In only its second year, Traverse City Open Sales reached $4 million in sales for 15 top-quality horses.
In just its second year, the Traverse City Open Sales reached $4 million in sales while elevating the auction experience for buyers at Flintfields Horse Park. Fifteen top-quality horses from the Paul Schockemöhle Lewitz program sold to buyers in person and online, exceeding expectations for organizers.
The Paul Schockemöhle Lewitz program is one of the most recognizable names in European warmblood breeding, sales, and training. Located in northeastern Germany, the program breeds, develops, and sells horses that go on to become the next generation of elite show jumpers, as well as hunters and equitation horses in North America.
“To be honest, we didn’t expect this,” remarked Hendrik Schulze Rückamp, who served as auctioneer. “The interest was really sensational. We had great buyers, many clients returning from the first edition, and happy moments throughout the evening.”
The highest-selling horse of the night, Don Chacco PS, went for $600,000 to David Steward for his son, Julian Steward as a future equitation prospect. Just behind Don Chacco PS was Zafon, bringing in $400,000. CC Umami was close behind selling for $370,000, while Millions Milano and Diacco Blue PS each sold for $340,000. Horses sold across all disciplines, including three ponies in this year’s auction.
Several of last year’s buyers returned for the 2026 edition after the incredible luck they’ve had with their horses from the 2025 auction. One of those buyers was Kevin Gallagher, who went home this year with another purchase, Millions Milano.
“We’ve been really lucky with this auction,” Gallagher, who purchased Cosimo with wife Kelly Gallagher last year, remarked. “Kelly tried Millions Milano last week, and he was incredible for her. We wanted to go again; why not? We needed a partner for Cosimo.”
Another returning customer was West Coast-based Ashley Weiman, who has developed impressive horses for her business Romance Sporthorses. She secured Diacco Blue PS after purchasing at last year’s auction as well.
“He moves great, he jumps phenomenally, and as soon as I sat on him, he was the one,” Weiman, recently turned professional, said of Diacco Blue PS. “I bought a horse here last year, and I’ve bought multiple horses from Paul Schockemöhle over the years. I love them.”
Part of the appeal of this particular auction is the ability to try the horses in the weeks leading up to the event and spend time getting to know them. Buyer Michael Morrissey made the most of the preview period, riding Clarimero M twice before successfully bidding on the horse.
“I tried this horse twice and really liked him. He’s a big horse with a lot of jump and a really good brain,” Morrissey said of Clarimero M. “It’s an exciting night. There are a lot of good horses in this auction, and it’s a lot of fun to see everyone bidding on such nice horses.”
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Kat Billesdon secured United Dreams after a spirited round of bidding that had her table erupting as the hammer fell.
“He’s really pretty, he jumps really well, and he moves beautifully,” Brooke Billesdon said. “I didn’t think I was going to get him, but here we are.”
A member of their team added, “We needed a small junior hunter. We could have stopped, but she raised her hand one more time, and here we are. That’s what happens at a live auction.”
“The collection was nearly perfect for every type of buyer—from ponies and hunters to jumpers for international sport,” Schulze Rückamp continued. “It’s wonderful to come back a second time because you know the surroundings and how everything works. It’s a great venue, and you meet so many new clients here.”
Even for those who didn’t leave with a horse, the Traverse City Open Sales offered plenty of excitement. Visiting from California, Melina Nasab Keefe experienced the event as a spectator.
“Big purchases are emotional, and that’s what makes an auction so much fun,” she said of the experience. “Everyone here is competitive, and you can feel that excitement in the room.”
Her husband, Max Keefe, shared a similar sentiment after an exciting night. “The quality of the horses has really surprised me, but so has the confidence of the buyers,” he shared. “Seeing trainers compete for these horses makes you realize just how special they are.”
Event Director Matt Morrissey said the auction exceeded expectations and is already slated to return next summer.
“We built on last year,” Morrissey remarked of the second annual auction. “We exceeded last year’s sales, there was tremendous interest throughout the auction, and we’re already excited for next year.”
The success of this year’s sale reflects the strength of the collaboration between Paul Schockemöhle and Traverse City Horse Shows, and the appetite among North American buyers for top-tier European horses. With plans already underway for next year’s edition, the Traverse City Open Sales has firmly established itself as a highlight on the summer show jumping calendar.
The full sales catalog, including final sale prices and information on each horse, can be viewed at TraverseCityOpenSales.com.
