Whether you’re coming to Waverly for the first time or haven’t attended a horse sale in a while, knowing what to expect can make sale day a lot easier. We’ve put together some of the basics to help you get around, look at horses, bid, and get your purchase home.
Getting Here & Parking
Admission to the Waverly Midwest Horse Sale is free, and there is no charge to receive a bidder number.
Free parking is available in our north parking lot, with a shuttle running between the parking area and the main sale grounds throughout the sale.
View Parking Location & Get Directions
Our grounds are well marked with signs directing you to the different barns, auction areas, office, café, and other facilities.
Lodging & Camping
If you’re planning to spend more than one day with us, Waverly and the surrounding area offer several lodging options.
We also have an on-site campground for those who would like to stay right here at the sale grounds. Camping information, availability, and additional details can be found below.
Getting Registered
Bidder numbers are available throughout the sale in the main office, and we prefer that buyers have an ID available when registering. You must be at least 18 years old to get a bidders number.
During our equipment sale days, bidder numbers are also available from the registration trailer located in the equipment lot.
Printed sale catalogs can be purchased ahead of the sale or picked up in the office when you arrive. You’ll also find the current sale schedule posted in the main office.
Come Early & Look Around
If you’re serious about buying a horse, don’t be afraid to come early!
Our café opens early, making it a great place to start your morning with breakfast before the auction begins. In fact, some of the best activity around the grounds happens well before the 9:00 AM sale time.
Hitching, riding, and showing often begin around daybreak as consignors start getting their horses out for prospective buyers to see. Arriving early gives you more time to walk through the barns, watch horses being worked, meet sellers, and do your research without feeling rushed.
Looking at Horses Before the Sale
We strongly encourage buyers to take their time and do their research before bidding on a horse.
Horses are housed throughout our barns and private box-stall tent, and buyers are welcome to walk through the barns, look at horses, and visit directly with consignors.
You’ll also see horses being demonstrated throughout the grounds. We have areas where consignors can ride, drive, hitch, and show their horses for prospective buyers. These demonstrations aren’t limited to a set schedule, so activity takes place throughout the day.
Records and other information provided with the horses are available for buyers to review, and veterinarians are on-site during the sale.
Ultimately, buying the right horse comes down to doing your homework. Ask questions, talk with the seller, watch the horse being demonstrated, review the information available, and make sure the horse is a good fit for what you plan to do.
How the Horse Sale Works
Our horse sale begins at 9:00 AM, with horses entering the sale ring in lot-number order. Horses being offered as a team will enter the ring together.
You can bid from anywhere in the arena. Simply make sure one of our ringmen can see you and raise your bidder card when you’d like to bid. The ringman will relay your bid to the auctioneer.
There is no buyer’s premium for buyers bidding in person. Online purchases are subject to an online buyer’s premium.
Once the auctioneer says “sold,” the horse becomes the responsibility of the buyer.
Buyers have until the end of the day the horse was sold to inspect their purchase under our rejection policy. If there is an issue and the horse is not as represented, contact our staff as soon as possible. Buyers should review the complete sale terms and conditions for all requirements and details of the rejection policy.
Paying for Your Purchases
There’s no need to run to the office every time you purchase something. You’re welcome to continue bidding throughout the day and settle your account when you’re finished.
We accept:
- Cash
- Check
- Credit card (3.5% fee)
- Wire transfer
After a horse sells, it will return to its stall in the barn. When you’re ready to leave, check in with our staff at the horse chute. We’ll help locate your purchases and assist with pickup.
Getting Your Horse Home
You’re welcome to bring your own trailer and pick up your horse when you’re ready.
If you’re traveling a long distance or purchasing online, you can also arrange for a commercial hauler to pick up your purchase. If someone other than the buyer will be picking up a horse, the buyer must complete and sign our Transportation Release Form before the horse can be released. Contact the office to get this form.
Buyers are responsible for arranging their own transportation, but our staff is happy to work with your hauler and assist where we can. Horses regularly leave Waverly for destinations throughout the United States and Canada.
If your hauler can’t arrive immediately, that’s okay too. We can board purchased horses until transportation can be arranged. Additional charges apply for hay, care, and penning.
Can’t Make It to Waverly? Bid Online
Every horse offered in the sale is also available for online bidding at www.waverlysales.bid.
Our online bidding platform provides live video and audio from the sale ring, allowing you to follow the auction and bid in real time from wherever you are. Online purchases are subject to a buyer’s premium.
If you’re interested in a particular horse but can’t inspect it yourself, call our office before the sale. We can help provide additional information or put you in contact with the consignor.
Online buyers can pay ahead of pickup by credit card or wire transfer, and horses can remain in our care until transportation is arranged.
Spending the Day at Waverly
Our café offers a variety of food throughout the sale and opens at 6AM every sale day morning, so you can grab breakfast before the day’s auction gets underway. Additional food options are also available outside during the equipment sale days.
There is plenty of seating around the sale arena, along with an additional area where you can sit and follow the auction on TV screens.
The facility is heated and cooled as conditions allow, but keep in mind that a horse auction is still a working livestock environment. The sale arena can be loud, dusty, busy, and warm, particularly higher in the seating area on hot days.
Everyone is welcome to attend, but families bringing young children or anyone sensitive to noise should be prepared for the busy sale-ring atmosphere. Dogs are not permitted on the premises with the exception of licensed service dogs.
A Few Tips for Your First Waverly Sale
Give yourself plenty of time. While the horse auction begins at 9:00 AM, there’s plenty happening long before the first horse enters the ring. Come early, grab breakfast, get your bidder number, walk through the barns, watch some horses being worked, and meet the consignors.
Most importantly, don’t wait until a horse walks into the ring to start deciding whether it’s right for you. Do your research beforehand, ask questions, and take advantage of the opportunity to see the horse and talk directly with its consignor.
We’re Here to Help
We know attending a large horse sale for the first time can come with plenty of questions. Our crew is here to help.
Whether you need help finding a horse, locating a consignor, understanding the bidding process, arranging pickup, using online bidding, or simply figuring out where you need to go, don’t hesitate to ask.
Before the sale, you’re also welcome to call or text us with questions:
Main Office: 319-559-2454
Email: admin@waverlysales.com
If you’re at the sale, stop by the main office or ask one of our staff members. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll help you find someone who does.
Whether you’re coming to purchase your next horse, bidding from home, or simply experiencing Waverly for the first time, we look forward to having you with us!
