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CSU has successful Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale

Tony Bruguiere
Ft. Collins, Colo.
CSU student Hailey McLean and 'GiGi', the T-Cross mare that she trained for the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.
Tony Bruguiere |

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.



The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.



“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.

The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.

“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.

The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.

“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.

The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.

“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.

The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.

“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.

The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.

“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”

Thirty years since its inception at Colorado State University, the Equine Science program has continued to grow and expand to become the leading program of its kind in the country. Five years ago, CSU Equine Science started a unique program called the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale.

The Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale is a collaboration of three university classes focused on experiential-based learning: Horse Training Laboratory, Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management. Over 65 CSU students devote a semester or more to produce this unique annual sale. The invited ranches provide young, green horses to be trained by the students. The student-trained horses along with other horses from the ranches are presented for sale at the Legends of Ranching Sale.

The LOR Sale and all the work of putting it on is the responsibility of the Equine Sales Management and Equine Event Management students. They are responsible for marketing the consigned horses and producing events, like the previews, sale, and the annual Wagonhound Land and Livestock Student Competition.

The horses consigned to the sale came from some of the best ranches in the country. Four AQHA Best Remuda Award winners are among the 2011 consignors. Twenty ranches were invited this year: Abraham Equine, Bar Rock-n-Bean, Bartlett Ranches, Pete Becker, Burnett Ranches (6666), Cowan Select Horses, Crofoot Ranches, Colorado State University, Hanging H Ranch, Haythorn Ranch Co., Kalpowar Quarter Horses, KeSa Quarter Horses, Purina Mills, Redwing Ranch, Saunders Ranch, Singleton Ranches, T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, Wagonhound Land & Livestock and Wood Ranch.

There are five ranches, Bartlett Ranches, Burnett Ranches (6666), T-Cross Ranches, Valley Oak Ranch, and Wagonhound Land & Livestock, which have been a part of the Legends of Ranching Sale from the very start. Because of their long-time support of the Legends of Ranching Performance Horse Sale, these five ranches were recognized at an awards dinner on Friday night before the sale. Bob Norris, the founder of the T-Cross Ranches, located between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has long been a supporter of the CSU Equine program. In the 1980s Bob Norris donated $500,000 to help build the B.W. Pickett Arena.

“There are not many programs like this where the students get practical experience on putting on a sale,” said Steve Norris who currents operates T-Cross Ranches with his father Bob Norris, “and, the kids that start the young horses, they get a lot of solid, hands-on, practical experience. They really bond with those horses and it’s good for them to get real world experience outside the class room.”

All of the invited ranches send top quality young horses for the students to train. T-Cross consigned a 2009 Sorrel Mare, whose registration is pending and goes by the ‘barn’ name of GiGi. GiGi is by Tari Pines For You and her paternal grandsire is Doc Tari.

GiGi was trained by 19-year-old CSU student Hailey McLean from Boulder, Colo. Hailey is an Equine Science major with a minor in Business. Next year she plans to be a Teaching Assistant for colt starting and will take the Equine sales and marketing class. Hailey feels that the colt starting class is hard work but a good foundation for anyone in Equine Science, “Be ready to commit all of your time and energy. We start from the ground up, all the way through riding them, and showing them in the Saturday competition. You have to be willing to put 110 percent in it to get something good out of it. You’ll learn more than you think you ever will, that’s for sure.”

Commenting on GiGi, Hailey McLean said, “She was completely green, I think the most she had ever been handled was to get her into the trailer to bring her here. I have 45-60 rides on her now. She has a very good personality. She is willing and easy to get along with. I think, as a 2-year-old, she is well on her way for being a good prospect for a lot of things.”

The T-Cross Ranches have 30 brood mares and four recipient mares. There are around 120 head of horses on the T-Cross – some are on the show circuit in Cutting and Ranch Versatility and the rest are working cow horses. “We are currently standing five excellent stallions,” said Katie Roles, T-Cross Breeding Manager, “they go back to Smoking Jose, Otoe, Doc Tari, Doc Bar, and Hancock, which are some of the best.”

“The horses we have here are big, solid, good looking, good disposition, and gentle horses that can go in any direction. We’re just trying to raise good minded, well built, ‘using’ horses.” said Lavert Avent, Head Trainer at T-Cross, “A big emphasis is on the disposition and the conformation. That’s Bob Norris’ two main things. Especially the disposition. We don’t keep a mare if she does not have a good disposition.”

The two horses consigned by the T-Cross did very well. Tari Charms You, a 2008 Sorrel Gelding by Tari Pines For You and out of Hickory Charms Cross went for $4,500. Cielo Del Taris, a 2008 Bay Roan Gelding by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Taris Vandel, was the third highest seller at $9,200.

Cielo Del Taris showed very well at the Preview. “We team roped off of him, head and heeled off of him, and we did the working cow horse roping. I bet I had 50 people ask me about him.” said Lavert Avert, T-Cross trainer, “Realistically, we was thinking $5,000 or $6,000 but he brought $9,200. We’re plenty happy.”

“We had a very successful sale,” said Megan Grieve, Equine Sciences Coordinator, “The students really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot and that is our primary responsibility and goal.”


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