NY Morgan Stallion Service Auction Raises Over $60,000 for Prize Money
Sunday, March 4, 2007
by Nancy Galusha
The New York Morgan Horse Society held its 19th annual Stallion Service Auction on Feb. 24, 2007, at Saratoga Hotel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The auction raised over $60,000 to be used for prize money in the NY Stallion Auction Sweepstakes held at the New York Regional Morgan Horse Show classes in September. All foals by the stallions whose services were sold are eligible to compete for prize money in the weanling in hand classes and in two four-year-old classes: hunter/western/sport horse pleasure and park/English pleasure. With the exception of a small amount for expenses, all the money is paid out to exhibitors in these classes.
The day started off with a fashion show of the latest designs from Marsha DeArriaga. This is the second year that the NY Stallion Service Auction has sponsored this event and the popularity keeps growing. The audience was filled with people of all ages who gathered to see what DeArriaga had to offer for the upcoming show season. After the fashion show DeArriaga could be found in the afternoon taking orders for new riding clothes for some lucky exhibitors.
At 1 p.m. the annual panel discussion was held. This year’s topic was “The Future In Hand”. Barbara Irvine was gracious enough to fill in for moderator Steve Kinney who was unable to attend. Panelists included Lynn Peeples, Bernard Parker and Steve Smith. Discussion on the in-hand division was abundant and hopefully will encourage people to put more effort into helping to make this division thrive. During the panel discussion the youth in attendance were kept entertained by creating hand painted t-shirts as well as other horse related items so that the adults could participate in the panel discussion. Rolling Oaks Stable organized the youth activities.
Evening festivities began with stallion displays and a happy hour. The bar was open, drinks flowed and hors d’oeuvres were refreshed throughout the evening. The phone lines opened at 5:30, and they were ringing off the hook as people across the nation placed their opening bids or arranged for call backs when the horse of their choice came to the floor. At 7:30 sharp, auctioneer John Bennett stepped up to the podium and opened the auction. Steve Smith was on hand to read the pedigrees.
The stallion lineup represented all the variety and versatility of the Morgan. The NY Stallion Service Auction strives to have a line up that is of interest to all breeders. The atmosphere was one of excitement, fun and celebration from the opening bid to the last gavel. Bid spotters for the evening were Ivan Beattie, Bernard Parker and Kenton Wood. Phone volunteers Karen Saville, Ilene Goulette, Roberta Marshall and Sue Evans talked fast and listened hard, communicating with bidders from Florida to Oklahoma to California.
The top price of the sale went to World Champion HVK Bell Flaire. Other top 10 sellers were Man In Motion, Born To Boogie, On Line, Beethoven, Ben’s Rhapsody, Favorite Son, Treble’s Tanqueray, Cartier, CVH Celtic Command and Dragonfire Kirin.
In addition to stallion services, trainers offered professional services to be auctioned. Training services from Chrislar Farm, Joe Parker Stables and Showcase Stables were sold in quick fashion. The Morgan Horse Magazine, the New England Morgan Horse Show and Saddle Horse Report generously donated full-page ads to be auctioned. The Willow Tree Landscapes of Tulsa, Olka., donated plantscapes for the 2007 Grand National. Getaways were a new theme this year. Getaways offered were a day at Broadmoor, a day at UVM with Steve Davis and also a day with Garn Walker, as well as a two-day getaway at the Bonnie Castle Resort in Alexandria Bay, N.Y., and a stay at the new Ultra Morgan’s B&B. A photo shoot donated by Debbie Uecker-Keough was quickly bought up. Jeanne Mellin Herrick generously donated an original painting to benefit the auction that created a bidding war from the audience.
The NY Stallion Service Auction committee continues to strive to make this one of the premier auctions with in the Morgan breed. Their slogan “it pays to perform” certainly holds true given the money that continually raised at this auction and is paid out each year. Plans for next year’s event are already underway. Check the Web site for contact information, updates and news.
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