BUYER TERMS & CONDITIONS
SOUTHERN BELLE CLASSIC by BELLES IN BOOTS PRODUCTIONS, LLC
BUYER TERMS & CONDITIONS
Buyers should be honest and selective of what horse will fit their needs and riding abilities.
Cursory Veterinary Exams/X-Rays at the Sale: Cursory veterinary exams and x-rays performed by a licensed veterinarian and submitted by consignors are required and on file for every consigned horse. Should a prospective buyer desire to view the veterinary exam report(s) or x-rays, he/she should first contact the consignor directly. The Buyer acknowledges that Belles In Boots Productions, LLC d/b/a The Southern Belle Classic (SBC) does not maintain (nor require consignors to maintain) veterinary exams or x-rays past entry of the first horse into the auction ring. Buyers who desire additional x-rays or other pre-purchase examinations must have those completed prior to sale date and at buyers’ sole expense.
Horses with minor cuts, abrasions, or sores may be dismissed from the sale unless they are likely to heal normally without veterinarian care or treatment and are presumed to cause no long-term threat to the health of the horse. If there are behavior or soundness issues noticed at the sale/event, horses may be dismissed from the sale. All consigned horses are required to participate in the event’s Open Preview as well as the Trail and Versatility Preview.
Bidding: Bidders have the following options to bid: onsite, online, telephone, or approved agent bidding. Bidders must be registered before the start of the sale. All online and telephone bidders must be registered by noon of the day before the sale. Any online or telephone bidders attempting to register after this deadline, are not guaranteed the ability to bid during the event. All bidders are required to provide a current and valid driver’s license in order to obtain a bidder number. A Bank Letter of Guarantee (including bank contact information and bank account number on official bank letterhead) may be requested. All bidders must be at least 21 years of age. The highest bidder shall be deemed the buyer. If any dispute arises amongst two or more bidders, sole authority to settle the dispute as he/she sees fit is reserved by the auctioneer and his/her decision shall be final and binding. The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any or all bids. SBC reserves the right to refuse bidding to anyone for any reason to ensure an effective auction process. Consignor reserves the right to waive the sale (bids) of his/her horse before it leaves the auction ring. The auctioneer completes sale of a horse at the fall of the gavel.
Online Bidding: Online bidders must first register on the SBC website, then will be directed to register on CCI.live. Online bidders have the option to pay by credit card or wire transfer (wire transfers must be made by noon eastern time on the Monday, immediately following the event). Please be aware that CCI.live charges a convenience fee to pay with a credit card or debit card (International fees maybe more). No horse will leave the event grounds prior to full payment documented by SBC staff.
Telephone Bidding: In order to bid by telephone, a buyer will need to complete and submit SBC’s PHONE BIDDER FORM. Please contact SBC to request this form. All registered telephone bidders are required to notify SBC staff (via the email address provided below) of their payment method prior to bidding. PHONE BIDDER FORM and stated method of payment must be emailed to info@southernbelleclassic.com by noon of the day before the sale.
Agent Bidding: Buyer and agent are required to fill out the AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM completed with a notary signature. THE AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM must be emailed to info@southernbelleclassic.com by noon of the day before the sale. A copy of the agent and buyer’s current and valid driver’s licenses and a Bank Letter of
Guarantee (including bank contact information and bank account number on official bank letterhead) are required and may be emailed to info@southernbelleclassic.com or brought in person by the agent to check in at the event. Please contact SBC staff (via the email address provided above) to request this form.
Payment: All payments must be made to the sale/event office and must be in U.S. currency and/or drawn from a U.S. bank. Payment in full is required immediately after the sale by cash, check, or wire transfer (by noon on the Monday immediately following the sale). No horse will leave the sale grounds prior to full payment documented by SBC staff. Please make SBC staff aware of your planned method of payment prior to or at event check in.
Payment methods and fees are subject to change.
Care of & Pick-Up: Buyer assumes full and complete ownership and responsibility of the horse from the time it is sold in the sale ring. Beginning immediately at the time of purchase, the horse’s proper feed, care, and maintenance become the Buyer’s responsibility and sole risk. Buyers are responsible to pick-up purchased horse(s) immediately following the sale. If horses need to be boarded longer than noon of Monday immediately following the sale - proof of sufficient insurance must be provided to SBC staff. Do not take sale numbers off the horses, as they will be needed for checkout. No horse will leave the event grounds prior to full payment. Buyers paying by wire transfer should plan on their purchased horse(s) stabling over through Monday when the wire transfer can be completed and verified by SBC staff.
Stalls following the sale: All horses may stay in their current stall until noon of Sunday immediately following the sale. Nightly boarding rates apply if horse stables past noon on Sunday.
Loading out: Buyers must obtain a paid invoice from the sale/event office for all load outs. A licensed veterinarian will be onsite during the sale day for all proper paperwork.
Transporters: SBC highly recommends that Buyers hire a licensed and insured transporter. A transportation company will be onsite to assist with transportation needs.
Requirements for Transport:
Coggins – Required for transport into and out of the state of South Carolina: All horses sold are required to provide a negative Coggins test current within six (6) months of sale date (provided by the Consignor). The negative Coggins test will accompany the horse upon its departure from the sale/event grounds.
Health Papers and Documentation – A licensed veterinarian will be on the event grounds to provide all horses a Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI). All horses, regardless of transport destination, will be issued a CVI. A CVI and health exam fee of $60 will be included with horse payment at checkout (International Health is additional), no exceptions.
Equine Insurance: SBC highly recommends that Buyers purchase equine insurance immediately after the sale to protect their investments. An equine insurance agent will be onsite to assist with insurance needs.
