BY JADE PETERSEN
Behind the Lens: St. Clair Performance Horse Production 2025 Sale
Ever wonder what really goes into pulling off a horse sale—beyond the catalogs, the polished photos, and the auctioneer’s quick-talkin’ voice? Well, let me tell you, the St. Clair Performance Horse Sale is one of those events where all the hard work, family ties, and a whole lot of coffee come together in one whirlwind weekend.
This year’s sale was held at the brand-new Flying L Indoor Arena in Keosauqua, Iowa—and while I didn’t get to attend in person (don’t worry, 2026 I’ll be there with my camera gear and caffeine stash), I still had the chance to be part of the action behind the scenes as the photographer and videographer helping prep for the big day.
And let me tell you, when you spend weeks chasing sale horses around pastures, trying to catch the perfect “ears-up” shot, you really start to appreciate the phrase: teamwork makes the dream work. Because if it was just me out there? We’d still be in the pasture with one weanling hiding behind his mama, two broodmares snacking instead of posing, and me wondering why I didn’t pursue a different career. All jokes aside I LOVE MY JOB.
A Family Affair
What makes the St. Clair sale so unique isn’t just the lineup of 85 American Quarter Horses (59 riders including 16 two-year-olds, 14 yearlings, 6 weanlings, and 6 broodmares), it’s the people behind it. This isn’t just a sale—it’s a family tradition that started back in 1978 when Mike and Kim St. Clair began their AQHA program.
I got a front-row seat to that family vibe when I happened to be out taking photos during Kim’s birthday (Mike’s wife). “The day was a mix of laughter, cake, and plenty of horse talk. The St. Clair crew has this way of making you feel like family—even if your face is dripping with sweat, your Nikes are packed with arena sand, and you smell a little more ‘barn chic’ than fresh. They still welcomed me right in.
The Sale Day
The sale itself kicked off with an 8:30 AM preview at Flying L Arena followed by the 1:00 PM sale. Horses sold to bidders far and wide (12 states, to be exact—how cool is that?!).
The catalog listed the rules plain and simple:
No horses sold prior to sale time.
Every horse goes to the highest bidder.
Terms are cash or check.
And most importantly: please, no dogs unless they’re leashed. (Trust me, a loose dog around a string of sale horses is the kind of rodeo nobody signed up for.)
Behind the glossy photos and pedigrees, though, is a mountain of unseen effort. Late nights. Early mornings. Arena preps. Tack clean-ups. And more coffee than I care to admit. The St. Clair family and their crew put in hours that can’t really be summed up in a tidy little blog paragraph. But that’s what makes the day itself so special—the sweat equity shows when those horses step into the ring.
Post-Sale Check-In
Since I was out filming a wedding the actual day of the sale, I had to live vicariously through text messages. Monday rolled around and I fired off a message to Cody and Tanner, hoping for good news.
Tanner replied right away with a single word: “Hot.” (Was that about the sale? The weather? Or his lunch? Still unclear.)
Cody took her time—probably busy chasing her girls around, wrangling her dad Mike, or handling some completely unpredictable situation because that’s just her style. Eventually, she wrote back: “It went well, I think.” Casual as ever. Oh, and by the way—they sold to 12 states. In my book, that’s pretty freaking cool.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 sale may be wrapped, but the story keeps going. With their new indoor arena, their family-first approach, and their dedication to raising solid, safe, and sound Quarter Horses, the St. Clair program is building a legacy that’s as strong as the horses they raise.
And next year? You can bet I’ll be there in person—camera in hand, ready to capture it all. Because at the end of the day, it’s more than a sale—it’s the story of a family, a passion, and a program decades in the making.
