Morrisville State College to hold first western horse sale April 13

Morrisville State College will hold its first ever western horse sale on April 13 at the Nancy Sears Stowell Arena on Swamp Road. A preview/demonstration of sale horses begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by the sale at 1 p.m.



So far, approximately 20 reining, pleasure and hunter prospects are up for auction, including top consignments from the college's own western breaking and training program.



“We have an exceptional group of young horses to offer the public, many which are by leading sires and dams” said Dodie Howard, equine instructional support assistant, who is also coordinating the sale.



Among the college's horses up for sale are: Red Pine Sandra, a three-year-old reining prospect, whose brother, a show horse, and mother, a lesson horse, are also at the college; Cool Heart O Fire, a two-year-old hunter prospect; and a Palomino named Nics Smart Chick.



Assisting Howard are 18 students in her Western Breaking and Training class.



“Horse sales in our industry are a reality and this will give our students experience with all aspects of running a sale and preparing horses for it,” Howard said.



In the days leading up to the event, students are busy riding and getting sale horses ready for the ring, including making sure their manes are shortened, all are well groomed, and assisting with the business aspects of running a sale.



Jillian Mosley, of Salem, N.J., an equine science and management bachelor degree student, is among those prepping horses for the sale.



“This sale is great experience but what I like so much overall about the equine programs at Morrisville is the amount of riding we get to do,” Mosley said. “We also gain experience working with a variety of different horses, which means we are always learning.”



For more information about the western horse sale, visit www.morrisvillesale.com or call 315.684.6298.



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, and 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.