Colorado State University Equine Students Take On New Challenge For Fourth Annual Legends Of Ranching Performance Horse Sale

FORT COLLINS – Colorado State University equine science students will use their skills during the fourth annual Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 25 at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center at 701 S. Overland Trail. Sixty-five horses with some of the most prestigious American Quarter Horse ranching and cowhorse bloodlines will be auctioned during the sale.

This spring’s Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a student-run project, and exemplifies the equine sciences program’s efforts to provide unique and hands-on educational opportunities for students. Each year, CSU students enroll in classes such as equine sales management, equine event management and horse training, and participate in the creation of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale. For two semesters, students dedicate their time and effort to the smooth production of the sale. About 25 percent of the 400 undergraduate equine science students from CSU are involved in production of the sale each year.

CSU equine sales management students research, design and produce the 2009 Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale catalog. In previous years, the equine sciences program used outside sources for some production aspects of the catalog. The catalog will feature color-sponsor advertisements, schedules of events, information on the consigning ranches, and photos and notes on the consignments. Students in the training class start and fit for sale 2- and 3-year-old fillies and geldings from some of the nation’s most celebrated ranch breeding programs.

Guest speakers such as Thomas Saunders of Saunders Ranch, Terry Crofoot of Crofoot Ranches,  Robin Glenn of Robin Glenn Pedigrees, and Bill and Carole Smith of the WYO Quarter Horse Sales assist with the sales management and training classes during the fall and spring semesters. These speakers provide students with important information and guidance to help them in planning what has become a premier ranch horse sale.