Despite widespread dry conditions, the quality on offer at the Balonne Branch Australian Stock Horse sale at St George on Saturday drew a strong crowd.
The sale included the dispersal of John and Gwen Lyons' Coolum Stock Horse Stud, attracting 70 registered bidders, including several from NSW and one from Western Australia.
Of the 40 lots offered, 26 sold for a 65 per cent clearance rate and an average of $11,461.
Evan and Kim Acton, Millungera Station, Julia Creek, paid the top price of $30,000 for Hogans Nickolita, offered by the Lyons family.
The 15-year-old chestnut mare, sired by Knights Nicholas from Ashe Bubbles, was offered as "an outstanding family horse" and popular among many in attendance.
An open campdraft mare, she won ACA Border Zone Open Horse in 2014/15 and placed fourth in 2017/18.
The mare has won the cattle working section of the Open Challenge at ASH Nationals twice, High Point Horse of the Balonne Branch 2014, and also had success in the show ring, winning at Royal and National levels.
A second-top price of $28,000 was paid for Bluegrass Image from the Lyons family by Brian Southern, Breena Plains, St George.
Volume buyers included Gwen MacMillan who took home three horses for a top price of $26,000 and average of $15,500, Woodridge Pastoral, Currabubula, NSW, who took home two horses for a top of $13,000, and Tim Lyons, Sexton, who also purchased two horses for a top of $12,000.
Mr Lyons said they were happy with the result of the dispersal considering the weather situation.
"Hogans Nickolita is an all around horse for ladies and kids, and Evan and Kim have bought a very good mare " he said.
"I'm sure they'll get many more years of competition out of her before she becomes a brood mare."
Michael Smith, Elders Stud Stock, said the sale exceeded his expectations with the ongoing dry conditions.
"The Coolum Stud dispersal on behalf of John and Gwen Lyons had a great result," he said.
"There were invited vendors with some great lots that created interest."
