Signs of the times at 2008 NCHA Futurity Sale

In any other horse arena, results of the 2008 NCHA Futurity Sales would be good news. Compared to recent years, however, the sales average was down 36 percent overall, not surprising in light of the all encompassing economic crisis.

"The cutting horse market and the global economy are what they are due to factors that none of us can control," said Jim Ware, president and director of marketing for Western Bloodstock, which has produced the NCHA Futurity Sales for the past nine years. "The only thing we can control is how we react to the changes and what we do for the future."

International growth and increase in purses has made cutting the fastest growing segment of the show horse industry. So it is interesting to compare the results of the 2008 sales with those of previous years.

"To me the annual chart that we produce tells the story of what is going on in the market," said Ware. "It shows the ups and downs over the nine years that Western Bloodstock has been producing the NCHA sales. We have sold record high horses in every category. Will the market go back up? You bet. It always does. And there are things people can do in the meantime.

"This is the perfect time to buy quality mares and bred them to good stallions. Quality always wins. It doesn't necessarily mean the horse that's won the most money. Quality is a well-bred horse that has performed well and that is a good-looking individual. People are always in the market for a pretty, well-bred horse."

Ware pointed out that in the crash of the late 1980s and early 1990s, many people benefitted from the purchase of well-bred mares, which increased in value after purchase and produced top show prospects. Buyers currently have similar opportunities, but they should be discerning and purchase wisely.

"This is also a good time for people to learn more about these horses in general, so that they can improve their stock," Ware noted. "I'm not talking about "magic crosses," that you see written about. There is no such thing as a magic cross. But it's a fact that knowledgeable breeders produce quality because they know good horses and they understand how to raise and manage them.

"We don't want to stop breeding horses, because the large number of entries at our major aged events demand a large number of prospects. But there are too many average horses and we can do something about that, by breeding wisely and caring properly for the babies, when they are developing."

In the short and long term, Ware is excited about the cutting horse industry. "People will continue to cut because they love it," he said. "The bottom line is that they do it because they love it.

"Our business is like the art world - it's a matter of what people can afford at the time. The NCHA is going to keep putting on good cuttings and Western Bloodstock is going to conform to market demands and keep putting on good sales."

High seller at the 2008 NCHA Futurity Sales at $250,000 was Kit Dual, consigned by Dick Brown of Tallulah, LA. The 14-year-old stallion, sired by Dual Pep and purchased by James C. Brown, North Port, FL, has sired earners of more than $2 million.

The high-selling broodmare at $220,000 was 8-year-old Playin Tag, bred to Spots Hot. The Playgun daughter, consigned by Barry Livestock, Byron, IL, was 2004 NCHA Super Stakes Open champion and earner of $235,819. She was purchased by Sunrise Ranch, Fayetteville, AR.

Peptos Stylish Sue at $225,000 was the high selling seasoned cutting horse. The 4-year-old daughter of Peptos Stylish Oak, consigned by Barry and Kim Syra, Vequita, NM, was the 2008 NCHA Derby Open champion and earner of $180,000. She sold in training with Boyd Rice to Lee Holsey, Lovelady, TX.

Cats Hitman brought $200,000 from James Hooper, Decatur, AL, as the high selling 2-year-old. The High Brow Cat son, in training with Brad Mitchell, was consigned by Painted Springs Farm. He is half-brother to former NCHA Futurity and Derby non-pro finalist Missing Addition ($66,996).

Smoothee, by Smooth As A Cat out of leading producer Autumn Boon, was the high selling yearling at $200,000. The blue roan filly, whose second dam is all-time leading producer Royal Blue Boon, was consigned by Karen Freeman, Clarksville, TN, and purchased by Teddy Price, Winnfield, LA.

Western Bloodstock also presented New Sire Awards to stallion owners following the New Sire Spotlight Sale. EE Ranches received the award for high selling colt, as owner of Cat Ichi; Royal Vista Equine received the award for high selling filly, as owner of Cats Moonshine; and Matthews Cutting Horses received the award for sire with the highest average, as owner of One Time Pepto.

Col. Don Green, official auctioneer for the NCHA Futurity Sales, was also recognized during the NCHA Futurity presentations as recipient of the NCHA Distinguished Service Award.

Kit Dual - $250,000 Consigned by Dick Brown, Tallulah, Louisiana Purchased by James C. Brown, North Port, Florida

Peptos Stylish Sue - $225,000 Consigned by Barry & Kim Syra, Vequita, New Mexico Purchased by Lee Holsey, Lovelady, Texas

Playin Tag - $220,000 Consigned by Barry Livestock, Byron, Illinois Purchased by Sunrise Ranch, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Cats Hitman - $200,000 Consigned by Painted Springs Farm, Tennessee Purchased by James Hooper, Decatur, Alabama

Smoothee - $200,000 Consigned by Karen Freeman, Clarksville, Tennessee Purchased by Teddy Price, Winnfield, Louisiana

Cat Ichi New Sire Spotlight: High Selling Colt EE Ranches of Texas

Cats Moonshine New Sire Spotlight: High Selling Filly Royal Vista Equine

One Time Pepto New Sire Spotlight: High Average Matthews Cutting Horses

Don Green NCHA Distinguished Service Award