Billadeau Quarter Horses’ stallion Exagereyt topped the Riata Showcase Sale at $170,000 in the South Point arena on Sunday, Dec. 7 during the Ariat World Series of Team Roping.
The 2018 model called “Rey” also sold with a Riata Stallion Incentive (opens in a new tab) “Stallion Slot.” For buyer Blaine Weiterman of Arp, Texas, Rey represented both a rare breeding opportunity and a foothold into one of the industry’s fastest-growing incentives.
“The rope horse industry is probably the fastest growing deal and to be a part of it and own a Riata slot, I thought that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Weiterman said.
Exagereyt Has Got the Stuff
For the Layne Billadeau—who runs Billadeau Quarter Horses alongside his family—what always made Rey stand out was his substance and demeanor.
“We bought Rey because of the amount of bone he had,” Billadeau said. “We wanted that put back into our colts—and he’s done it. We’re riding his 2-year-olds now. They’re no slouches.”
The family purchased the horse shortly after he went through the NCHA Western Bloodstock 2-Year-Old sale in 2020; consigned by Linda Holmes and selling for $14,500. (opens in a new tab)
From there, Rey got an education few young horses experience.
Willy Gould started him roping. Then Wesley Reno put real-world pressure on him, hauling him to jackpots along the U.S.–Mexico border.
“He saw everything—chickens running through the arena, chaos,” Billadeau said. “That’s what made him what he is today. He is not affected by anything.”
Once seasoned, Rey went to Britt Williams, who finished his aged event career and brought the stallion to a little less than $10,000 in earnings on the heel side.
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Between Rey’s easygoing nature and his potential as a sire, deciding to sell him was not an easy choice for the Billadeau’s. But their program also stands Riata stallion Shiners Suduko (opens in a new tab), and is bringing up young sire Diceman. (opens in a new tab)
“It costs so much to send these horses down the road, paying them into the incentives and we just couldn’t do it all,” Billadeau said. “Rey was the most sellable at this point in time, but it wasn’t an easy choice. The Riata needs someone who’s going to go on and invest in [Rey] right away.”
And the Riata Stallion Incentive Showcase was the place to sell a classy rope horse.
“Where is the best place to sell a rope horse? The South Point,” Billadeau said. “Where is the best place to sell a Riata horse? The Riata sale. Nothing compares to the money or the atmosphere.”
The Billadeau’s—which is comprised of father Wade and wife Michelle, Layne and wife Codi, and daughters Quinci and Josie—plan to use the money to pour back into their program…. and complete a bathroom remodel.
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Exagereyt’s East Texas Future
Rey will make his new home in Arp, Texas, breeding mares. For Weiterman, one of the deciding factors in purchasing Exagereyt was seeing the amount of substance the stallion had.
“He has a lot of foot, a lot of bone,” Weiterman said. “In today’s world—whether you’re ranching or roping—a lot of these cow-bred horses have had that bred out.”
A full-time cattle salesman, Weiterman is looking at investing more heavily in horses, and is ready to test Rey’s mettle.
“We plan to promote and advertise,” Weiterman said. “I’d love to get a high-caliber roper to ride him at the PRCA rodeos and see how we get along there. Can his mind take it? What kind of ability does he have?”
The Riata Stallion Incentive Showcase Horse Sale may have been one of Exagereyt’s first time in the spotlight, but if Weiterman gets a say in it, it won’t be the last.
