2005 Georgia 4-H horse auction raises record funds

by Jimmy Lee, Commodity Specialist

Sylvia Mooney of Walton County is pictured with Quiddich, a bay gelding quarter horse she acquired in the 11th Annual Georgia National 4-H Benefit Horse Auction by placing the highest bid of the auction at $3,900. Quiddich was donated by Melinda Mazo of Decatur.

The 11th Annual Georgia National 4-H Benefit Horse Auction, held Feb. 26, raised a record $21,250 with 19 horses sold.

An additional two horses were sold before the auction for a total of $5,300. Tack items sold during the auction brought a total of $1,277.50 and a $200 donation brought total funds raised by the auction to $28,027.50.

“We had a great sale this year with active bidding on some fine quality horses,” said Danny Hogan, chairman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Equine Advisory Committee. “We are grateful to those who donated the horses for the sale, and of course, to those who were successful with their bids.”

The Georgia Farm Bureau Equine Advisory Committee has co-sponsored the auction with the University of Georgia since the auction began in 1995. The auction is held annually at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry during the Georgia National Junior Livestock Show. The proceeds from the auction are used to benefit the Georgia 4-H Horse Program and to support the 4-H Horse School, Quiz Bowl, Judging Contest, state 4-H Horse Show, and other state and county 4-H horse related events and UGA equine research.

Sylvia Mooney, of Walton County, placed the top bid at the auction of $3,900 for a bay gelding quarter horse donated by Melinda Mazo of Decatur, Ga. A chestnut mare warmblood horse brought the second highest bid of $1,900 during the auction. The average price paid this year for horses sold at the auction was just over $1,100.

“This year’s sale brings our total auction income to over $166,000 for the past eleven years,” said Georgia Farm Bureau President Wayne Dollar. “We are pleased to be helping our young people with their horse projects while helping the Georgia equine industry by keeping animals healthier through the significant progress being made in equine research every year.”

The sale was coordinated by Dr. Gary Heusner, UGA equine animal scientist, with the assistance of Norman McGlohon, Oglethorpe County Extension director, who has served as auctioneer for the sale since its inception.

GFB Equine Committee members assisting with the sale included Danny Hogan of Laurens County; Ann Jones of Hall County; Gerry Weaver of Gordon County; Tom Kerlin of Fayette County; Angie Cook of Greene County; Carey Knowles of Telfair County and Wayne Morris of Randolph County.