Colorado State University’s Annual Legends of Ranching Sale Location and Date Change

Colorado State University today announced a location change for the 3rd annual Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale. The 2008 sale will be hosted at the Colorado State University B.W. Pickett Equine Center at Overland Trail. In addition to the location change, the date of the sale will be moved from mid-March to April 26.

"The change of location gives the Colorado State equine sciences program a great opportunity to showcase our facility," said Dr. Jim Heird, director of teaching and outreach for the equine sciences program.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale will boast its highest-quality collection of consigners to date, which includes a group of this country’s most successful equine leaders, ranches and horseman. The consignors will include Burnett Ranches Ltd. (6666); Valley Oak Ranch; Bartlett Ranch Wyoming; KeSa Quarter Horses; Cowan Select Horses LLC at Windward Stud; Ritchey Land & Cattle Co.; Pete Becker Ranch, Inc.; Wagonhound Land & Livestock; Major Cattle Co.; T-Cross Ranches; Bogle Ranches; S Ranch; Singleton Ranches – San Cristobal Ranch; Tongue River Ranch; Tule Ranch; DVD Farm & Ranch Inc.; Saunders & Saunders Cattle Co.; and Purina Mills.

Colorado State students enrolled in sales management and preparation, horse training and event management classes will experience a busy two semesters, culminating in the sale on April 26. Students will use their classroom knowledge in a hands-on setting while working alongside equine professionals. Students will plan and advertise the sale and train and fit 2- and 3-year-old fillies and geldings from some of the nation’s top ranches.

"Ultimately, the Legends sale is about the students and giving them a unique hands-on learning experience while also exposing them to the ins and outs of the equine sales industry. With the help of industry professionals like Jim Ware from Western Bloodstock, Bill and Carol Smith from the Wyoming Quarter Horse Ranch Sale, Robin Glenn with Robin Glenn Pedigrees and Alex Maddox from adsfactory.com, students will learn what it takes to make a sale successful," Heird said.

At the 2007 Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, 44 ranch-bred horses were sold with an average price of $5,401. The highlight of the sale was Jacks Strait Shot, a 6-year-old grey gelding sired by Jack Nasty out of Ms Silver Commander, consigned by the Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co. The gelding was sold by auctioneer Don Green for $23,500. The Pitchfork Land & Cattle Co. is a 175,000 acre ranch in Dickens, Texas. They are a true legend in the ranching community and continually produce top-working horses for the industry.  

"The Legends of Ranching Sale is the result of hard work from our faculty, students, advisory committee members and consultants," Heird said. "This sale gives students a tremendous learning opportunity. Through the sale, the equine sciences program and the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale will continue offering versatile horses from time-honored bloodlines, ranches and training methods."

An educational day on April 25 will feature seminars and clinics presented by members of the university’s equine sciences advisory committee and a number of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale consignors. Possible topics include training and preparation of the halter horse, starting young ranch horses, what to look for at a horse sale and potential career paths and expectations of those looking to enter the equine industry.

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