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Bill and Jann Parker 
1-800-635-7364 or 406-245-4151

Past Horse Sales 2004

Reports 1999 ~ Reports  2000 ~ Reports 2001  

Reports 2002 ~  Reports 2003 ~ Reports 2004

 

Sale Report - November 27, 2004

Hot to Trot!

The biggest shopping weekend of the year saw the biggest percentage of horses sold - ever - at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Holiday Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale where a one-day total of 653 head of horses were offered - and all but 26 sold - making the pass-out or no-sale percentage a mere 4%.

Punchy cowponies, pure pedigreed mares, and outstanding production offerings packed the catalog consignments as savvy shoppers packed the sales arena from 12 states and Canada.

The top three sale positions were claimed by mares - all by industry leading sires from time-proven programs - Peppy San Badger, Frenchman’s Guy, and Dual Pep.

She’s a half-sister to $24 million in money earners, and Hip 44 “Peppys Mist Lynx” an 86 AQHA Sorrel daughter of Peppy San Badger had produced $68,700 in money earners herself.

Out of a daughter of Doc’s Lynx, the mare sold bred to Smart Legacy x Smart Little Lena and was the day’s top selling horse ringing the bell at $8,500.

The quality mare came consigned by John H. Johnson, Brookings, SD and was purchased by Hat Coulee Ranch, Carlyle, Saskatchewan.

Offered by World Champion Brad and Karen Gleason, Touchet, WA Hip 121 “Frenchman’s Doll” a 2001 AQHA Buckskin mare sired by one of the hottest barrel horse sires in the business - Frenchman’s Guy - came well started and ready to go.

Handy met pretty, and the filly with the great disposition, athletic ability, and multi-futurity eligibility, sold to Lee Woods, Grangeville, ID for $7,900.

He’s the goods - big, blue, and best of all - gentle - and Hip 127 “NLD Beau Hancock” a 96 AQHA Bay Roan gelding offered by Mark Dreesen, Circle, MT was the day’s top selling gelding bringing $7,100.

Head steers, pick-up broncs, the made-to-take-it gentle giant stood nearly 17 hands and weighed every pound of 1400 lbs.

Good geldings ran in big bunches at BLS where the top five averaged $5,120 and the top ten brought $4,285.

A first-class production offering came to town with Rimrock Livestock, Shawmut, MT as 30 head of their promoted program were presented.

Standing and showing “Playboys Phoenix” x Freckles Playboy, NCHA $9,000+, and home of the NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA earner and producer of over $220,000, “The Smart Smoke” x Smart Little Lena, Rimrock’s stallion power runs potent.

Rimrock’s mare band includes daughters of Dual Pep, Playgun, Royal Silver King, Doc’s Sug, Doc Tari, Powder River Playboy, Badger Starlight, and Freckles Floyd.

Top selling individual was “Sportin Smoke” a 2003 AQHA Black stallion by Sportin Highbrow and out of a daughter of “The Smart Smoke” bringing $5,100.

Vee Ranch, Rapid City, SD purchased Hip 103 “Playin Lady” a 2003 AQHA chestnut mare by Playboys Phoenix and out of a money earning mare - Lady Dual Pep x Dual Pep.

The correct, classy filly brought $4,700.

Rimrock’s 16 head of yearlings averaged $2,353, with the entire offering averaging $1,927.

Loose horses gained ground from last month, where the top selling loose horse of the day demanded $1,500, followed by $1,300, and $1,250.

The top five loose horses averaged $1,290, up $200 a head over last month; top 10 came in at $1073, a $100 per head increase; the top 20 averaged $884 - up $50 per head; while the top 100 averaged $543, seeing a $33 increase.

Complete sale averages - including the catalog horses - show the top five selling horses averaging $7,500; top 10 brought $6,190; Top 20 came in at $4,793; Top 50 at $3,313; and the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $2,422.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for January 1 with the “New Year’s Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale.

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 OCTOBER 23 - 24

Work Zone

Billings, MT - Keen, colored, and no-nonsense, the hard-working blue collar boys were the business as the demand for solid geldings continued at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Fall Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale October 23 - 24.

Occupying 15 of the top 20 selling positions, geldings had the market cornered - with honest geldings pushing the accelerator as folks came to gather the tried and true kind.

The top five geldings all wore color and a red dun, two grays, a palomino, and a red roan - averaged $6,030 while the top ten geldings brought $5,120 and included a sorrel, grulla, red dun, and two chestnuts.

To achieve the rank of a “top ten gelding”, this better-than-average set of horses came with a job description, had been used in that job capacity, were gentle and solid - and - talented enough to take on a new occupation. Good looks and genetics added to the packages.

It’s called product testing and watching them work and ride speaks volumes about the merchandise and the pre-sale previews for the cutters, ropers, and ride horses allowed the sale horses to show - or not show - their stuff.

With 868 horses offered, the market continues to see an increased call for an older, finished, pretty product - one that will stay that way, be it two days or two months while young, inexperienced, poorly conditioned horses are meeting with an even lessened demand.

