Morrisville State College 23rd annual yearling sale reins in $1.4 million

Jennifer Cook had it down to a science.



“You want them to stand square so people can look at them, and you walk them up and down so they can also watch how they move,” the Morrisville State College student explained about presenting Standardbred horses to potential buyers during the college's annual yearling sale.



Cook, of Ithaca, was among Morrisville State College students who worked the college's 23rd sale, which reined in nearly $1.4 million. One hundred-fifty-two yearlings were sold at an average of $8,879. The sale topper was a Cash Hall colt, Planet Hallywood, owned by the Morrisville State College Institute, which sold for $45,000.



The yearling sale, which features year-old Standardbred horses sold on consignment by the college, is organized and run by Morrisville State College Equine Department faculty, staff and students.



Equine students working the sale took on different roles ranging from bedding stalls, grooming, leading and showing horses, to setting up the business office and assisting with cleanup.



Kathryn Galyon, of Rockland County; Matthew Menoff, of Gowanda; Jeffrey Andresen, of Ocean City Md.; and Nicole Lagree, of Saranac Lake, were among equine students clad in professional black suit attire, who were charged with leading horses to the auction stage.



Nearby, other students were fussing and placing finishing touches on the impeccably groomed horses going up for auction.



Morrisville State College student Maria Roiz, of New Jersey, was helping to primp Trounce, a dashing yearling being sold by Preferred Equine, of Briarcliff Manor.



David Reid, owner of Preferred Equine, said he welcomes students' assistance with his Standardbreds at the sale every year.



“Morrisville students have always been terrific and are always willing to work hard and learn,” said Reid, an alumnus of the equine science program who has hired a large number of the college's equine students based on their reputation.



“Being able to work with us gives students additional exposure in the industry,” Reid said. “It is also important for them to get exposure to help promote the equine program.”



Students' work plays an integral factor in the success of the annual sale which attracts hundreds of spectators from across the Northeast.



Amber and Tyler Buter traveled three hours from Middletown to attend the sale. They were carefully looking over yearlings that roused their attention.



Scott and Kate Campbell, of Vernon, came to the sale mostly to watch but didn't rule out bidding on one that caught their eyes.



Overall, the sale provides hands-on experience that is invaluable to students and the industry.



“It's a great experience,” said Abbie Giacona, of Skaneateles, an equine science—equine rehabilitation and therapy bachelor degree student. “I really learned a lot handling the yearlings.”



Kaitlyn Oldknow, of Maine, an equine science bachelor degree student, enjoyed the diversity of working with various yearlings and farms.



“Each farm runs its operation differently and it was a great experience for me to see their individual techniques,” Oldknow said.



Profits from the sale go toward general maintenance and enrichment of the college's equine programs.



For more sales results visit www.morrisvillesale.com.



Morrisville State College offers a bachelor of technology degree in equine science and two associate degrees in equine racing management and equine science and management. The diverse equine science curriculum includes specializations in breeding, western, hunt seat, draft/driving, thoroughbred racing, standardbred racing, business, and equine rehabilitation therapy.



An Equine Breeding and Training Center, a 34,000 square-foot breeding and hunter/jumper facility, includes a breeding and foaling barn, hunter/jumper barn, stallion barn, a complete breeding laboratory, collection area, laptop classroom, three indoor riding arenas. There is also a new state-of-the-art equine rehabilitation center.



In addition to the Equine Breeding and Training Center, the college has an 80-acre Equine Center complete with paddocks, stables, and the only half-mile harness racing track on a college campus in the nation. Additional stables include a draft horse barn with a covered round pen and runouts.