Fourth Annual Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale a Success

Colorado State University’s Equine Sciences program hosted another successful Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale on April 25 at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center in Fort Collins. This year’s sale set a new record for high-selling 2- or 3-year-olds and showed an increase in the average of the top five sellers and an increase in the average of the 2- & 3-year-olds.

The highest-selling 2- or 3-year-old ever to pass through the Legends of Ranching sale ring – also the high-selling horse in 2009 – was Hey Im Cashin In. This 3-year-old gelding was consigned by Cowan Select Horses, LLC of Havre, Mont., and was sired by CSU reference sire Hey Houston. Hey Im Cashin In was sold for $19,500.

Another highlight of the 2009 sale was the overall quality of the 2- & 3-year-olds. Evidence of the quality of this group of horses was seen in the average of the top 10 2- & 3-year-olds, which increased from $5,220 in 2008 to $7,200 in 2009.

"This was by far the nicest group of 2- & 3-year-olds we have ever had in our program.  The consignors continue to bring better horses every year," said Dr. Jim Heird, Director of Teaching & Outreach for the Equine Sciences program. "We can’t wait to see what the ranches bring us next year."

A new record was also set for the average of the top five horses sold, which increased from $12,760 in 2008 to $13,540 in 2009.

An estimated 600 people attended the sale, and the sale website was accessed more than 3,400 times in the month leading up to the sale.

"Interest in our sale is growing each year," said Heird. "It really says something about the quality of the horses and integrity of the ranches in this program that we can draw more people and set new records in a down economy. This is a special event, and it is managed by our students."

In 2009, the consigning ranches that participated in the event included Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker Ranch, Bogle Ltd. Co., Burnett Ranches, LLC (6666), Cowan Select Horses, LLC, Crofoot Ranches, LLP, Hanging H Ranch, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Ritchey Land & Cattle Co., S Ranch Ltd., Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Tongue River Ranch, Tule Ranch, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.  

To learn more about the sale and to view complete sale results, please visit www.csuequine.com. For more information, call (970) 491-8373.

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