Cowboys with jobs for young horses listen up - it’s a buyers market in the young horse division, including two and three year-olds, weanlings, and yearlings.

Horses sold to 16 states and Canada including West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Utah, North Dakota, California, Washington, South Dakota, Oregon, Nebraska, Idaho, Wyoming, and Texas.

The day’s top selling horses - both geldings - were straight off a days work - a 96 AQHA Red Dun x Cols Lil Pistol and a 98 Grade Gray “Pistol”, came well used and gentle - and - brought $7,000 and $6,750 respectively.

Mares with arena credentials claimed sale positions 3-4-5 and included two cutters and a reiner.

Hip 172 “The Color of Cash” a 91 AQHA Bay Mare sired by Miss N Cash x Dash For Cash had earned over $2,200 in NCHA money and came bred to a son of Like A Diamond for a 2005 foal.

Owned, shown, and offered by Never Sweat Ranch, Hamilton, MT, the producing mare brought $6,500 and sold to Jason Schaper, Clarkston, WA.

She’d never left the hands of the folks that raised her, and Hip 116 “Miss Sun Command” a 2000 AQHA Sorrel Mare x RC Command was a finished reiner ready to head to the shows.

The AQHA Incentive Funded filly was consigned and shown in the preview by Jimmy Brown, Rockford, WA. The quality mare sold for $6,000 to Don Robertson, Shepherd, MT.

Currently in training and showing - and - offered by the breeder - Hip 166 “Classy Bar Clown” a 99 AQHA Sorrel Mare x Clown Solito was raised and consigned by Lois Dehaven, Halliday, ND.

A pretty mare, complete with a show record, brought $5,800 and sold to Marcia Hurd, Laurel, MT.

In the loose horse division, a full sale arena saw 336 head sell with the high selling loose horse bringing $1,275 followed by $1,200. Overall loose horse averages include the top five at $1,090, top ten at $978; top 20 came in at $831; top 50 loose averaged $642, and the top 100 brought $510.

Complete sale averages breakdown as follows - top five averaged $6,410; top ten at $5,795; top 20 at $4,728; top 50 averaged $3,381; with the top 100 horses sold bringing $2,544.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for November 27 and will feature the “Holiday Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale.

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: SEPTEMBER 25 - 26

Roping School

Billings, MT - Horses, horses, and more horses - a record-breaking 1,001 head of horses - all classes, kinds, and quality - were offered at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Cow Country Classic Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale September 25 - 26.

Brought to town by sellers from 14 states and five Canadian provinces, horses scattered to all four-corners finding new homes in 19 states and Canada. Over 605 people registered to buy during the two-day horse sale showcase.

“Rope Horses” were the featured attraction as 99 teams - aboard sale-horses only - competed in the pre-sale “show and tell” rope horse jackpot Friday afternoon in the BLS Arena.

With a time of 21.44 on three head, Hips 396 “ Gallant Rooster” a 93 AQHA Sorrel Gelding consigned by Lee Hagler, Ft. Lupton, CO and Hip 206 “Smart Little Array” a 97 AQHA Red Dun Gelding offered by Cindy Jo Rice, ridden by Tripper Rice, Pendelton, OR took home first place. The horses brought $3,200 and $6,500 respectively, selling to Texas and Arizona buyers.

“Rope Horses” also claimed 12 positions in the BLS Top Twenty Sellers listing - bearing an average ticket price of $6,567 with all but three wearing the red roan, blue roan, palomino, dun or buckskin color.

“Dualin Solano” a 2000 AQHA Sorrel stallion sired by Dual Pep and out of a $30,000 money earning dam by Doc’s Solano, took home the weekend’s top sale honors with a final bid of $14,500.

Offered by ARA Horse Co., Bixby, OK the pretty stallion sold to Hi-Line Horses, Hingham, MT.

High selling horses 2-3-4 were rope horses, including Hip 279 “Step N Kato” a 96 AQHA Palomino Gelding x Mr Kato Drifter offered by Lee Pederson, Milestone, Saskatchewan.

A solid, seasoned pickup horse, he’d been hauled to the Canadian Cowboy Association Finals and to Canadian Professional Rodeo Association rodeos.

He’d picked up broncs, drug bulls, and carried flags in the grand entry, and was also a finished head horse. Stan Lewis, Lehi, UT purchased the gentle giant for $8,000.

He’d won a saddle over the Labor Day weekend and Hip 166 “One Tough Tramp” a 99 AQHA Blue Roan gelding x The River Tramp came consigned by Walt Johnson, Raynesford, MT.

Ron McQuay, Deer Lodge, MT purchased the big, roan, ranch ridden gelding for $7,600.

Montana’s working class gelding market continued it’s stonghold as buyers came to gather the “real deal” geldings. Top five geldings averaged $7,460.

Using geldings ranged in price from $1,000 to $8,000 - with occupation, quality, eye appeal, and user friendliness the deciding factors.

