October Hill Farm, a prominent breeder of Warmblood Sporthorses in the United States, announces the 2009 Candy Store Sporthorse Auction, a one-of-a-kind auction to be held at October Hill Farm's facilities in Hudson Oaks, TX, just 23 miles west of Fort Worth. The Candy Store Sporthorse Auction is presented by Texas Select Sporthorse Sales, LLC, and will be held Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.
Featuring pedigreed Holsteiners, Hanoverians, Oldenburgs, Zweibruckers and other registered breeds developed for performance, the Candy Store Sporthorse Auction's sale group comes from select consignors who are longtime and knowledgeable breeders, riders and trainers. In partnering with these industry professionals, October Hill Farm has assured that the selections are from the top tier of the local American breeding and equestrian industries.
"We have strived to put together an appealing and talented consignment collection with a particular focus on skills and ability," said Wendy Gerrish, owner and general manager of October Hill Farm. "I think our bidders will have a hard time choosing between lots! I am most excited about the collection of incredible coming three year-olds since these horses, who are just now ready to be started in training, present the most intriguing option for speculators and trainers who are seeking new talent. The aptitude and ability seen in this group is thrilling! And, of course, for the folks looking for a faster track to the show arena, we have a great group of accomplished and capable riding horses ready to compete at your next event."
Among the North American Warmblood registries, Texas and its neighboring states have earned a solid reputation for breeding and raising top-quality prospects. "You could still go to Europe to buy," continued Gerrish, "but we have some of the very best American breeders of Holsteiners, Hanoverians and other popular Warmbloods right here in our region. As an equine business with a foot in both the breeding and showing industries, October Hill has always been able to bridge the gap between the raisers and the riders, and we have been looking forward to the day we could host an event of this magnitude."
"One of our consignors is the breeder of one the nation's top hunters this year, Tell All, and also the breeder of Sangria, a horse going well in the Open Jumpers here in Texas," Gerrish stated. "Another consignor from North Texas produced the winner of the mare testing in Holstein, Germany, this summer out of hundreds of candidates. The same consignor bred and raised several YJC Midwest contenders over the last several years. And, our own farm, of course, is excited to present our own group of prospects with proven and substantial performance pedigrees."
The horses won't be the only fun part of the event. There is no better way to whet the appetite for the main event than with chocolate chip tamales, the chocolate martini shots, and other heavenly temptations available alongside the complimentary lunch buffet. "We want to make this a real destination event for our buyers, so we have made it as much a social gathering as a sale," explained Gerrish. "Not only will you be able to go home with your trailer loaded up with some superb horses, you can also leave with a full stomach!"
The auctioneer for this sale is Swing City Auction Company, a Plano-based auction services company owned by Phillip L. Pierceall. Pierceall is a familiar face to the equestrian sports community, having worked at show venues across the country as an announcer and organizer.
"The Candy Store Sporthorse Auction will be the gold standard of Sporthorse Auctions in the United States, could set the bar for future auctions, and will certainly rival those in Europe," Pierceall remarked. "October Hill Farm and the consignment group selected for this event are top notch. The bloodlines and breeding of these horses can't be beat, and the performance records of the proven horses in the sale are first class."
"This will be the first time that a Sporthorse Auction has been simulcast live online during the event at www.livehorsesales.com," Pierceall added. "I have been in the hunter/jumper show industry for almost 15 years so I understand what the buyer is looking for, and this social and auction event has 'blue ribbon' written all over it. Swing City Auction Company, LLC, is honored to have been chosen as the auction company for the Candy Store Sporthorse Auction."
A tentative schedule of events, including riding trials and free-jump presentation times, can be found on the Candy Store Sporthorse website, along with exciting information on how to bid in real time using live streaming video services.
Consignments will be continuously added up to the date of the sale, so those interested should return to the homepage often to see the new additions. To join the mailing list and ensure the receipt of pertinent announcements, please go to the Contact page at www.candystoresporthorses.com and submit information. To reach Pierceall and Swing City Auction Company, please visit www.swingcityauctioncompany.com.
For those interested in consigning, please call Wendy Davis Gerrish in the October Hill Farm office at (817) 247-6125.
For more information on the Candy Store Sporthorse Auction, please visit www.candystoresporthorses.com.
The Candy Story Sporthorse Auction is generously sponsored by CWD Precision Saddlery, FarmVet.com, The Sporthorse Directory, Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, Equine Express, Dillard Feed and Seed, and Teskey's Circle T.
For more information on October Hill Farm, please visit www.octoberhill.com.