Inaugural indoor True North Horse Sale lights up rossburn agri-rec centre with 25 horses consigned

By Darrell Nesbitt

Crossroads This Week 

 

Organizers of the True North Horse Sale, which was featured in a packed Rossburn Agri-Rec Centre in May, were pleased with the facilities and how the sale itself not only promoted the facility but also brought a new feature to the community.

 

The sale, organized by Thomasina and Gerald Duiker in conjunction with the Gladstone Auction Mart, saw 25 horses consigned and three teams. Although sales were accepted online, in person and via phone, the majority of the horses were sold in-house, with over 200 bidding numbers and sale catalogues handed out at the May 18 sale.

 

“Upon planning this event, we knew weather was going to be an issue, so the focus was on an indoor sale, as we didn’t want to deter anyone from attending,” said Thomasina. “We wanted to ensure a warm and inviting atmosphere and the Agri-Rec had everything we were looking for in a venue and was located close to the stables, arena and track at the Ag Grounds.”

 

Consignments were marketed throughout Canada and the United States. While some horse sales have tack consignments as well, the initial True North sale solely focused on horses.

 

With the sale being held away from the traditional auction mart setting, it was billed as one of a kind for Manitoba. Taking advantage of the location allowed organizers the room and resources to really promote and preview the consignment horses to serious buyers before the sale. According to Thomasina, they didn’t just market the sale—they marketed the horses in a way no one else had done before—with the Agri-Rec creating a warm and comfortable setting for buyers, consignors and vendors, complete with food and refreshments on site.

 

On sale day, the top-selling horse was Lot 16, a 2012 AQHA buckskin gelding that sold for $14,000. The broke saddle horse, named Mack, was owned and consigned by Thomasina’s daughter, Emma Charney.

 

“Mack had highly sought-after bloodlines—a couple of names on his papers included Peppy San Badger and Peptoboonsmal,” commented Thomasina. “Emma had put a lot of work and time into him and because of it, Mack turned out to be a kind, gentle and honest gelding, safe for anyone.”

 

Of the 25 horses consigned, the average sale price for saddle horses was $10,461, while driving teams averaged $11,866 per pair.

 

Knowing how important community facilities are, the Duikers felt the Agri-Rec Centre was the perfect venue and location for the sale and didn’t take for granted that Rossburn Municipality Council supported their request to use it.

 

“We were very careful not to jeopardize the use of the facility for future events in any way,” stressed Thomasina. “No horses were housed in the facility—sale horses went in one by one and were only in the sale ring for a short time while they were being auctioned.”

 

When asked what the biggest challenge was in converting a cement surface to one suitable for horses, Thomasina replied, “Lots of manual labour and time.”

 

Based on the success of the inaugural sale, plans are in place to host both a spring and fall sale every year moving forward. This year’s Fall Roundup is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 7, once again taking advantage of the Agri-Rec location following the Parkland community’s Rodeo and Harvest Festival over the long weekend. If you’re looking for a well-bred horse, the sale starts at high noon.

 

Committed to the community they call home, Thomasina and Gerald Duiker intend to either initiate or be involved in events that bring people together through fellowship, passion, knowledge and fun.

 

“The busier our small-town facilities are, the better for the community,” concluded Thomasina. “As a mother, I personally like to be involved with events that enrich Rossburn and bring my kids home. The horse sale was an outstanding family event—a gift to one and all.”