There’s only one. Place. Like it. Billings
Billings Livestock’s March 27 “Spring Special Catalog Sale” showcased Outfitters, Guide, Guest, and Trail Horses and……mules!! Drafts and draft crosses by the dozens, mules by the bunches – the 23rd annual March recreational showcase draws nationwide interest.
Held each and every March, the sale with the recreational twist offered drafts and draft crosses by the dozens, mules by the bunches, and solid trail mounts as well as prospects throughout the catalog offering.
A one-day total of 487 head of horses, mules, and one yak – were offered with only four no-sales or pass outs.
March’s Number One – Hip 86 “Mick” a 2014 Grade Black and White Draft Cross Gelding offered by Duane Gilbert, Encampment, WY was a combo of rodeo and recreation – he’d been used as a pickup horse from rodeos like Cheyenne Frontier Days to the College National Finals, been on the ranch, ridden in the mountains, hauled on the heeling side to jackpots, too – and earned top sale honors at $30,000.
A stout top five average of $20,400 included two drafts, a team, a fancy mare, and a standout leopard app gelding.
Runnerup sale honors to Hips 198 and 198X “Pete and Pet” a team of Grade Paint Draft Crosses – a mare and a gelding – consigned by Orva Yoder, Hulett, WY. Ride, drive, or pack, the seasoned team had worked all farm machinery, had been used this winter to move and feed round bales, were shown in the previews both riding and driving, and brought $19,000.
Record setting March averages include top five at $20,400, top ten at $16,670; top 20 at $13,620; top 50 at $10,133; Top 100 at $8,003.
Affordability lives here, too – 50 head of catalog horses and mules brought between $6,750 and $5,200.
The Billings loose horse market – those horses sold as is, where is, how is, with no rider, no speech – continues to be at an all time high, lead off by the potential ride prospects with a top of $6,700 followed by $6,600 and $5,900, pushing the top five ave to $5,640; Top ten at $4,800; top 20 at $4,115; top 50 aty $3,084; top 100 at $2,413.
There were 258 head sold in the loose session.
Billings Livestock’s next sale event is set for April 24 and will feature the 23th annual “Rope Horse Special” catalog sale and regular monthly horse sale.
Lots of cattle, lots of opportunities to watch the rope horses, including a jackpot team roping open only to sale horses set for Friday, April 23 at the HorsePalace Arena.
Consign and see what’s coming at www.billingslivestock.com