Region 12 Spotlight Stallion Service Auction

This year marked the introduction of the Region 12 Spotlight Stallion Services Auction. Fifty-five of the finest stallions were presented to a dedicated and synergist group who are creating a vision of the future.

Ted Carson, trainer of Butler Farms said, “It’s about a program that will grow and become successful because people get behind it. It’s about building a future.”

 To instill this vision of a bright future, the auction brought in over $113,000. Of that total 80 percent will be allocated to classes; with 45 percent of that to be split to the AOTH Yearling Auction class in 2010, meaning the colts and fillies will each have $25,425 for their respective classes. Foals nominated through the mare will split $30,700. The Two-year olds will also be shown by amateur owners with $11,000 split for three classes; fillies, colts and geldings.

As the years pass and halters are replaced by saddles, there will be a payout to the 3-4 year-olds in the Open divisions of $18,175 for each division; Hunter, Western and English Pleasure. And then it’s back in the saddle for the amateurs! When these fine Spotlight Offspring make their way into the ring with their amateur on board, the payout will also stand at $18,175 for each division. What a great incentive and vision for the future of Region 12.

"The inaugural Region 12 Spotlight Futurity was an outstanding event. Wilson Training Center and our clients purchased 5 breedings from some of the outstanding stallions in the auction. We truly believe that this is an incredible venue to showcase our stallions and their offspring and create marketing opportunities. Most important, it brings Arabian horse enthusiasts together to celebrate their horses," Mike Wilson and Peri Tilghman, Wilson Training Center.

The Spotlight Stallion Auction was a great success for all of Region 12, and now the trick is to keep that momentum going as everyone waits for the first Spotlight foals to enter the show ring. The end result is to invigorate the industry through sales of breedings; sales of new foals and encourage the amateurs to step into the ring and proudly show everyone what we’ve been waiting for…futurities that make people want to breed and show.

According to Frank Galovic, Region 12 and AHA Treasurer, “What many people may not realize is the possibility of multiple streams of income through this program with four ways to make money at the Region XII Championships. First are the Spotlight Auction classes; second is the non-auction Futurity; third is the mare-centric Futurity; and fourth are the Sweepstakes classes. What does this translate into – simply stated you have four (4) ways to make money showing the same horse at one show!”

Ed Davidson, breeder and owner of Southern Heritage Farm said it best, “I was thrilled with the results of the Spotlight Futurity Auction. As a breeder it was my pleasure to bid on a number of the stud services and to hear that Region 12 raised a comparable amount, to the initial Scottsdale Signature Auction, was very encouraging. I believe this will be the east coast equivalent and allow us to participate without the extreme expense of transport cross country.”

He goes on to say, “The stallions that participated were of a broad cross section, emphasizing the more locally available bloodlines and including some of the most notable in the breed. This program should further strengthen the Region 12 Show, as it has rejuvenated the Scottsdale Show, as well as bringing amateurs into the show ring, where our breed has faltered in the most recent years.”

So with the help of Terry Holmes, V.P. of the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, and his experience with the Scottsdale Stallion Service Auction, the Region XII Spotlight Stallion Services Auction was a tremendous success due to the dedication and vision of the committee: Dan Regan, Committee Chair; CA Butler, Region XII Director; Frank Galovic, Region XII Treasures; Eric Wolfe, Region XII Past Director; Janet Searls, Event Director; and Frank Chisholm, Committee Member.

“The show and auction were first class all the way.  The quality of horses, quality of marketing, and the attendance all contributed to a tremendous success for the Right Holders and the participating stallions.  The Spotlight Stallion auction is clearly on its way to the likes of Gold Star and Medallion programs.  Accolades to the team whose success will surely endure throughout our lifetime,” Peter Kessler, Don Manuel Farms.

Written By: Sarah Neal