Falcon Ridge Ranch Hosts First Annual Horse Auction

Morning came early Saturday the 13th of September. Before the sun rose over the red hills, students and employees of Falcon Ridge Ranch, a Residential Treatment Center for teen girls, prepared for their first annual horse auction. With over a hundred horses to auction students fed, watered and cleaned before buyers arrived. Each horse was washed and groomed prior to the big event. Falcon Ridge students started this project over a year ago, raising and training yearlings for presentation. Training involves daily work preparing horses for bridles, saddles, leading and socialization. Those not directly involved with the horses, constructed information booths, sold t-shirts, crafts, tickets, and snacks and supervised the bounce castle for kids. Virgin town residents displayed beautiful handicrafts by local artisans.

Although the main event was the auction, people enjoyed other activities. Guests bid in a silent auction of student's art work. Many water color and charcoal artworks were also sold. The auctioneer auctioned and raffled several hand-sewn quilts. While serious buyers gathered at the corral to watch the horse preview, others listened to the country western harmonizing of Eldon Hunt and his guitar. Eldon sang a medley of old and new songs. A delicious Dutch oven dinner consisting of roast, potatoes and local, Enterprise corn energized participants for a long day of bidding.

Consigners from Utah and nearby states auctioned a variety of horses, from high performance to started colts. Buyers from all over the U.S. represented ranchers, rodeo performers, breeders, racers and pleasure riders. We invited local luminaries out to rope a good deal on a horse. The auctioneer was Jim Keys from Monticello, Utah. He auctioned at a quick clip, encouraging the audience to get down to business in a humorous way. The high sale was a 4 year old mare at seven thousand. Over three hundred guests enjoyed the auctions and festivities. Almost all the horses consigned were sold, leaving buyers and sellers happy to head home after the sawdust settled.

We were honored to host the horse auction and plan to make it an annual tradition. A percentage of the revenue from consignment fees will go toward a non profit scholarship. We express our gratitude for all the support and hard work that went into making the horse auction successful. A special thank you goes to the students who put their heart and soul into readying the colts for their big day. It was hard to say goodbye, but every horse sold went to a good home.

Falcon Ridge Ranch is a state-licensed treatment facility for young women ages 12 to 17. Located on the outskirts of Zion's National Park, our ranch resides in the small idealistic community of Virgin, Utah. Our students display behavioral and/or emotional problems that require treatment beyond traditional therapy, but that do not require hospitalization. Falcon Ridge offers a structured environment designed to foster acceptance and support. We create permanent change in the beliefs and behavior of young women. Through our efforts, productive, accountable, and successful young women emerge. If you have any questions or would like more information about Falcon Ridge Ranch, please contact Mariah Pogue at 435-635-5260 or mariahpoguefrr@gmail.com.