Mini-production sale offerings included weanlings from Bob McIlhattan, Bozeman, MT. The extra-nice set of fitted babies averaged $842.

Gene Escott, Faith, SD offered six head of weanlings from his well-known program including Hip 291 - a bay filly by GE Frosty Drift and out of a Frenchman's Guy granddaughter. The correct filly brought $1,500.

A great team of strawberry roan geldings was offered by Russell Kent, Waubun, MN."

Pete and Charlie" were full brothers, five and seven years old. The Belgian and American Cream cross geldings had been driven in parades and used on wagon rides.

The honest team brought $8,200 and sold to Carroll Johnston, Watford City, ND.

Overall sale averages include the top five selling horses averaging $9,020; top ten brought $7,830; top 20 at $6,915; top 50 came in at $5,313; and the top 100 head of horses sold brought $4,077.

America’s number one loose horse market saw the top selling loose horse bring $1,500. The top five averaged $1,105, top 10 brought $975, top 20 averaged $854, top 50 came in at $712, while the top 100 averaged $609.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for October 23 - 24 and will feature the annual “Fall Special” catalog sale. Featured in October will be performance horses and mini-production sale offerings.

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:  AUGUST 28 - 29

Horse Happy -Sunfrost Stallion brings $14,500

Billings, MT - From the big, broke riding around ones to the little mini’s, Billings Livestock Commission’s “August Catalog Sale” offered a “one-stop shopping” opportunity August 28 - 29.

Featuring speed bred and performance horses, the “August Catalog Sale” kicked off with a NBHA/NWBRA approved barrel race Friday afternoon while Sunday’s “Montana Miniature and Pony” sale wrapped up the sale weekend.

Nearly 1,000 head of horses came through the gates of Billings Livestock - officially 967 head - meeting with a strong August market as 462 buyers registered for the sale event.

Customers from 18 states and Canada made the trip to buy under the Big Sky including California, Indiana, Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Pass out or “no-sale” percentage was 11%.

The weekend’s top two selling horses were both one-owner deals, coming home raised, ridden, and consigned by the breeders.

Wearing the Matt Dillon buckskin color and carrying famous genetics - Hip 142 “Flying Hearts Tuffy” a 2002 AQHA stallion x Sunfrost and out of a daughter of Tuff Time Peppy, ran off with the day’s top seller’s honors.

Raised and shown by Mike Hollibaugh, Flying Heart Ranch, Chadron, NE, the stallion was lightly started with 20 rides. Frank Krukow, Sheffield, IA purchased the pretty package for $14,500.

Sale horses competed in the Friday barrel race where 48 horses entered the open division of the NBHA sanctioned event.

Running the fastest time - by nearly a tenth of a second - Hip 77 “Laces N Te” a 96 AQHA Sorrel mare raised and ridden by Jon Ottun, Billings, MT.

The Ottun’s futuritied the mare in 2001 winning nearly $6,000, including paychecks at Belle Fourche Futurity, Barrel of Gold Futurity, and Prairie Gold Stallion Stakes in Canada.

By the Ottun’s stallion Last Little Te x Triple Te and out of a Raging Bull daughter, the special mare brought $7,750 and sold to Lee Caldwell, Lehi, UT.

Big and honest, been there and done that, the day’s top selling gelding Hip 156 “Ismays Beau Decka” a 95 AQHA Bay x Two Eyed Beau Hunk was also a finished and hauled head and heel horse.

They’d owned him since a weanling and Burton and Sherry Farley, Billings, MT used him on the ranch dragging calves, elk hunting, on the racetrack as a pony horse, and on wagon trains.

Dudley Shy, Billings, MT purchased the gentle, do everything fella for $6,500.

The gather continues on the good geldings as the top five averaged $5,000.

A screaming loose horse trade saw the top fifty average $1,050 - a new high for the BLS record books.

With 449 head presented “as is, where is, how is”, the top loose horse brought $2,300 with whopping averages including the top five bumping the $2,000 mark at $1,970, top 20 at $1,427, and the top 100 brought $839.

Sunday’s annual “Montana Miniature and Pony Sale” featured 78 head in a special session where the top pony brought $3,000 and the top miniature demanded $1,100.

Hip 418 “Sassy” a 90 grade pony mare consigned by Mike and Judy McInerney, Belle Fourche, SD had been run on barrels and poles, shown in halter, ridden in parades, and jumped in competition.

The cute, well made pony mare sold to Melinda Tillett, Lovell, WY.

The top five ponies averaged $1,980.

Offered by R and R Miniatures, Ranchester, WY, Hip 448 a 2004 AMHR Appaloosa mare x Knights Stars Flashback sold to Jimmy McKay, Frenchtown, MT for $1,000.

The weekend’s complete sale averages include the top five bringing $7,710; top 10 averaged $6,020; Top 20 at $4,725; The top 50 came in at $3,418, while the top 100 head of horses sold brought $2,603.

Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale is next on the BLS Sale agenda September 25 - 26.

