Skip to content

Art Auction is a Successful Fundraiser for American Saddlebred Museum



by Susan Harris

 

The American Saddlebred Museum held its fourth annual auction of art, antiques, and rare books on Saturday, July 14 in the “Round Barn” at The Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky. This year’s sale topper brought a healthy $42,000 bid despite the overall sales total not reaching last year’s record.
 

 

The historic Round Barn at The Red Mile

 

The standing-room-only crowd enjoyed the festivities which including a preview party with food and beverages graciously hosted by Laurel Nelson, Phillipa Sledge, Vicki Reed, and Kenny and Ceil Wheeler.

 

 A full house for the 4th annual art auction

 

Among the seventy-five items auctioned were original oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs, antique posters, books, sculptures, furniture, and other items. This was a consignment auction with the Museum receiving ten percent from each seller’s proceeds and ten percent buyers’ premiums on top of the selling prices. The auction raised more than $37,500 for the Museum before expenses.

 

Walt Robertson and Bill Carrington have served as auctioneer and auction reader respectively for all four years. Museum volunteers and staff were also busy taking telephone bids throughout the auction.

 

Interest in the work of George Ford Morris continued to be strong on the part of buyers and consignors. In fact, 26 of the 75 items listed were Morris works and realized approximately seventy percent of the overall auction proceeds. These included original works, lithographs, photographs, and a book. Eight of the top ten selling items were works by Morris including the top seven.

 

Topping the sale was “Messenger” (circa 1955), a vibrant oil on board that brought $42,000.

 

 

Vicki Reed hands back the signed ticket to

Gayle Strickroot for top-selling Messenger.

 

Second high seller at $21,000 was “Cascade and Robert Moreland,” an original oil on board, signed and dated 1918 depicting the WGC ridden by breeder/
owner/trainer/exhibitor Robert Moreland.


Cascade and Robert Moreland brought

the second highest bid of $21,000

 


 
John Scheidt signs the ticket for Cascade

 

Of particular note was the third highest selling work, “Miss Budweiser,” an original charcoal signed and dated 1952 that brought $17,000. The catalog describes this work as being the result of a artist competition put on by August Busch to honor a mare, loaned by Busch to the US Olympic team, that subsequently won first place in the 1952 Olympic trials. According to George Ford Morris’s brother, Busch declared this picture the competition winner, but Morris refused to sell the work to him. Morris considered it to be one of his best works, but did another for Mr. Busch. It was only fitting after all these years that the winning bidder for this artwork was Kenny Wheeler, a descendant of August Busch. As Wheeler’s wife Ceil stated, “It is now where it belongs.” So true. 

 


Kenny Wheeler signs the ticket for

Miss Budweiser with Kim Skipton looking on.

 

One of the more unusual items included a pair of chromium plated brass Saddlebred hood ornaments (c. 1940’s) that sold for $2,300. A collection of Wing Commander/Dodge Stable memorabilia attracted spirited bidding and a final bid of $2,700. This historic collection included, among other items, two Lennox gold-rimmed plates, 21 farm calendars and Wing Commander’s 1954 Lexington Jr. League 5-Gaited Grand Championship tri-color ribbon.  Unlike prior years, there was only one consignment whose reserve was not met.



Also seen at the Museum’s Auction:

 

(left to right)

Wayne Lowry, Carson Kressley, Ceil Wheeler,

Laurel Nelson, Kenny Wheeler, and J.C. Pierce

 


Lynn Via and her daughter Owen Weaver

 


 










 

More Stories

  • Letter To The Editor

    Dear Kentucky State Fair Board,

    My name is Melissa Moore; I am an American Saddlebred, Hackney and Roadster horse trainer. I am a second generation horse trainer whose family is deeply immersed in this equine industry and has been for over 75 years.  

    Read More
  • UPHA Office Moving

    UPHA is relocating to a new address. Kindly update your records with our new location. The postal address is P.O. Box 3728, Midway, KY 40347 and the physical address is 123 East Main St, Midway, KY 40347. Read More
  • From the Desk of Edward R. “Hoppy” Bennett

    Dear Members of The American Saddlebred Community, 

    As predicted, we have received pushback from various members of the Saddlebred industry, namely the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA).  When we made our decision to replace the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with Equine Sports Council (ESC), we were aware of and discussed this pushback and moved forward with the changes, knowingly.

    Read More
  • River Ridge Is USEF Lite Rated

    Barbara Dunham, manager of the River Ridge Charity Horse Show, announced that the show has been granted USEF Lite status for its April 24-27 event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    In response to recent developments surrounding the World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated webpage to serve as a news hub for its members. This webpage will provide timely updates and information as the situation evolves. Read More
  • Morgan Grand National Update On New Coliseum

    The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is one step closer to the beginning of a new era as progress on the new state-of-the-art coliseum in Oklahoma City continues on schedule. Read More
  • Update On Citrus Cup Regional - New Venue and Dates For 2024

    Join in for fun in the sun at Citrus Cup at its new location, the fabulous World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, on April 24-27, 2024. Fay Lowry will be judging all main ring classes. The new revised class schedule includes classes for Morgans, Saddlebreds, Hackney, Harness Pony, Open breed, carriage, ranch riding, and dressage divisions. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    Many of you received an email today from David Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, that indicates a decision has already been made by the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) to change the governance of the World's Championship Horse Show from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is extending the National and National Amateur Futurity weanling nomination deadline until May 1, 2024... Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) has given the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) notice to terminate its 1995 agreement with the KSFB to provide support to the World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS). The termination notice was hand delivered to the KSFB on Friday, March 15. Read More