News
Results for the 2008 Dakota 50/50 Sale and Futurity
The books have been closed on the 2008 Dakota 50/50 Sale and Futurity. It has truly been amazing to watch this new idea grow into a premier event in North Dakota. Each year the participation and competition continue to grow and the demand for eligible colts creeps higher. Major sponsors, Feedrite, Uncle Bob’s Trailer Sales and Fort Dodge provided representatives to promote the event and their contributions to the horse industry.
The events kicked off on Friday, October 31st, with the two-day futurity competition. Judges for the event were Tim Crowley, Granite Falls, MN; Jean Hommel, Watertown, SD; Leo Fourre, Edina, MN; and Stephanie Lynn. Fall Creek, WI. Thirty-one (32) of fifty-two eligible horses, or 61%, registered to compete. Scores were determined by each judge in three divisions: conformation, rail and pattern. All horses competed in all three divisions, over two go-rounds, and scores totaled to determine the winners. Over $13,500 in cash was distributed to top ten winners, plus prizes for championships, division winners, high-point amateur and youth, high-point non-amateur/non-youth, and sportsmanship.
Go Princess Sophie, owned, trained and ridden by Kim Kraft, Rolette, ND was the 2008 Grand Champion, winning by a whopping 39 points! The pair also took home the Rail and Pattern division championship awards, winning the rail class under all four judges and the pattern division under three of four judges, with a second place nod from the fourth! Jackets were awarded for the division wins, sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health and Uncle Bob’s Trailer Sales. Kraft was awarded a trophy saddle, sponsored by Gustafson Oil, Rolla, ND as the Highpoint Amateur and a horse blanket sponsored by S&N Tack, St. John, ND as the owner of the Grand Champion horse. Go Princess Sophie was bred by Phyllis Geizsler, Bottineau, ND, who received a high-point breeder horse blanket sponsored by Happy Horse Dental Care, Sheyenne, ND. Zips Country Gentleman, owned and bred by Bill and Jeanette Cook, New Salem, ND and ridden by Nicki Overgard, East Grand Forks, MN, was awarded the Reserve Championship. Overgard also received a trophy halter, sponsored by BCMG Paints and Quarter Horses, St. John, ND, for her high-point non-amateur, non-youth effort. The Cooks received a horse blanket, sponsored by the Rolette State Bank for their Reserve Champion horse.
While first place was determined handily, only 11 points separated 3rd place from 10th place, creating an air of excitement in the crowd. Finishing in third place was Mr. Super Twist, owned, bred and ridden by Jeff Bernstein, Souris, ND. Lark Bee Jay, owned by Rhonda Morseth, Fargo, ND and ridden by Corrie Lynn Berg of Detroit Lakes, MN came in 4th. Shay Stewart, Bottineau, ND was the breeder. Standing in fifth place was KWS St. Paddy owned by David Aasand, Grafton, ND, ridden by Wade Benson, West Fargo, ND and bred by Jay and Jan Williams, Cleveland, ND. Sixth place went to Zip N Glow Fiona, owned by Josh and Robin Langan, Belcourt, ND, ridden by Andrea Hoff, Callaway, MN and bred by Keith and Stacey Thelen, Colombus, ND. Seventh place was awarded to KNM Saturday Saphire, owned by Tamme Lachance, Egeland, ND, trained and ridden by Terry Vote also of Egeland and bred by Keith and Nikki Medalen, Towner, ND. Eighth place was awarded to Conformation Division winner, Nobilitys Sunshine, owned and bred by Dan Bernstein, Durbin, ND and ridden by Darren Buckle, Ulen, MN. Bernstein was awarded with a jacket sponsored by FeedRite for the division win. Smooth Sunni Promise came in ninth, owned by Paige Brommond, ridden by Abra Grosz, Burlington, ND and bred by Langan Performance Horses, Belcourt, ND. Rounding out the top 10 was Zans Swiss Miss, owned and ridden by Carolyn Hammer of Fargo, ND and bred by Garry J. Mertz, Ellendale, ND.
Josh and Robin Langan, Belcourt, ND provided incentives for all youth contestants and recognized each of them during the awards ceremony following the sale. Ali Mullin, Cartwright, Manitoba was awarded a high-point youth trophy buckle, sponsored by the Alkali Ranch, Deloraine, Manitoba and Clay Ranch, Cartwright, Manitoba. Kevin Vesey, Baldwin, ND was awarded a gear bag, sponsored by Awl Cowgirl, for his excellent example of sportsmanship.
The sale was held on Saturday, Nov 1st, following the futurity. Auctioneer Joe Hickel, Crary, ND held court over the crowd, with John Bearman of Minot pointing out the highlights in the pedigrees. Sixty-six (66) weanlings were sold, representing 35 member ranches at an average of $810.60. The fillies (30) sold at a slightly higher average, $845, than the stud colts (36) at $781.94.
The high selling weanling was a dark palomino filly, Lot 850, RSJ Zipped In Roses, consigned by Roy and Sheryl James, Devils Lake, ND at $3400. New owner, Megan Haner of Max, ND, plans to show the filly in 2010. Other high-sellers included lot 815, SH Bonanza Split, selling to BJ Peterson, Clear Lake, SD, for $2300, and consigned by Gene Vandeberg, Epping, ND; lot 843, No Scotch Lark going to Todd Frank of Audobon, MN for $1900, and consigned by Tracy Cutler, Stratford, SD; lot 810, Zippo Sports Model, selling to Josh and Robin Langan, Belcourt, ND for $1800 anc consigned by Melodie Nelson, Williston, ND; and lot 857, Fame In Hollywood, selling to Nichole Mathiason, St. John, ND for $1800, and consigned by Kelly and Ruby Stuart, Eriksdale, MB.
All weanlings sold through the 2008 Dakota 50/50 Sale are eligible to compete at the 2010 Futurity for a purse of $21, 400. Horses that are re-marketed remain eligibility as long as futurity management is notified of the change in ownership. Watch for pictures, results and additional information on be posted on our website: www.dakota50-50.com.