Featuring “Rope Horses” and a special session of John Scott Ranch bred and branded horses.

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.

A jackpot on the rope horses is set for 1 p.m. Friday, September 24. Watch the sale horses under competition circumstances!

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 - 26

Cadillac Cowhorses

Billings, MT - Performance packages - the kind with authenticated earnings - from roping, reining, cutting to working cowhorse - were the products of preference at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Mid-Summer Special Catalog Sale” July 24 - 25.

Cadillac cowhorses including honest working geldings, cutting horses, and arena rope horses stole the show - top selling cutting horse brought $14,800; High selling competition rope horse commanded $10,750; Top selling honest saddle horse gelding brought $10,500.

Every horse in the top five packed a reputable record - they won it themselves and three additionally produced it in their offspring - including NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) earnings, NRHA (National Reining Horse Association) money, AQHA point and ROM earners, to PRCA rodeo winnings.

With 824 head of horses offered during the two-day sale binge, a steady, solid demand for sharp, honest using geldings continued while the buys of the sale were in the younger, plainer, less experienced horses.

A mighty market was reflected in the low 9% “pass out” or “no sale” percentage of the two-day horse offering.

With 412 individuals registered to buy, horses sold to 24 states and 2 Canadian provinces - NY, VA, PA, MN, CA, AZ, AR, IA, IL, GA, UT, MN, CO, ID, SD, WA, NE, NM, KS, ND, WY, TX, MT, NV, Alberta and Sask.

Hauled and shown up to sale day, Hip 157 “Watermelon Crawl Cee” a 95 AQHA Buckskin gelding sired by Peppys Boy 895 and out of a Maxi Lena daughter, came with $14,000 in NCHA earnings.

Consigned by Roy Gebhardt, Hyattville, WY, the solid show gelding was previewed by James Johnson, Casper, WY and sold to William Stein, Turbotville, PA for $14,800.

An impressive selection of rope horses and rope horse prospects fueled the market with Hip 107 “Bar Billie Poco” an 89 AQHA Bay gelding offered by Venture Farms, Ellensburg, WA claiming top rope horse honors.

The gelded son of Boon Bars Best was a hauled and won head, heel, and calf horse, with wins at the USTRC, ACTRA, NIRA, Pro West, and NHSRA levels.

Steamboat Ranch, Roberts, MT purchased the ultra-rope horse for $10,750.

Proving that it’s ability over pedigree in the rope horse pen, two additional show stopping rope horses - both grade - included Hip 138 “Hammer” a 95 grade black gelding offered by Stace and Kristi Swan, Swift Current, Alberta bringing $7,000 and Hip 333 “Spinner” a 94 Grade sorrel mare consigned by Troy Fischer, Mayerthorpe, Alberta bringing $6,200.

Overall sale averages summarized the weekend’s quality offerings with the top five averaging $12,010; top ten $10,630; top 20 brought $8,780; top 50 averaged $6,140, while the top 100 came in at $4,340.

They played to a full sale arena and a flat runaway in the loose horse division saw Billings Livestock continue to lead the nation in the loose horse trade - the top selling horse on the loose brought $2,100, top five averaged $1,770, top 20 brought $1,305, while the top 100 selling “as is, where is”, commanded $778.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event includes their annual ““August Catalog Sale”, and “Montana Miniature and Pony Sale” August 28-29.

An open barrel race with $500 added will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday morning, August 27 in the BLS Arena.

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:  June 26

Geldings Get it On

Billings, MT - Bigger, better, and rippin’ good - rock-solid geldings met with rock-solid demand - as shoppers from across the United States and Canada fed their appetite for cowhorses at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Summer Special Catalog Sale” and regular monthly horse sale June 26.

Blasting last year’s top 50 sale average by $492 per head, the quality ran deep and buyer demand strong as a record-breaking one-day offering of 801 head of horses saw 424 buyers from 22 states and two Canadian provinces moving horses to new destinations.

And - better yet - only 64 head of the day’s entire offering - that’s 8% - no saled or were passed out by the consignor.

Featuring “team penning” horses, the weekend’s events kicked off Friday afternoon with a $200 added money team penning on sale horses in the BLS Arena, allowing buyers and sellers alike to watch the sale horses in action.

Good geldings ran in big bunches, both registered and grade, as using geldings claimed 15 of the top 20 sale positions, with all but three packing the dun, roan, buckskin, black, or gray color.

The top two selling geldings sold grade, bringing $10,000 and $9,750 respectively.

He came gentle, pretty, and polished and Hip 123 “Bubble Gum” a 96 grade gray gelding offered by Bob Turnbull, Billings, MT was the real McCoy.

Shown in the pre-sale team penning competition, the dead-shot ranch gelding had been used as turn back horse at cuttings, roped and doctored outside, started roping both ends in the arena, as well as ridden in the mountains of Montana.

The all-in-one cowpony package brought $10,000 and sold to Peter Loeber, Sauk City, Wisconsin.

