Demand Grows for Draft Cross Horses Ahead of Waverly Auction

The Midwest event will feature hundreds of horses and offer nationwide bidding access to participants

WAVERLY, IOWA (RFD NEWS) — There has been an upswing in demand for draft cross horses with buyers being drawn to their gentle nature and effectiveness for trail riding. Next week, the Waverly Midwest Horse Auction will feature 800 horses total, with more than 300 high-quality draft cross horses.

Leon Martin, company owner and president of Waverly Sales Company, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to offer a glimpse of what’s to come for the upcoming event.

In his conversation with RFD News, Martin discussed who the ideal candidate would be for the horses and why they are growing in popularity.

“They’re for a person that’s looking for a gentle, quiet-natured horse that’s stout and has a lot of energy and ability, especially out west in the mountains,” Martin said, “They’re just very quiet with that draft blood in them. They’re just fun to be around.”

The auction also has an in-house bidding platform that allows for remote participation.

“This allows people who are not able to be here to participate in the auction. There’s full video streaming of the auction,” Martin continued, “You’ll be able to hear the auctioneer calling animals. Hear the commentary about the animal and bid on them. We have a Coast-to-Coast audience, and we really enjoy that.”

Martin says that care for the purchased horse, as well as pickup or shipping, can be arranged afterward, regardless of location.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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