The Valley Equine Sale Fitting Team continues to play a central role in preparing horses that excel in both the sale ring and the show pen. Under the direction of Mare and Sale Fitting Manager Sara Riddle, the program has earned a reputation for disciplined preparation, thoughtful presentation, and an unwavering standard of care. That standard was on full display throughout this year’s NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity and NCHA Futurity seasons.
At the foundation of the program is the trust placed in Valley Equine by owners and consignors who rely on the team to prepare their horses to look and sell their best. The success that follows is a shared one.
Results In The Sale Pen
At this year’s Western Bloodstock NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales, horses prepared by the Valley Equine team ranked among the top sellers, posting an average of $70,000 and underscoring the quality of the horses entrusted to the fitting program.
Offset (Third Edge – Baybe Blue, by Once In A Blu Boon) led the group, bringing $102,000. The powerful young filly presented with the kind of balance and size that turned heads in the sale ring.
This Cats Tuffnsmart (WR This Cats Smart – Tuesdays Tuff Kitty, by Woody Be Tuff) followed at $90,000, a well-made colt presented in peak condition for the sale.
“It takes time to understand what each horse needs to walk into that ring looking their best. The small details are what separate an average prep from a great one,” said Sara Riddle of those consignments’ success. “I’m incredibly grateful for the trust that the owners give us in getting it right.”
That attention to detail carried through to the NCHA Futurity Sales, where Valley Equine-fit horses ranked among the top sellers and returned $4,808,000 in gross sale proceeds to the owners who entrusted them to the program.
Mink N Metal (Metallic Cat – Dual Rey Mink, by Dual Rey) brought $170,000. Consigned by Los Jaboncillos Ranch, the colt is a full sibling to Valley Equine stallion Metallic Rey Mink and a full sibling to NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finalist and fifth-place finisher Mink Seville. He stood out as a strong, intelligent colt with significant upside.
Little Bit O Denver (Metallic Cat – TF Smartlittle Linda, by Smart Little Lena) sold for $150,000. One of several standout offerings from Rocking P Ranch, the sorrel filly is out of the nearly $400,000-producing mare TF Smartlittle Linda, including a full sibling, Metallic Little Lena, who has already earned more than $65,000.
Walkk This Way (Badboonarising – RN Starlights Cat, by High Brow Cat) sold for $125,000. Consigned by Core Balance LLC, the striking bay filly represents the proven Badboonarising and High Brow Cat cross and offered both pedigree strength and physical quality.
Still Rolling Stonez (Rollz Royce – ARC Some Time Ago, by One Time Pepto) sold for $105,000. Consigned by Valley Equine, Agent for Travis Stuart. By resident stallion Rollz Royce, whose progeny had an outstanding Futurity season.
Covered N Jewelz (CR Gotcha Covered – Dual Catolena, by High Brow Cat) brought $100,000. Consigned by Joel Colgrove Sr., the colt comes from a deep family, with the dam having produced more than $821,000 and multiple Open Champions.
She Be Metallic (Metallic Cat – Peppy Petites Choice, by SR Instant Choice) sold for $92,000. Consigned by Karhan Ranch, the 2017 mare sold with an embryo by Reyzin The Cash. She is an earner of more than $88,000 herself, with her oldest foals reaching performance age.
Junebug Jenny (Reyzin The Cash – Blu Metallic, by Metallic Cat) sold for $90,000. Consigned by Piney Woods Farm. Out of a Metallic Cat mare who won over $193,000 herself, with foals yet to hit the show pen.
Success In The Show Pen
Horses prepared by the Valley Equine team continue to make an impression long after the sale. Two horses sale fit by the program in 2023 returned to the spotlight this fall at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.
Mink Seville (Metallic Cat – Dual Rey Mink, by Dual Rey), ridden by Boyd Rice and owned by Austin and Stacy Shepard, finished 5th overall in the Open Finals after being prepared for the 2023 Western Bloodstock NCHA Futurity Sales.
Think Ur Tuff (Woody Be Tuff – Royal Red Brow, by High Brow Cat), ridden by Garrett Cooper and owned by Greg Steckel, was also an Open Futurity Finalist, having been fit for the 2023 Western Bloodstock NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales.
There were also two horses that have passed through the sale fitting division of Valley Equine that went on to be Open Finalists at the NCHA Futurity.
Sistersonthewagon (Metallic Cat – Reys Desire, by Dual Rey), ridden by Lee Francois for owners Barwick/Francois, captured the Open Co-Reserve Champion title with a 220.5 in the Finals. The mare was originally sale fit as a yearling for the 2023 Futurity Sales.
Alcohol U Latr (Metallic Cat – Sugar Railena, by Kit Kat Sugar), ridden by Gavin Callahan for owner C4 Cutting Horses LLC, split thirteenth in the Open Finals. The mare was also originally prepared by Valley Equine for the 2023 Futurity Sales.
“When a horse we’ve fit goes on to make the finals, it’s a proud moment for everyone in this barn. It shows that the effort, and the standard we hold ourselves to really do make a difference in how these horses start the next chapter of their careers.”
Built By the Right Team
Behind each successful horse is a team that understands responsibility, consistency, and pride in the process. Riddle credits that shared mindset as a driving force behind the program’s continued success.
“I’m proud of the people in this barn,” she said. “They care about doing things right, and they care about the horses. That kind of commitment shows up every time one of these horses steps into the ring.”
From the sale pen to the finals arena, the Valley Equine Sale Fitting Team continues to uphold a standard defined by preparation, professionalism, and trust, earning results for the owners who place their confidence in the program year after year.
