2013 Billings Livestock April Special Catalog Sale - April 27 -28, Billings, MT
The presale jackpot was full of action as 160 teams competed on sale horses. Mares with an occupation enjoyed stronger demand as five mares cracked the top 20 sellers listing including Hip 207 "Latigos Poco San" a 2007 AQHA Buckskin Mare x Latigos Luck Two consigned by Clay Shoop, Greeley, CO. Shown in the jackpot on the heeling side, the stingy mare brought $7,500 and sold to Dawn Thompson, Camas, WA. Photo courtesy of WE Photographics.
Rope Horses Catch Fire
Tuned up and ready-to-roll, rope horses put on a show at Billings Livestock's 15th annual "April Special Catalog Sale" April 27-28.
Shine they did in the pre-sale rope horse jackpot held outside under sunny skies on a Friday afternoon at the HorsePalace Arena.
Sale weekend kicked off with a roping seminar conducted by PRCA World Champion and 23X NFR qualifier Mike Beers and followed by the roping produced by Dennis Tryan and the Wrangler Team Roping Championships.
The professional jackpot welcomed 160 teams in a two-go-around and finals format roping that put it all out there for the buyers to see.
If you wanted good geldings, prospects, or the finished kind, there was a horse for all levels and budges as Billings Livestock had them in volume at the two-day sale event that drew 794 head of horses and 56 roping steers.
First place in the average with 20.12 on 3 earned Hip 229 owned by H Lazy H Horses and Hip 233 owned by Jon Herschberger paychecks of $536/man, Gordy Alderson Trophy bits, Gator Ropes from the The Rope Shop, and BLS Championship Jackets.
An impressive set of horses came to Billings, Montana with red hot sale averages testifying to quality.
The top 20 averaged an all-time April high of $12,427.
Leading the pack in the Rope Horse Session was a one owner, family raised gelding offered by Roger Mack and Jody Wacker, Melstone, MT.
Hip 172 "Bogger Too" a 2000 AQHA Chestnut gelding x Badgers Rodeo Red and out of a Dial Of Fortune daughter was the total package - voted the 2010 Northern Rodeo Association Calf Horse of the Year in 2010, the big, strong, gentle horse had also cashed paychecks heading and heeling.
The Wacker girls had barrel raced on him, used him for ranch chores, and he'd also been breakaway on.
Cashing a fast go check in the BLS jackpot, showing outstanding in the previews, the good gelding brought $22,000 and sold to L-G Land and Cattle, Casper, WY.
The high selling horse of the weekend was offered by Bud Fay, Gillette, WY and Hip 224 "Shiney Darlin" a 2006 AQHA Palomino Mare x Shining Spark and out of Tari Darlin x Taris Catalyst was bred and raised by Carol Rose.
The flawless mare came loaded with credentials including the 2011 PHBA World Champion Junior Working Cowhorse title, NRCHA money earners, and AQHA Open Point earner.
James Moldenhauer, Velva, ND purchased the stunning mare for $24,000.
Head, heel, ranch, or just ride around, Hip 183 "BCS Wyo Rocket" a 2005 AQHA Bay Roan Gelding x Bubba Roan Cowboy was the deal.
Used in the roping clinic as the demonstration horse, roped on in the jackpot and previews by Mike Beers, and offered by Trent Peterson, Claresholm, Alberta, the gentle, kind gelding sold to Shane and Jaimie Johnson, New Town, ND for $16,000.
Mares with an occupation enjoyed stronger demand as five mares cracked the top 20 sellers listing including Hip 207 "Latigos Poco San" a 2007 AQHA Buckskin Mare x Latigos Luck Two consigned by Clay Shoop, Greeley, CO.
Shown in the jackpot on the heeling side, the stingy mare brought $7,500 and sold to Dawn Thompson, Camas, WA.
A fun sale, loaded with good horses, saw the best April sale averages on record for BLS and included the top five at $19,200; Top ten at $16,000. Top 20 averaged $12,427; Top 50 brought $8,519; and the top 100 averaged $5,962.
Loose horses sold well with the top five prospects bringing $1,325; Top ten at $1,257; Top 20 averaged $1,105, top 50 brought $774 and the top 100 loose averaged $550.
Billings Livestock's next sale event is set for May 25-26 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 Friday, May 24 at the HorsePalace Arena, Exit 437 on I-90.
Cattle will be available 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