Sharing the top seller spot was Hip 48 “Dualicious” a 99 AQHA sorrel mare x Dual Pep and out of Lenas Susie Oak x Doc’s Oak.

The finished cutting mare was owned and shown by Diane Hooper, Kimberly, ID and headed north of the border for $10,000 with Max Hansen, Redwater, Alberta, Canada.

He came from north of the border, wore the true blue roan color, and Hip 152 “Rambo” a 98 Grade gelding offered by Lee Pedersen, Milestone, Saskatchewan, Canada brought $9,750.

Rope either end, the hauled and won on rope horse had also been used doctoring, sorting, and roping cattle. Lisa Barton, Great Falls, MT purchased the high-octane gelding.

The top ten geldings - all with an occupation - averaged $6,025.

Price variables included work experience, eye appeal, pedigree, and a “want to” attitude, with gentle being an important ingredient in the mix.

Value was again found in the younger, less experienced type horses. Prospects looking for work brought from $700 to $2,000.

Loose horse mania saw 437 head offered on the loose with a whopping $789 per head average on the top 100 - a $78/head increase over 2003.

Top five selling loose horses commanded $2,750, $2,200, $1,600, followed by $1,500 and $1,400.

Loose horse averages include the top five at $1,890, a $350 per head increase over 2003, top ten at $1,580, top 20 brought $1,309, and the top 50 averaged $973, a $67 per head increase over last year’s figures.

Overall sale averages, including catalog, loose, and open consignment horses came in at $8,700 for the top five; top ten at $7,110; Top twenty at $5,755; top 50 brought $4,167; and the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $3,059 - a $325 per head increase over 2003.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is the “Mid-Summer Catalog Sale” featuring cutting horses - set for July 24 - 25.

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

 

SALE REPORT:  May 22 - 23

Great Northern Geldings!

Billings, MT - Showcased by a spectacular set of stock horse geldings, Billings Livestock’s annual “Cow Country Classic” catalog sale May 22 - 23 featured an array of “extreme geldings“ some straight out of the calving pasture or branding corral brought to town by the regions top ranches and cowhands.

Complimented by the “Best of the Remuda” Ranch horse competition Friday evening, the using geldings came to town to show their stuff in a judged competition - and - geldings claimed 19 out of the top 20 selling positions, ten of them wearing the red roan, blue roan, dun, or buckskin color.

Buyers from California to Tennessee had the opportunity to bid on 908 head of horses and 1 cowdog.

"Boots" stole the show - a real cowdog offered by Galen Humble, Ft. Pierre, SD. The excellent working dog brought $1,500 and sold to Brian Adams, Tremonton, UT.

Mr. Adams reported that three little girls did not want to go to school on Monday.

Folks watched and witnessed 50 head of working class geldings test their stockhorse skills with Hip 71 “Dandys Last Ace” a 94 AQHA sorrel gelding owned and shown by Jared Florell, Timnath, CO taking home the Championship buckle.

The winning gelding was also the day's top sale horse bringing a final bid of $9.500. The extra-special gelding sold to Jay Johnson, Wheatland, WY.

Three of the top eight selling horses were Canadian born and bred and offered by Canadian consignors, including the day’s second top seller - Hip 308 “Doc Straws Dude” a 95 AQHA sorrel gelding by Zippy Dude Bandit x Doc O Dude.

He’d been to the rodeos and jackpots, too, and the hauled and won on head horse was offered by Chelsea Driedger, Virden Manitoba and sold to Sweeney Livestock, Lewistown, MT for $6,600.

A great set of geldings were brought to Billings Livestock by well known rodeo and ranching family, Pat Linger, Miles City, MT including Hip 43 “Juniors Cinnamon”.

The 98 AQHA Red Roan son of Gumbo Roany had been ridden in the mountains and been to town, too, could pull anything you could get your rope on, and the 16 hand gentle giant brought $6,500.

Miles City, MT cowhands were well represented and well mounted as the third/fourth place “Best of the Remuda” winner, Russ Burrows, offered Hip 42 “Krogs Baker” a 96 AQHA Gray Gelding x Krogs Leo Mount.

The soggy gray gelding moved to McMinnville, TN with Carolyn Richmond for $6,100.

Raised by Sid Newman, Melstone, MT and owned since a weanling by Miles City cowboy Mike Landers, Hip 156 “To Johnny Hughes” a 98 AQHA Dun gelding had seen four solid years of ranch work in big country.

The quality using horse brought $4,750.

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 with lessened demand.

Ranch and using geldings brought from $1,300 to $9,500.

Sale averages include the top five at $6,960; top ten brought $6,115; Top 20 at $5,175; Top 50 brought $3,999, and the top 100 averaged $3,154.

