Auction of saddle to benefit Texas A&M equine program

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — A horse owner whose mare was treated at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences decided to show his appreciation in a unique way.

Ralph Gray arranged for longtime Texas saddle maker M.L. Leddy to provide a high-end, custom handmade cutting saddle for auction at the upcoming National Cutting Horse Association's Futurity Sales event. The top bidder will have options on seat size and style (such as cutting, cow horse or reining trees). Examples of Leddy saddles can be viewed online at www.leddys.com.

Western Bloodstock will handle the auction, and all proceeds from the saddle sale will benefit the veterinary college's equine reproduction program.

The auction will be Dec. 16 at the John Justin Sale Arena at Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. The saddle is expected to sell between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

"The people at the college were very helpful to me and I wanted to do something special for them," Gray says. "I hope this saddle will do well at the auction, so that proceeds will make a significant impact on their program."

"We envision the proceeds of the saddle auction advancing our research and educational efforts at the college and within the horse industry," says Dr. Dickson Varner, chief of theriogenology and Pin Oak Stud Chair at the veterinary college. "We thank Mr. Gray for this big-hearted gift and appreciate his support. We have a very experienced team of clinicians here, and providing excellent service to clients is a priority."