On finals weekend of the 50th National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, reined cow horse enthusiasts had an opportunity to shop the elite Western Bloodstock Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales. The market was strong as proven by the 91 percent sell-through rate and solid $15,000 sales average. This year’s sales showed a marked increase over 2018 when an 84 percent sell-through and $12,000 average were reported. Encouraged by the $120,000 NRCHA Western Bloodstock Sale Incentive money that was awarded to successful sale graduates during the 2019 Snaffle Bit Futurity, buyers selected for proven genetics from respected breeding programs with incentives in mind. Optimism is strong with buyers undoubtedly excited to get their new prospects on track for next year and beyond.
An added attraction to the sales this year was the National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association (NRCHyA) Stallion Auction. Gracious donations from stallion owners enabled the NRCHyA to generate funds that help sustain scholarships, clinics and other beneficial youth activities, as well as benefit the NRCHA Foundation. The breeding fees, plus a gift certificate toward purchase of a Jeff Smith’s Custom Saddle, were auctioned at the start of Session I and Session II raising an incredible $35,800.
The 2020 breeding fees were auctioned off during the Yearling and Broodmare Sale Sessions for the following stallions (Stallion/Ranch/Purchase Price/Buyer):
CD Diamond, donated by San Juan Ranch – $1,600, Brittain Roberts
CR Gotcha Covered, donated by Joel Colgrove, Sr. – $1,500, Ty Smith
Dual Smart Rey, donated by Strawn Valley Ranch – $3,200, James Russell
Hashtags, donated by Hashtag Ventures, LP – $3,700, Burnett Ranches, LLC
Hickory Holly Time, donated by DT Horses, LLC – $1,700, Jeremy Cox
Kit Kat Sugar, Donated by Barbara Allsup – $3,000, Shawn Hays
Meteles Cat, donated by Cody Hedlund – $2,200, Emily and Casey Smith
One Fine Vintage, donated by Robertson Ranches – $1,000, Jeremy and Candace Barwick
One Time Pepto, donated by Matthews Cutting Horses – $5,900, Jason Parker
SJR Diamond Mist donated by San Juan Ranch – $1,000, Jeremy and Candace Barwick
Time For The Diamond, donated by Triple D Ranches, LLC – $2,000, James Perry
Jeff Smith Custom Saddle certificate – $9,000, Rocking P Ranch, LLC
Western Bloodstock Snaffle Bit Futurity Sale Highlights
From the Performance Horse, Select 2-Year-Old, and Select Yearling and Broodmare Sale Sessions I and II, the nine highest selling lots changed hands for over $50,000. Included in this report are those horses breaking the $50,000 threshold, as well as the high selling 2-year-old.
High Selling Yearlings
The overall high seller was Lot 2084, DT Mr Catsanova (Hickory Holly Time x Cat Mist x Highbrow Cat). The 2018 black stallion consigned by DT Horses, LLC, commanded a $77,000 bid from Mark Cross on Saturday, October 19 in John Justin Sale Arena during the Select Yearling and Broodmare Sale Session II. The royally bred prospect is NRCHA Stakes eligible, National Cutting Horse Association Super Stakes nominated, and National Reining Breeders Classic enrolled. DT Mr Catsanova’s dam Cast Mist ($70,261) produced NRCHA Open Futurity Champion SJR Diamond Mist (x CD Diamond), LTE $179,883. Cast Mist is the dam of 24 foals aged 3 and over with $848,232 in earnings, according to the sale catalog.
Lot 2035 in Session II, Cats Nu Shine (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark) was the third high seller overall at $65,000. The 2018 sorrel mare consigned by leading AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder Wagonhound Land & Livestock is NRCHA Stakes eligible. Cats Nu Shine is out of the mare Shiney Nu Annie, an NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Champion and earner of $104,961 herself. Clinton Marshall made the purchase.
