From National Park gigs to Girl Scout Camps, the “troopers” had been where the deer and the antelope play and seen more western splendor than most people and 16 head of honest-to-goodness kid’s horses came offered by the largest supplier of recreational horses in the United States, Sombrero Ranches, Longmont, CO.

Hip 178 “Willie” a 1984 grade sorrel gelding was good to the bone, packing the smallest passengers, even while swinging a rope. The bonafide kid’s horse sold to Warren Dunn, Buffalo, SD for $1,600.

A ready-to-do-business crowd saw the one-day sale offer 400 horses, with a minimal 22 head passed out or no saled by the consignor - computing to a 95.5 completed sale percentage.

Real arena prospects packed the top five including Hip 195 “Jett Full Of Cash” a 2001 AQHA Black Mare offered by Justin and Amanda Jarrett, Cody, WY.

The Dash For Perks granddaughter had been used on the ranch, hauled to barrel futurities this past summer and was ready -to-go for her derby season.

Karen Taylor, Mead, CO purchased the top-end mare for $5,750.

With over 100 steers roped on him and well on his way to becoming a big-time head horse, Hip 132 “Voo Doo Smart” a 2002 AQHA Black Gelding x Expecialysmart Peppy, had snubbed colts, been used outside, and came with the tools necessary to advance in the arena.

Consigned and shown by Delon Parker, the good gelding brought $6,900 and moved to the Sunshine State with Jim Beaty, Okeechobee, FL.

The day’s top selling horse was offered by Black Rock Ranch, Coeur D’Alene, ID and Hip 190 “Annabelles Playgun” a 2005 AQHA Gray filly sired by Pieper Ranch’s $3.8 million dollar sire Playgun and out of a Grays Starlight daughter brought $7,200 selling to Central Texas Livestock, Garland, TX.

He came a dandy dun color accented with black tiger stripes and Hip 63 “Dunn Marked By Chex” a 97 AQHA/IBHA stallion by Hot Chocolate Chex x King Fritz was offered by Whitewood, SD breeders Bob and Jan Quickstad.

Bringing $5,000, the sire of duns, buckskins, blacks, and grullos sold to Lazy Heart Horses, Livingston, MT.

True blue roan and by Roanys Tomcat x High Rolling Roany, Hip 154 “Map Roanys Stamp” a 2004 AQHA stallion was raised and offered by Mike Pierson, Brusett, MT.

Having an eye for quality, well known Montana horseman Ray Beecher, Grass Range, MT purchased the colorful colt for $5,000.

Gray and good at what he does, Hip 87 “Tyrees Cadillac Star” a 2001 AQHA gelding owned by Beau and Tami Blake, Hysham, MT had covered lots of miles and brought lots of calves to the branding fire.

The good looking, premium-age gelding sold to Kraig Sweeney, Lewistown, MT for $3,700.

Billings Livestock was proud to welcome 10 head from Bubel Quarter Horses, Center, ND.

The intensely race bred offering included sons and daughters of Bubel’s stallions “Blurr the Bux” x Murrtheblurr and “Up to Victory” x Victory Dash.

A strong market - from beginning to end - is reflected in the overall sale averages - top five horses brought $6,070; top ten at $5,005; top 20 averaged $4,012; top 50 came in at $2,719 and the top 100 - that is exactly one-fourth of the sale - brought $1,896.

January 27 will feature the “Winter Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale in addition to the annual “Cabin Fever” Tack Sale offering collectible and used tack. To receive a catalog or consign to future BLS sale events, call Bill or Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers, for more information at 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com