If you’re an equine enthusiast in any way, shape or form the prestigious 43rd Annual Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale, taking place from December 1 – 3, is one not to miss.
Proudly hosted by Darling Downs branch of the Australian Stock Horse Society, the three day event being held at the Dalby Showgrounds Complex will provide prospective buyers with a diverse range of high quality horses to choose from.
More than 100 vendors from Queensland and New South Wales will offer their best stock in the draft of 233 horses selected for the sale, which includes 113 mares, 105 geldings and 15 stallions.
The sale action will get underway on Saturday, December 2 from 5pm with Lots 1 to 51 going through the ring, and Lots 52 to 233 being offered from 8am on Sunday, December 3.
The Ray White Equine team are the new sale agents this year and sales manager Brendan Gilliland said the catalogue is packed with an exceptional run of well-bred horses.
“The draft features horses bred for every facet of the equine industry from polocrosse and camprafting to challenge events and good old fashioned work. There will be a horse to suit the needs of all buyers in attendance, from the Top End to Tasmania,” he said.
“Proven bloodlines from many leading sires and mares flow through the horses selected for this years sale. The prolific and celebrated stallion Acres Destiny will be especially well represented by his progeny at the sale with seven mares, four geldings, and six stallions going under the hammer.”
According to ASHS Darling Downs branch president Jim Ryan “the Dalby ASH Sale, is like the Magic Millions of the stock horse world”.
“We’re focussed on ensuring that the event is not just about selling your horse, but also, having some fun some and buying some great stock,” he said.
From Friday, December 1, riders from across the nation will compete in the Incentive Campdraft and Challenge Program which is paying out more than $70,000 in cash and prizes.
New to the event lineup this year is the Ray White and ASHS Darling Downs branch sponsored $20,000 Open Incentive Campdraft which is open to all horses that have been purchased through the Dalby ASH Sale from 2010 onwards, including any 2017 sale nominated horses.
Jim said he’s expecting the level of competition to be of a very high standard.
“We’ve got some great horses coming back, which have all been bought and sold through the Dalby ASH Sale. And I believe we’ve put a good incentive program which will further entice competitors.”
Jim said since nominations opened, the response has been thick and fast.
“We already have close to 130 nominations for the Open Incentive Campdraft, and numbers are also tracking well for the other events, so I’d advise people to get in before nomination close on November 21.”
Other events include:
- The Western Downs Regional Council Future Champions Five Years and Under Sale Incentive Campdraft, paying a minimum of $9500, plus $2000 to the vendor of the winning horse.
- The Circle L Western Products Aged Champions Six Years and Over Sale Incentive Campdraft, paying at least $16,500 and $2000 to the vendor of the winning horse.
- The Donrica Stock Horse Stud Gelding Incentive Campdraft, paying a minimum of $10,000 and $1000 to the vendor of the winning horse.
- The Wellcamp Airport Incentive Stock Horse Challenge open to horses aged four and under at the time of the 2017 Challenge will pay out $5,000.
Jim said the Friday night Martins Stock Haulage Feedlot Campdraft Challenge is back after proving a hit with the crowd in 2016.
“We had a great response to it last year as it showcases the stock and staff from the various feedlots across SE Qld, and the best part is half of the prize money each team receives goes to a charity of their choice.
“We’re expecting to have 10 to 12 teams this year which is up from five in 2016, and we’ll even have a team from Rangers Valley Feedlot in Glen Innes, NSW.”
Jim said for a not-for-profit event the team put on a “damn good show”.
“I’d like to thank my team and family in advance for all the hard work they put in to making the Dalby ASH Sale a success each and every year.”
- Sale catalogues can be obtained from the Ray White Dalby office or viewed at www.raywhiteequine.com. For further information email dalbystockhorsesale@raywhite.com and visit www.darlingdownsashs.com.au.