Good geldings aplenty, the finished, fit, and fancy kind lead the charge at Billings Livestock’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” June 28-29.

A jumbo selection of 993 head of horses, 430 plus buyers, and 35 roping steers headed to the Big Sky for the two-day summer supersale - and, hear the news - in all divisions, all classes - sale averages held steady or beat the final figures from one year ago.

Top ten averaged $7,200, compared to $7,025 in 2007, top 20 brought $5,932 compared to $5,832, and the top 100 averaged $3,402 against $3,468 one year ago.

Pass outs or no-sales were cut in half over 2007 figures with 64 head of the 993 horses “no-saled” by the consignor compared with 144 of 874 last year.

For the second straight month and the third sale this year, a barrel horse has claimed the number one selling position of the weekend at Billings Livestock.

Wearing the signature black color stamped by his $3 million dollar sire “Dash For Perks” Hip 183 “Pistol Pete Perks” was out of a 1-D daughter of Jet’s Pay Day and came hauled and winning at jackpots and rodeos.

Offered by Kylan Campbell, Harrison, AR the quality gelding brought $11,000 and sold to Jeff Link, Billings, MT.

Buckskins ruled supreme as a special session of buckskins crowned the June event with the top selling buckskin bringing $8,000 and the top five wearing the butterscotch tint averaging $6,740.

At the top of the buckskin list, Hip 45 “Pistol” a nine-year-old grade gelding offered by Bruce Nelson, Pine Bluffs, WY came honest, gentle, parade broke, ranch ridden, and attractive - and sold to Michelle Porter, Colburn, CO for $8,000.

Well attended previews included a “Team Penning” competition on Friday afternoon, and on Saturday a full saddle and ride horse exhibition bonused by team sorting, cutting, and rope horse previews.

One owner and another pretty buckskin, Hip 89 “Biebers Shiner” a 2001 AQHA Gelding sired by Great Jab O Lena and out of a daughter of Doc’s Oak was raised and offered by Leroy Beiber, Leola, SD.

Broke, strong built, and sensible, the gelding brought $5,900 and sold to Charles Jerviss, Oak View, CA.

A steady summer loose horse market prevailed as the top five prospects averaged $1,540 against$1,350 one year ago; top ten averaged $1,347 vs. $1,142 in ‘07; Top 20 brought $1,115 compared to $946; top 50 came in at $828 against $704; and the top 100 averaged $643 compared to $563 last year.

It’s a good one with a big line-up and Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Mid-Summer Catalog Sale” featuring cutting and cowbred horses July 26 - 27.

Rope horses and cutting horses will preview both days, with a special cutting horse preview set for Friday, July 25 at 5 p.m. .

All classes of horses will sell, including finished arena horses and prospects for ranch, roping, arena, cutting, or recreation.