The inaugural Andy Kocher Sport Horse Auction, the first of its kind exclusively online sport horse auction in America, concluded May 16, 2020, leaving Andy Kocher more than encouraged about the operation’s future.
Photo by Andy Kocher Showjumpers.
The sale topper came in the final 15 minutes of the auction, which offered eight hand-selected equine athletes and two, two-year breeding contracts to Kocher’s top stallion, Westminster VDL. The result made for a thrilling finish to an endeavor that Kocher began as a result of the industry-halting Coronavirus pandemic, bringing proven show mounts and exciting high performance prospects to equestrians’ fingertips while they are unable to travel and compete.
“I was so excited by the results of the auction, I could hardly sleep that night!” exclaimed Kocher, ranked among the top 75 riders in the world, according to the prestigious Longines Jumping Rankings. “The auction has been a great way to connect with new people in the industry, including breeders, and the interest it generated was incredible.”
Altezza du Jardin, Cortina BZ, and Izara van de Croone will all head to new homes as a result of the auction, which was hosted at Auction.AndyKocher.com. Altezza du Jardin, listed as Lot 08, was the sale topper. The 2010 mare (Lucianno x Prince de Logis) was undoubtedly an auction standout; with a proven record at the national grand prix level, the flashy bay mare was equally suitable for a rising professional, an amateur, or a junior looking to move up.
“Altezza du Jardin is going to be a great spokes-horse for the auction,” Kocher said. “She is a really nice horse who is going to produce great results for her new rider.”
Westminister VDL. Photo by Andy Kocher Showjumpers.
In addition to the three horse sales, two, two-year breeding contracts to Kocher’s top stallion, Westminster VDL (Heartbreaker x Fedor x Darco), sold in the auction. The only affordable, breeder-friendly son of Heartbreaker with effective fresh semen in North America, Westminster VDL is a full brother to Bertram Allen’s international star, Romanov II. He is a direct reflection of his legendary sire and possesses one of the very best motherliness in all of Europe.
More than 80 unique users registered to bid, and each received extensive information about the available horses, including conformation and jumping photographs; a jumping video; current X-rays; and a veterinary report. Trials at Kocher’s Wellington, FL location could be arranged by appointment in the lead up to the auction.
A portion of proceeds from the auction will benefit the Show Jumping Relief Fund, created to help the many people in the competitive equestrian industry affected by the show closures due to COVID-19. Every horse in the auction was outfitted with a new leather halter from Huntley Equestrian, while Rider’s Boutique awarded a $100 gift card to each new owner.
“I got calls every day from other professionals in the industry that wanted to get involved and list their horses,” Kocher said. “This is just the beginning of what we can do.”
Andy Kocher Sport Horse Auctions plans to host its next event, which will showcase young prospects, in July 2020. This select sale will exclusively feature horses ages five and younger and will be based out of William Upton’s Windwood Equestrian in Pelham, AL. In addition to lots from Kocher’s personal string, the auction will accept the top five young prospects in the local area. Those interested in submitting their young horse for consideration may contact one of the following: Andy Kocher at +1 (205) 523-3088; Mike Kocher at +1 (201) 889-7280; or send an email to aksporthorseauctions@gmail.com