Performance Horse Sale Marks 30 Years of Student Training, Industry Impact
For three decades, the Cal Poly Performance Horse Sale has served as both a hands-on learning experience for students and a respected marketplace within the Western performance horse industry. Celebrating its 30th year in 2026, the annual student-run event continues to evolve while staying rooted in Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy.
Hosted on campus at the Oppenheimer Family Equine Center, the sale features approximately 25 horses, ranging from yearlings to 3-year-olds. Many of these horses are bred through Cal Poly’s program and trained by students in the Quarter Horse Enterprise under the guidance of Lecturer Lou Moore-Jacobsen.
“The sale started with a variety of selling styles, experimenting with what drew buyers into the program,” Moore-Jacobsen said. “It has grown from selling just a handful of horses off-site to a well-established event featuring horses selected for their conformation, disposition and athletic ability.”
Over time, the scale and reputation of the sale have expanded significantly. In the past decade alone, the average sale price has increased from $3,600 to more than $15,000, reflecting rising demand for Cal Poly-trained horses. Additionally, market trends have shifted, with mares recently outperforming geldings — a reversal from earlier years when fillies typically sold for 25 to 30 percent less.
The program’s success, Moore-Jacobsen said, stems from its ability to produce versatile, reliable horses suited for a wide range of riders.
“The school has developed a reputation for producing well-rounded horses started by students that non-pro riders can ride and be successful with, whether in the show ring or for recreation,” she said. “The exposure these horses receive in the program is invaluable.”
That exposure includes training across diverse environments, from arena work to trail riding and cattle handling. Students are responsible for developing each horse’s foundational skills and preparing them for future careers in ranch work, competition and pleasure riding.
For animal science senior Jaimie Knode, the sale represents the culmination of months of hands-on training and collaboration.
“The Cal Poly Performance Horse Sale is a student-run event where we are deeply involved in every stage of our horses’ development,” Knode said. “Students are assigned one or two horses and take responsibility for their training, care and promotion throughout the program.”
Beyond horsemanship, students also manage the business and marketing aspects of the sale. They contribute to social media outreach, produce sale catalogs detailing pedigrees and training progress, and work in committees to organize the event.
“Students become very familiar with their horses’ strengths and learn how to market them effectively to potential buyers,” Knode said. “We also gain experience in communication, event planning and digital content creation.”
This combination of technical and professional skill-building reflects Cal Poly’s educational approach. Students are not only training horses but are also preparing for careers in the equine industry and beyond.
“The sale provides an unmatched opportunity to apply what we learn in a real-world setting,” Knode said. “We are accountable for the success and well-being of our horses, which makes the experience incredibly meaningful.”
Each year, the sale brings moments of excitement and emotion. High-selling horses often draw enthusiastic bidding, with several surpassing $20,000 and a record sale reaching $43,000. For students, however, some of the most memorable experiences come from personal connections.
“One of the standout moments is when a student is able to purchase and take home the horse they’ve trained,” Moore-Jacobsen said. “That’s always special.”
As the program looks ahead, its leaders are focused on expanding opportunities while maintaining the qualities that have defined its success. Plans include increasing the number of 3-year-old horses offered, which may appeal to buyers seeking animals ready for more advanced work. The program is also exploring opportunities to market futurity-bred yearlings at external sales to broaden its reach and support operations at the university’s equine center.
“We want to continue developing horses suited for ranch work, pleasure riding and the show ring,” Moore-Jacobsen said. “At the same time, we’re looking at ways to grow our program and connect with new segments of the industry.”
For Jacquelyn Huebner (Animal Science, ’23; M.S., Agriculture Education, ’25), the 30-year milestone underscores the program’s lasting impact on students and the broader equine community.
“This anniversary highlights the dedication and growth of the program over time,” she said. “It represents hundreds of hours of student effort and the continued development of a breeding and training program that produces quality horses year after year.”
As the Cal Poly Performance Horse Sale enters its fourth decade, it remains a defining experience for students and a trusted source for buyers — a testament to the enduring value of hands-on education and industry collaboration. The Performance Horse Sale Preview is Friday, May 29, and the sale is Saturday, May 30, at the Cal Poly Oppenheimer Family Equine Center.
To make an online gift in support of the Animal Science Department, please use the GIVING link. If you would like to designate your gift for a specific major, scholarship, club or team, please contact Tim Northrop at tnorthro@calpoly.edu
Read more stories in the Spring 2026 Newsletter