Community Corner

UConn's Annual Horse Auction is Saturday, April 27

UConn's Department of Animal Sciences will sell off its rehabilitated rescue horses.


This article was written and reported by Eileen McNamara

Here’s your chance to give a second chance to a horse, from an aging Thoroughbred gelding to a pair of little horses so small they’re measured in inches.

The University of Connecticut is hosting its 8th Annual Sports Horse Auction on Saturday. April 27, in Storrs and will be selling off 17 horses to the highest bidders.

This year’s lot of equines, all of them rescued horses who have been rehabilitated by workers and volunteers in UConn’s Department of Animal Sciences, include a pair of “mini” mares; Shadow, a 23 year-old who stands 36 inches tall and Dolly, a four-year-old who measures just 34 inches.

The event starts at 9 a.m. with a tack and equipment tag sale at the university’s Horsebarn Hill Arena on Horsebarn Road Extension in Storrs. The horse auction preview begins at 11 a.m. and the auction starts at 1 p.m.

Proceeds from the annual auction benefit the animal sciences department’s Equine Science Program and helps support the state’s Department of Agriculture to find “good, safe homes for their rescue horses.”

In addition to the auction and tag sale there will be a silent auction of a  framed print donated by local artist, Helen Scanlon and food will be available for purchase.

Other horses that will be available for auction include:

  • Julieta: a 21-year-old, 14.2 hands chestnut Argentine Thoroughbred mare. She has been named best playing polo pony for many years and has been used in beginner through varsity Polo. She is very easy to handle as well as quiet under saddle. Perfect in the ring and loves to go out on trails. A very sweet horse.
  • U.C. Celtic Rose (“Rosie”): A 6-year-old, 15 hands bay Morgan mare. This mare is a product of our breeding and training program here at UConn. She is currently being used in Hunt Seat lessons and has been a part of our IHSA shows as well as being used on the UConn Morgan Drill Team. This forward moving mare loves to jump and is very athletic.
  • Sierra: A 10-year-old, 15.3 hands, black Thoroughbred mare. She was donated to UConn and has been in training for the past two semesters. Needs an experienced rider to finish her. Aims to please and is a nice polo prospect! Sierra neck reins and has plenty of “get up and go.”
  • Tchao Namorado CD (“Andy”): A 13-year-old, 15.3 hands registered bay Andalusian gelding. This is a horse that can do it all. Andy happily goes Western, Hunt Seat, and excels in Dressage. He will even jump a small course! A very versatile individual!
  • Gee: An 8-year-old, 15.3 hands bay Thoroughbred mare. Gee was donated to UConn as a polo horse but seems to be a nice hunt seat horse as well! She is forward moving so would be better suited for an intermediate rider. Doesn’t know everything, but tries hard, learns fast and aims to please.


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