In the loose horse division - as is, where is, how is - the day's top horse brought $2,000, followed by $1,900, $1,850, with the top five averaging $1,790, top ten averaged $1,570, top 20 brought $1,309; Top 50 at $995; And the top 100 averaged $775.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for June 26 and will feature “Team Penning” horses. All classes and types of horses will sell, from prospects, mares, stallions, and finished horses. An open, draw-pot team penning is set for Friday, June 25 at 2 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 morning. Ride horse preview 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

SALE REPORT:  APRIL 24 - 25

Out of the Box

Billings, MT - Rope horses lead the way as white collar professionals - ropers, reiners, cutters, and reined cowhorses - all arena ready and finished in their particular profession - swelled the “Top Twenty Sellers” listing at Billings Livestock Commission’s “Rope Horse Special and April Catalog Sale” April 24 - 25.

Every horse in the top twenty had a career - 14 of the 20 were rope horses, four were cutters, and one reiner and a reined cowhorse rounded off the count.

A rocky mountain spring weekend welcomed 794 head of horses including 90 head of “Rope” horses eligible to compete in the pre-sale team roping jackpot on Friday afternoon in the BLS Arena.

The well attended rope horse “show and tell” - designed to give the buyer and seller and honest opportunity to show and see the horses in action - hosted 99 teams with Travis Griemsman, Ft. Collins, CO heading on Hip 48 and Ryan Rochlitz, Glendive, MT aboard Hip 36 taking home the championship buckles.

Rope horses brought from $800 to $9750.

He came home raised and sired by the hottest cutting horse sire in America, and Hip 134 “Ima Clever Boonsmal” a 2000 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Peptoboonsmal and out of a $39,000 money earning mother by Smart Little Lena took “Best of Show” and the weekend’s top sale honors.

The finished cutter - a finalist at Meadow View Ranch and Central Utah Futurities, and a Montana CHA Champion, came with nearly $2,000 in NCHA earnings, having been trained and shown by Shane Prescott, Twin Falls, ID.

Raised and owned by Manny and Mary Ann Fernandez, Long Beach, CA the gelding with the goods brought $18,000 and sold to Jay Proost, Twin Falls, ID.

Two of the the top five selling horses were calf horses - both mares and both the hard to find kind - bringing $9,750 and $7,500.

Poison in the roping pen, Hip 25 “Whos Heartbreak” a 97 AQHA Bay mare x Sons Who x Son O Sugar had been hauled and won on at PRCA and regional rodeos and was offered by Paul Cope, Nampa, ID.

The exceptional mare brought $9,750 and sold to Lee Caldwell, Lehi, UT.

Blonde and all business, Hip 144 “Max Spring Bid” a 99 APHA Palomino mare x Black Eyed Max came from Canada and Shawn Williamson.

The finished calf and heel horse had seen ranch and pasture use and went home with Dusty Thomas, Moorcroft, WY for $7,500.

Stallions had sting with three gracing the top twenty, including Hip 200 “Sunsational Dondi” a 98 AQHA Gray x Sunsational Shadow.

Head, heel or just ride around and look good, the pretty fellow turned heads, came consigned by Kevin and Joan Sedivec, Cummings, ND, brought $7,800, and left with Dennis Nelson, Sheridan, MT.

Sale averages include the top five at $10,150, top ten averaged $8,495, top 20 brought $6,942, top 50 $5,110, while the top 100 head of horses sold averaged $3,906.

Demand for gentle ranch and stock geldings continues to be strong, while true value was again found in the younger, less experienced horses. Using geldings brought from $1,500 to $5,000.

Loose horses ran rampant with 323 head offered “as is, how is, where is” - from riders to buckers - with Billings Livestock’s loose horse market again setting the pace for the nation.

The top horse on the loose demanded $1,925, followed by $1,500, and $1,300.

Loose horse averages came in at $1,460 on the top five - that‘s a $100 per head increase over 2003; top ten at $1,260; Top 20 brought $1,108, the top 50 averaged $915 - that‘s $64 per head over last year - and the top 100 head of loose horses brought $750 - again, a $64 per head increase from a year ago.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for May 22 - 23 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 5 p.m. Friday, May 21 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 406-245-4151 or see it all at www.billingslivestock.com

March 27 - 28, 2004 SALE REPORT 

The Genuine Article

Safe, sound, and user friendly - folks came to buy the good guys with the good looks and the good job at Billings Livestock’s “Spring Special Catalog Sale” featuring “Outfitters, Guides, Guest, and Dude horses” March 27 - 28.

From Alaska to Alabama, California to Wisconsin, 510 registered buyers attended the two-day sale event where 686 head of horses scattered to 19 states and two Canadian provinces.

A mighty market - all classes, all divisions, all the way through - attested by the all-time low “pass out” or “no sale” rate of only 5%.

Geldings were golden as 16 of the top 20 selling horses were geldings, three of them grade. Geldings in the top twenty brought from $7,250 to $3,700.

It ran high, wild, and wicked, and a packed house on Sunday witnessed an over-the-top loose horse division where the top 50 horses sold loose - that’s as is, where is, how is - not ridden in , lead in, or talked about - average over $1,100 a head.

On the loose, the top five averaged nearly $2,000 a head, the top 10 at $1,765, top 20 brought $1,508, and the top 100 loose horses - that’s one out of three loose horses sold - brought $875.

