Private Selection Sale A Success in its Inaugural Year

On March 21, 2015 the inaugural Private Selection Sale was held at the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM. In a successful first year, the sale saw an average of $15,762 on 21 head of aged riding horses, with the top five averaging $25,200. The sale raised $13,000 for the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM Educational Fund.

The Private Selection Sale represents a partnership between the Texas A&M University Equine Initiative, the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM, and AuctionWare, LLC, and was developed in an effort to support education. In addition to the funds raised to support scholarships and educational grants through the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM, the sale offered a unique educational opportunity for students at Texas A&M University. The sale was managed by students in the Equine Sales Management class taught by Anna Morrison. Ultimately, the event incorporated the six Equine Sales Management students, as well as an additional 42 student volunteers from Texas A&M University. Veterans of the equine sales industry and longtime supporters of equine educational programs, Jim and Carolyn Ware of Millsap, Texas offered their guidance and the support of their company, AuctionWare, LLC, to help make the sale a success.

Hand selected by Dr. Jim Heird, executive professor and coordinator for the Equine Initiative, The Private Selection Sale consignments were dubbed “Houston Horses.”
These horses were consigned by trusted and reputable horsemen, and were selected because of their quiet, calm, well-mannered temperaments, as well as their athleticism and attractiveness. Highlights of the sale included AQHA World Champion Ranch Pleasure gelding Show Biz Sug ($29,500), consigned by Mozaun McKibben and Hillary Zimmerman of Salt Creek Ranch, and two-time AQHA Reserve World Champion Versatility Ranch Horse gelding WM Blasted Smart ($26,500), consigned by Wes and Sarah Williams of Dove Creek Ranch. In total, the sale attracted more than 140 registered bidders, and well over 500 attendees.

If you are interested in learning more about The Private Selection Sale or the Texas A&M University Equine Initiative, contact the Equine Initiative offices at 979-845-6098 or tamuequine@tamu.edu

(Photo courtesy of Jay Hardy Photography.)