THE HORSE SALE AT RANCHO RIO

“Twizzler” Marks Wilson Cattle Company’s Third Consecutive High-Seller at The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio

Wickenburg, Arizona—The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka took place Saturday, March 16, in Wickenburg, Arizona, in conjunction with the National Team Roping (NTR) National Finals X. The 66 consignments that ran through the ring at the 10th annual sale drew spectators and buyers from all over the nation and brought $2.66 million in total sales. With 52 horses sold, the overall sale average was $51,154 and the top 10 average was $94,800.

Early in the sale, auctioneer Steve Friskup dropped the gavel to the tune of $180,000 at Lot 8 on the 6-year-old red roan gelding Rusty Peptoboosmal. Consigned by Brooke and Rodey Wilson, Wilson Cattle Company, of Canyon, Texas, “Twizzler” marks their third consecutive high seller in as many years. Their first-ever high seller was in 2022 when they sold Sportin Roscoe (“South Point”) for $200,000, and in 2023 when they sold TRR Kadabra Kat (“Honkey Tonk”) for $160,000.

“It’s nerve-racking,” said Brooke. “You don’t really know what’s going to happen, or who is going to show up, or if there’s something better that they’re waiting on. You just have to bring a good horse and see what happens.

“Twizzler is the winningest horse we’ve ever had,” continued Brooke, who won the #10.5 Riata Buckle heading on the horse in 2022 for $62,000. Twizzler was then on the winning team of the exact roping in 2023, this time on the heel side with a #5 roper. “It doesn’t matter who’s riding him.”

Twizzler was purchased by Javier Rodriguez, of Las Vegas, Nevada, who also purchased Honkey Tonk in 2023.

“He actually came out to ride him,” Brooke said. “I went back and watched his videos over and over and that horse was unbelievable for him. He’s a #3 and that horse made him look like a #6. It was unreal. I’m just so glad he’s going to someone that’s going to enjoy him.”

Hooks Flintrock, Lot 24, followed as the second-high seller at $115,000 and was purchased by Roberto Brembilla of Scottsdale,

Arizona. “Jube Jube,” a 2016 chestnut gelding, was consigned by Kale and Tatum Peterson, Peterson Performance Horses, of Wittmann, Arizona, and Buck Lake, Alberta, Canada.

Rounding out the top three high sellers was Lot 30, Gin N Guns Dont Mix, who sold for $110,000. Consigned by Chad and Paje Turner, Turner Performance Horses, of Congress, Arizona, and East Helena, Montana, the 2018 palomino gelding was purchased by James Hunter, of Eagle, Idaho. “Townes” is by the NRHA Open Futurity Reserve Champion Gunners Tinseltown and out of a daughter of Nu Chex To Cash and is eligible for APHA Chrome Cash.

Superior Productions broadcast the event live bringing the sale to additional spectators and potential buyers worldwide. Renowned auctioneer, Steve Friskup, Muleshoe, Texas, was joined on the auction block by long-time team roping announcers Ferron Lucero, Stephenville, Texas, and Doug VanDyken, Bozeman, Montana, along with sale clerk Katie Yost, Billings, Montana. The Horse Sale at Rancho Rio continues to be the premier rope horse sale of the world and will once again take place in March 2025 during the NTR National Finals XI. You can find additional information and sale results online at RanchoRioAZ.com.

Sale Results:

Total Consignments - 66

Horses Sold - 52

Sale Average - $51,154

Top 10 Average - $94,800

Top 20 Average - $79,150

Top 30 Average - $66,900

About Rancho Rio: Sitting on 55 acres just minutes from downtown Wickenburg, Rancho Rio is one of Arizona’s premier multi-use facilities. Each year our location hosts a multitude of equine events, gives visitors and snowbirds a place to spend the winter and serves as a trailhead for horseback rides through the scenic miles of the Hassayampa Riverbed. Complete with two outdoor arenas Rancho Rio will see more than 25,000 team roping teams annually. In the month of December alone, there are more than 60 ropings scheduled. Rancho Rio is home to National Team Roping (NTR). You will find opportunities for team roping practice, roping clinics as well as weekly barrel racing events throughout the winter months. Rancho Rio also hosts a number of events benefiting the Wickenburg community. For more information, visit RanchoRioAZ.com. For more information on National Team Roping or to become a member visit nationalteamroping.com.