THE HORSE AUCTIONEER
Growing up, horses and the western way of life weren't just hobbies, they were also a way of living. A grandfather who shod horses, long days of ranch work, and early mornings in the saddle shaped a young man who understood hard work, respected the land, and loved horses in a way that only comes from growing up around them. That foundation never left.
Like a lot of young men with a passion and a plan, baseball was the dream. Cole chased it hard. Then a career ending injury took it away overnight — the kind of moment that forces a person to take stock of everything and decide what comes next. With one door closed, a father stepped in with a piece of advice that would change the course of a life. Auction school.
That advice led Cole to the Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana — and something clicked from the very beginning. The energy of the auction ring, the trust that sellers place in an auctioneer when they hand over something they've raised and cared for, the fast pace and the demand for professionalism — it all made sense. Auctioneering wasn't just a new direction. It was a calling.
Montana became home. A degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Farm and Ranch Management and a Minor in Finance from Montana State followed. So did a wife who shares the same deep love for horses and the western lifestyle that started it all. The academic foundation combined with real world experience created something valuable — a professional who understands not just the auction ring, but the agricultural industry surrounding it at a high level.
That depth of knowledge only grew from there. Cole holds a Certified General Appraisal license and has spent years appraising farm and ranch properties across Montana — giving him a rare understanding of land, livestock operations, and the financial realities that farm and ranch families navigate. He also holds the CAI designation from the National Auctioneers Association, one of the most respected credentials in the auction profession, held by a small percentage of auctioneers nationwide.
What came from all of that was an established career in the horse auction industry built on preparation, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the people on both sides of the ring. Clients don't just hire an auctioneer — they hand over their reputation, their animals, and in many cases a significant part of their livelihood. That responsibility is never taken lightly.
Nine years after walking through the doors of the Western College of Auctioneering as a student, Cole now serves as President of that same institution. A full circle moment that speaks for itself.
At the core of all of it is a faith that directs every decision, a commitment to honesty that shapes every relationship, and a passion for horses and the people who love them that has been present since day one. This business exists to serve people who share that same passion — with integrity, preparation, and a genuine desire to see them succeed.
CAI (Certified Auctioneers Institute) https://bcert.me/sriwuydsc
Certified General Appraiser — Montana & California
Montana State University — Bachelor Ag Business, Finance Minor
CREDENTIALS & AFFILIATIONS
National Auctioneers Association (NAA)
Montana Auctioneers Association (MAA)
American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA)
Toastmasters International