He came blue colored and blue blooded, and Hip 143 “My Blue Frost” a 97 AQHA Blue Roan Stallion sired by Frosty Feature and out of a Happy Cardinal bred dam was the weekend’s top sale horse bringing a final bid of $15,000.

Bred and raised by respected horseman Bob Jordan of Harrison, NE and sired by his famous stallion, the ranch ridden, real using stallion came consigned by Lewis McGill, Powderville, MT.

Having a keen eye for quality, Arapahoe Ranch, Thermopolis, WY purchased the stallion extraordinaire.

Gelded sons of Doc’s Oak, Chick N San, Dual Pep, and Doc’s Sug - all with seasoned educations and all four years old or older - brought $7,250, $7,000, $7,000, and $6,800, respectively.

Justin Martin, Evanston, WY offered Hip 64 “Bueno Slic Cutter” a 99 AQHA Bay gelding x Chick N San . The reined cowhorse competitior had learned his basics on the ranch where he had been used to rope, doctor, and sort.

The pretty, usable fellow brought $7,000 and sold to Bronc Maloney, Hysham, MT.

They came to town in their work clothes and the home-raised, home-used four horse hitch of Willie, Wanda, Harvey, and Harriet, were truly a sale highlight. All four were broke to ride, pack, drive single, double, 3,4,5, and 6 up.

They were all raised on the Waid Ranch, Havre, MT and proudly offered by Lon and Stacey Waid, and ranged in age from three to 11.

Willie and Wanda, 11 and 9 years old, brought $7,000 and sold to Duaine Hagen, Douglas, WY, while Harvey and Harriet, both three, brought $6,000 and sold to Larry Thomas, Bozeman, MT.

T Triangle Quarter Horses, Miles City, MT consigned two big, stout, ranch used geldings that they raised including Hip 128 “Te Tri Diamond Blaze” a 96 AQHA Sorrel gelding x Diamond Lode and out of a Tee Jay Super Jack bred mare.

Used to rope yearlings and run horses in the big country, the quiet, sensible gelding brought $4,300.

Wowk Ranch, Beavallon, Alberta consigned ten head of the bigger, draft cross type geldings, coming gentle broke and colorful.

Draft cross’ brought from $800 to $2,200 depending on age, size and experience.

Sale averages - from top to bottom - include the top five at $8,650; Top ten brought $7,420; Top 20 selling horses averaged $5,953; Top 50 came in at $4,160; while the top 100 head averaged $3,190.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 24 - 25 and will feature the sixth annual “Rope Horse Special” catalog sale and regular monthly horse sale.

A jackpot team roping - open only to sale horses - will kick off the weekend’s activities on Friday, April 23, where buyers and sellers alike will have the opportunity to watch the rope horses under competition circumstances.

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 April 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.

FEBRUARY 28-29 SALE REPORT:

Pretty Boys -

Stallions Seize Top Sale Positions

Sons and daughters of super stallions - Peppy San Badger, Doc O’Lena, Smart Little Lena, and Freckles Playboy - captured the top six sale spots at Billings Livestock Commission’s “February Special Catalog Sale” February 28 - 29.

The top six selling horses - four stallions and two mares - each packed their own performance or produce records - and commanded a $26,833 average.

With 458 buyers registered for the two-day sale blitz, horses sold to 17 states and three Canadian provinces.

A strong market from start to finish saw 540 head of horses offered over the weekend with a mere 6% no-sale or pass out percentage.

Canada took home three of the four top selling stallions including the day’s top sale horse “Some Little Peppy” a 92 AQHA sorrel x Peppy San Badger.

Consigned by the Krebs Ranch, Inc., Gordon, NE, the perfectly pretty stud horse was a finished reiner. His dam - an own daughter of Doc Bar - brought her performance and halter points to the mix.

Producing ropers, reiners, cutters, and ranch horses, and with Krebs Ranch retaining every daughter he sired to date, “Some Little Peppy” sold to Rory and Geraldine Patton, Buck Lake, Alberta for $40,000.

Matching the day’s top sale price was “Farily Smart” a 97 AQHA Sorrel stallion by Smart Little Lena.

Sired by the NCHA Triple Crown winner and sire of earners of over $28 million, “Fairly Smart” also boasted a big-time mama “Lil Peppy Fair” x Peppy San Badger - a full sister to Little Tenina.

With earnings and a style of his own, the stallion sold to Kaufman Woodbury, LLC, Buffalo, WY.

An incredible genetic package - his sire is Doc O’Lena and sharing the same mother as Smart Chic O’Lena - Gay Sugar Chic - the proven stallion “Shawn O’Lena” had acquired $43,000 in earnings himself.

The big, athletic stallion boasted 35 first place wins and came consigned by Shane Prescott, Twin Falls, ID.

Canim Lake Quarter Horses, Canim Lake, British Columbia, purchased the big-time stallion for $31,000.

