progeny earnings exceeding $900,000, Frenchman’s Guy claimed another daughter in the top five - Hip 379 “Flying Hearts Orphan” a 2002 AQHA sorrel out of a Wilywood daughter.

Purchased for $14,000, and already loping a nice barrel pattern, the promising prospect sold to David Allshouse, Cody, WY.

Both mares were part of the Nick Reynolds, Elm Creek, NE reduction offering which included 21 head.

He’s the 1995 NCHA Open Futurity Champion, sire of over $8 Million in money earners, Equi-Stats #2 Leading Cutting Horse Sire for 2005 and - Peptoboonsmal sired Hip 338 “Peptos Special Girl” a 2003 AQHA sorrel mare out of a daughter of Doc’s Zimfandel.

Started on cattle, the stand-up three-year-old brought $22,000 and sold to Rimrock Livestock, Shawmut, MT.

51 head of “real deal” using horses tested their stockhorse skills Friday morning in Billings Livestock’s eighth annual “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse competition where Hip 95 “Satins Poco Bar” a 96 AQHA dun gelding owned and shown by Chad Turner, Turner Performance Horses, Victor, MT took home the Championship buckle.

Purchased by Two Feathers Ranch, Darby, MT, the extra fancy fellow was also the top selling gelding of the weekend ringing the bell at $12,500.

The top five “Best of the Remuda” ranch horse session entries averaged $10,100, and the top ten brought $7,750.

A “top five” finisher in the ranch horse competition, brimming with charisma, color, and class, Hip 369 “Dox Haida” a 99 AQHA gray stallion x Haidas Little Pep and out of a Doc O’Lena daughter came consigned by Craig Haythorn, Haythorn Land and Cattle, Arthur, NE.

The cowhorse brought $11,000 and sold to Colleen Iveson, Imlay, Nevada.

Bay, gentle, and grade - Hip 365 “Duncan” a 2000 model gelding consigned by Ross and Chrissy Peterson, Sturgis, SD and shown in the ranch horse competition by Ross, was a family horse deluxe and also started heeling in the arena.

C-5 Ranching, Nanton, Alberta purchased “Duncan” for $10,000.

Older, educated, and honest - the horses in demand continue to be the trustworthy kind with an occupation.

Younger horses with little or no riding and horses in poor condition continue to meet minimal demand.

Ranch and using geldings brought $1,300 to $12,500.

Sunday’s special “Appaloosa Session” offered 100 head with Hip 680 “Cash N Dream” a 2001 ApHC Chestnut gelding sired by Cash N Miss Drip and out of Miner’s Dream topping the offering with a $4,500 sale price.

Consigned by Jeff Tift, Banner, WY, and purchased by Jeanie McJunkin, Powell, WY the ranch gelding had been used outside in the pasture as well as lightly started in the arena.

The top five selling appaloosa session entries averaged $3,230, and the top ten brought $2,435.

Complete sale averages, all classes, all kinds, include the top five (all mares) at $20,500; Top 10 averaged $15,600; Top 20 brought $11,252; Top 50 came in at $6,933, while the top 100 head sold averaged $4,922.

The loose horse session saw big numbers where 613 head were offered as is, where is, how is, and the top five averaged $1,470, top 10 at $1,305, top 20 brought $1,122, top 50 at $895, and the top 100 averaged $738.

The “Summer Special Catalog Sale” will headline Saturday and Sunday‘s events, June 24 - 25 and will feature “Team Penning” horses and a special session of “Buckskins ONLY“. All classes and types of horses will sell including rope horses, cutters, reiners, prospects, mares, stallions, and finished arena and using horses.

An open, draw-pot team penning is set for Friday, June 23 at 3 p.m. with one horse in each team being a sale horse.

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

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