• Curb appeal. Before taking pictures, take the time to clip and groom your horse. A little extra spit shine can make all the difference. A  clean polished look makes a horse sparkle and stand out from the crowd. Grooming to his disciple (i.e. braids for a hunter horse) will help him look the part.
• Action shots. Get pictures of your horse doing what he does best. Buyers want to see him at work. Action shots help provide a complete picture of who is and what he can do.
• Clutter-free. Pick a back drop that is clean and clutter-free. Buildings, fences, and other horses distract from what’s really important, your horse. Be sure that your horse is at the forefront of the picture.
• Professional. Don’t be afraid to call in a professional to help you get great pictures. A professional will know just what to do to get your horse at his best. If you can’t afford a special barn call, the right show or event photo could do the trick.

Does

Don’ts

• Advertising. Getting the word out is your best bet for finding a potential buyer. Flyers and for sale signs can only reach a small audience. Magazines or newspapers can help you reach a more targeted or local audience. Equine auctions provide a larger audience with a quick turn around. Internet advertising offers the opportunity to attract national or even international buyers.
• Price. Be realistic and competitive when deciding on a price. Research the market place and compare other horses of similar type,  training, age, conformation, skill, personality, color, breeding, etc. Seeking the advice of a professional (equine appraiser, trainer, vet) may be helpful to ensure you offer a fair and competitive selling price.
• Ad Write up. Tell potential buyers as much about your horse as possible. Include information about his or her training, pedigree, and experience level. Make sure your text information follows your pictures and video. Information such as why you’re selling it, age, conformation, injuries, vet records, shoes, de-worming, if it loads, clips, and ties helps the potential make the decision of which one is worth calling about.
• Curb Appeal. Keep your horse is properly groomed, clipped and shod. Keep your horse fit for his job. Muscle sells better than fat and you don’t want your horse to not behave or be gasping for air when the potential buyer comes to see him. Potential buyers like to look at a horse when you least expect it so its important to keep you horse looking and feeling his best at all times.
• NEXT WEEK: Tips for talking to potential buyers

For Immediate Release:

The final Championship of the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity and Show went Debbie Honeycutt, who piloted her horse A Bueno Chic to the Championship of the National Reining Horse Association Limited Non Pro.

Honeycutt won $139, a Montana Silversmiths buckle, and an NRHA trophy.

The Crossett, Arkansas, Non Pro purchased A Bueno Chic, nicknamed Scooter, only a month ago through Casey Deary, after her other horse was sidelined for an injury. “I was actually driving to pick him up from the vet, and I was almost there when they called and said he wasn’t ready to come home. It’s an eight hour trip, so I didn’t know what to do,” she said. Her next call was to Deary, who had coached her at Rookie Day, to see if he had any horses for sale. “This horse was a gift from God. He was not even for sale before I got there. That day his previous owner called Casey and said she had to sell him. I got there and tried him and fell in love. He was the most wonderful thing I had ever ridden.”

Honeycutt thanked her husband Beacher Ferrell, Deary, and Jesus.

Elaine Latimer of Marietta, Oklahoma, won the Limited Non Pro Reserve Championship with a 70 on Electric Getaway. Along with a check for $95, she received a Kyle Tack saddle pad. Electric Getaway is by Jacs Electric Spark out of Getaway Lark.

Complete results can be found on www.swrha.com.

Built in 1937, the historic Hardy Murphy Coliseum has been a mainstay as an Ardmore tourist attraction. Primarily designed to host horse and livestock shows, recent renovations to the facility have given it the flexibility to host even more events. Along with the space upgrades that allow the facility to stall 500 horses, the addition of air conditioning provides Hardy Murphy with the competitive ability to attract national and regional events. The renovations have resulted in a premier competitive equine facility.

For more information on the Southwest Reining Horse Association Futurity, or to inquire about the SWRHA, please call 580-759-2929, or visit www.swrha.com.