Working ranch and arena geldings were in strong demand with the weekend’s top selling gelding bringing $7,000, followed by $6,800, and $6,000. Top five geldings averged $6,180.

Rope horses, cutting horses, and saddle horses previewed to a full house on Friday afternoon at the Horse Palace Arena.

The inclusive average on every gelding sold under saddle - 138 head - all ages, sizes, experience, both registered and grade - was $2,234 - with 97 registered at $2,509 and 41 grade using geldings at $1,583.

Billings Livestock welcomed National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, including World Champion cowboys to the “NFR Session” of the February Sale, including Deb Greenough, Bruce Ford, Bill Parker, Loyd Ketchum, Ike Sankey, Harold Baumgartner, and Colin Murnion.

Hip 209 “Versaryclassyson” a 94 APHA Sorrel Overo Gelding x Versarys Blossom was shown in the pre-sale preview and had won money barrel racing and team penning.

The elite gelding had worked on ranches in four states branding, doctoring, and holding herd. The one-owner gelding came consigned by Jeff Etheridge, Hayden Lake, ID and sold to Jay Linderman, Savery WY for $7,000.

Overall sale averages include the top five at $29,200; Top ten at $20,625; Top 20 averaged $13,737, followed by the top 50 at $8,079, and the top 100 head brought $5,347.

Loose horses met with a raging market where the day’s top loose horse - offered as is, where is, how is - brought $2,500.

With 220 head offered loose the averages include the top five at $1,645, top 10 at $1,417, top 20 came in at $1,207, top 50 at $896, followed by the top 100 - nearly one-half - at $668.

Billings Livestock’s next sale event will be March 27-28 and will feature the “Spring Catalog Sale” featuring foundation-bred horses and a special session of Outfitters, Guest, and Dude Ranch horses.

Loose horses will sell Sunday, March 28 at 9 a.m.

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

January 24, 2004  Sale Report

Western Mix

A “little bit of everything” peppered Billings Livestock Commission’s January 24 “Winter Special Catalog Sale” with a horse happy crowd eagerly bidding on everything from tack, teams, to tip-top pedigreed progeny.

And - the horses came to town - baited by a better weather weekend - as officially, Billings Livestock welcomed 512 head of horses for the one-day sale event.

Grab those record books and write this one down - only 17 head of the entire day’s offering were passed out or “no saled” by the consignor - that’s 3% - living proof of the strength of the day’s trade.

Horses scattered to 13 states and Canada including Alaska, California, and Nevada.

A bell-ringer loose horse business saw 220 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 baby, as is, where is, how is - averaging right at $400 a piece.

Loose horse averages tell the story where the sale topper cashed in at $1,800 and the top five averaged $1,250, top ten $1,052, top twenty saw $903, top 50 came in at $712 and the top 100 - that’s nearly half - average $571.

Offering only collectible and used tack, the “Cabin Fever Tack Sale” seized a captive audience where the once-a-year tack event - held each January at BLS - sold bits to bridles and saddles to carriages, with the top pieces - a carriage and a set of spurs - commanding $2,000 and $1,500 respectively.

Ca. 1900 - 1930 and built by early Wyoming bit and spur maker Rex Schnitger, Gillette, Wy the exquisite pair of spurs sold to a Utah collector.

In the gelding department, the day’s top selling using horse wore the buckskin color and had a big dose of gentle and Hip 4 “Chaps” a 95 grade buckskin gelding brought $5,100.

Consigned by Billie Jo Symonds, Lodge Grass, MT, the big, solid horse sold to Darrell Luther, Forsyth, MT.

Good work teams gathered interest where two teams were offered - both had been used for feeding and were honest - bringing $2,600 and $3,400, with age, gender, and size the variables.

“Dual Valentine” a 97 AQHA Sorrel Mare by the famous Bar H sire Dual Pep - and out of a Doc O’Lena daughter, topped the day’s sale.

Offered by ARA Horse Company, Bixby, OK the trained cutting mare sold bred to D J Tracker and brought a final bid of $12,000.

All inclusive sale averages include the top five at $7,290; top ten at $5,355; top twenty at $3,972; Top fifty came in at $2,664, and the top 100 head of horse sold averaged $1,792.

February 28-29 will be the next horse sale event at Billings Livestock and will feature the “February Catalog Sale” highlighted by a special, limited session of “Sons and Daughters” of Champions and Money Earners in addition to the NFR Session.

A preview of the rope horses, cutting horses, and saddle horses is set for Friday, February 27 at 1 p.m. Horse Palace Arena.

For more information, to consign, or to request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or 1-800-635-7364. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com

             For more information, to consign, or to request a catalog, contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers at 406-245-4151 or 1-800-635-7364. See it all at www.billingslivestock.com

               Like the reports?  See even more at:  Past Horse Sales Reports

 If you would like to receive a catalog, please e-mail us at 

horsesales@billingslivestock.com

  or call us.  Thank you!  

Contact Bill and Jann Parker, BLS Horse Sale Managers, at 406-245-4151 for more information.