Lot 2065 in Session II, LBR Chic Olena (Smart Chic Olena x Peptos Church Mouse x Peptoboonsmal), was consigned by Charles Burger and sold for $60,000 to Blue Allen. The 2018 red roan filly is NRCHA Stakes eligible. Sired by the legendary Smart Chic Olena (LTE $167,471), LBR Chic Olena is out of the mare Peptos Church Mouse, an earner of $110,844, and producer of eight foals with four money earners according to the catalogue.
Lot 2081, Hickorys Chex Mix, was DT Horses’ second high seller and the seventh high selling horse overall. The 2018 red roan colt sold for $57,000 to Melissa Garbrick. NRCHA Stakes eligible, NCHA Super Stakes nominated and NRBC enrolled, the colt is a full sibling to 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Champion Nineteen Ten (Hickory Holly Time x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark). The blue hen mare Lil Miss Shiney Chex is the dam of NRCHA money earners of $381,305 (prior to the SBF), among them Blind Sided (LTE $212,764), Reys A Shine (LTE $100,292) and 2019 Open SBF Finalist SarahTrashya (x GunnaTrashYa).
High Selling Broodmares
The second high seller overall and high selling broodmare was Lot 2012, Tazs Dreamgirl (Pepto Taz x Montana Suenos x Montana Doc). The 2007 bay mare consigned by Kathleen Moore commanded a final bid of $75,000 from Robert Simpson during the Select Yearling and Broodmare Sale Session II. An earner of $106,229 herself, Tazs Dreamgirl sold in foal to Fults Ranch’s 2015 NCHA Open Futurity Champion Stevie Rey Von (LTE $420,903) with the foal in utero being eligible for the NRCHA Stakes.
The second high selling broodmare, Lot 1092 Nurseware (Dual Rey x Readytoware x Peptoboonsmal), was eighth high seller overall at $55,000 to Susan Steward. Consigned by Wagonhound Land & Livestock, the 2007 sorrel mare sold in foal to WR This Cats Smart with the foal in utero being NRCHA Stakes eligible. Nurseware produced NRCHA money-earners Smart Lookin Nurse (LTE $99,070) and Wares The Nurse (LTE $23,829).
Lot 2109 Playgirls Miss Grace changed hands on the strength of a $52,000 bid from Ty Smith. Consigned by WW Ranch, LLC, the 2005 bay mare by Mister Dual Pep and out of the Freckles Playboy daughter Playgirls Miss Cross sold with an NRCHA Stakes eligible embryo by Hashtags. Playgirls Miss Grace has NRCHA earnings of $99,429, which includes a third place finish at the 2008 SBF. She is the dam of 2019 NRCHA Open Futurity finalist Playgirls Merada Cat.
High Selling Stallions
Two notable stallions that each sold for $50,000 were sale highlights. Selling in the Performance Horse Section on Friday, October 18, Lot 1004 Cats Shiney Pistols, was consigned by Roxanne Koepsell. The 2013 sorrel stallion by Smooth As a Cat and out of the Shining Spark mare Shiners Lil Pistol is an NRCHA earner of $49,318 and enrolled in the NRHA Nomination Program. The 6-year-old proven reined cow horse in training with Todd Bergen sold for $50,000 to Don Murphy.
Consigned by Hes Wright On Partnership, Lot 1077 Hes Wright On (Lenas Wright On x Shesa Lota Nic x Reminic) dropped the gavel at a bid of $50,000 from Fults Ranch. The 2003 bay stallion boasts numerous NRCHA accolades, including the title of NRCHA Open Bridle World Champion and lifetime earnings of $172,067. The leading NRCHA sire sold on Friday in Session I.
High Selling 2-Year-Old
Topping the 2-year-old sale was Lot 1008 DKS Boon Cat consigned by Turner West Performance Horses, LLC. In training with D.J. Bennett, the 2017 red roan stallion by SBF champion sire Once In A Blu Boon and out of Skeets My Bro x Docs Curious Cat sold for $29,000 and is NRCHA Stakes eligible.
Visit www.NRCHA.com for the latest results, show schedules and information on how you can get involved.