Buyers Fees:
Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection and basic health exam- $60/horse (International Health may require additional fees)
Additional Buyer’s Fees: Online Buyers' Credit/Debit Card Convenience Fee (determined by CCI.live) –International Buyers' Fees
Boarding- Sunday night $60, Monday night and beyond (off site) $75 with proof of insurance.
Payment methods and fees are subject to change.
Private Sales: Consignors have given SBC exclusive rights to sell the consigned horses. All horses consigned to SBC must go through the auction ring. There are to be no private sales with Consignors either prior to or after the auction. Any horses “no sold” in the ring but sold outside are expected to be reported to the sale/event office.
Guarantee: This soundness guarantee shall be exclusively between the Buyer and Consignor only and does not include any other persons including SBC. Based upon representations made solely by the Consignor, all horses consigned to the Southern Belle Classic are sold guaranteed sound, by the Consignor only, that at the time of sale the horse was sound of eye, limb, and wind (unless other announcements are made from the auction block). Buyer understands and agrees that SBC, its owners, officers, principals, members, directors, agents, employees and volunteers are not responsible to independently confirm or verify the soundness of any Consignor’s horse by inspection or otherwise. Buyer understands and agrees that SBC, its owners, officers, principals, members, directors, agents, employees and volunteers are unaware of the condition of Consignor’s horse and therefore relies solely upon representations made by Consignor regarding the soundness and condition of the horse. All soundness guarantees do not include any period of time following the sale including time on sale/event grounds or transportation. Shall any soundness disputes arise; Buyer must contact Consignor and settle the dispute between themselves. Buyer agrees to indemnify, release and hold harmless SBC, its owners, officers, principals, members, directors, agents, employees and volunteers to and from any claims, liability or damages which may be asserted by Buyer of the horse on account of any alleged misrepresentation, breach of warranty, or breach of promise. Any dispute regarding the representation or soundness of a horse will strictly be between Buyer and Consignor. Soundness does not guarantee pass of an examination by any trainer or veterinarian following the sale. Buyers are expected to ride and visit the horse and speak with consignors before the sale. Buyers should only bid on a horse if he/she is confident in the representation, suitability, and soundness of the horse. Buyers are expected to review a horse’s available vet exams and x-rays prior to placing a bid and/or purchasing a horse. If Buyer desires additional x-rays or examinations of a consigned horse, he/she must arrange and have those exams completed before the sale and at Buyer's sole expense. The Buyer understands and agrees that the Consignor of each horse (not SBC ) represents and warrants to the Buyer the following (but not limited to): the horse is accurately represented, title of the horse- that it is free from all negative claims of ownership; the horse is sound of eyes, limb, and wind; the horse is not a wind sucker or cribber; the horse (if gelded) is not cryptorchid; the horse (if a mare) is not pregnant. Buyers are expected to do their research before bidding on a horse. Buyers are encouraged to purchase equine insurance to protect their investments.
Warranty: There is no implied warranty made by the auctioneer or SBC as to the fitness or merchantability for a particular purpose of any horse consigned to the sale. Buyer agrees that the SBC is serving merely as an agent selling said horse(s) for the Consignor as the principal. The Buyer agrees that he/she is relying upon any representations and/or warranties made prior to, or during, the sale are or will be made only by and on behalf of the Consignor. The Consignor is the sole responsible party for all guarantees, representations, warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the condition of any horse. Buyers should satisfy themselves concerning the condition of the horse before bidding or purchasing. Consignors are not required to replace a horse because of human/animal personality conflicts. In order to find the horse that best suits them, Buyers must do their research well in advance of the sale. The Buyer and sale/event attendees further agree to hold the Consignor and the SBC, its owners, officers, principals, members, directors, agents, employees and volunteers harmless from all loss, cost and expense rising from illness, injury or death of such horse, or loss or damage to property, and injury or death of persons, caused by themselves, their agents, or employees, or by the horse, subsequent to the time of purchase.
Liability: Buyers, Consignors, and spectators are cautioned to exercise care while attending the sale/event and enter premises at their own risk according to the laws of the State of South Carolina. Neither the owners nor any other persons connected with this sale/event assume any liability, legal or otherwise, for accidents to persons or property, before, during, or after the sale/event. SBC, its owners, officers, principals, members, directors, agents, employees and volunteers, and each and every landowner upon whose property this sale/event/activity is conducted, shall not be liable for injuries sustained by anyone attending the SBC. SBC and its associates act as agents only and are not responsible for any Buyer/Consignor misunderstandings or errors. All guarantees are for the benefit of and reliance by Buyers and are strictly between the Buyer and Consignor. All horses are sold “As Is, Where Is”. In further consideration of this sale, I (as Buyer) agree to indemnify and defend the SBC, its owners, officers, principals, members, directors, agents, associates, employees and volunteers, from all claims of injury, loss of equipment, loss of animal or damages to myself, my horse(s) or damages or injury to others’ owned or lien property from my horse(s), by entering this horse sale whether by negligence, breach of warranty, or any misrepresentation which is alleged to have been made about the soundness of any horse sold at the sale/event. I (as Buyer), by participating in the bidding process or sale of a consigned horse, agree to these terms including the release of any claims against the SBC. If any claim or dispute is asserted or arises out of or over the sale or consignment of any lot or horse sold at this sale/event, it is agreed that venue for any dispute shall be resolved exclusively in the courts in the State of South Carolina, and that South Carolina law shall control this transaction or any claims or disputes which arise directly or indirectly out of this transaction in all respects. By purchasing a horse at the SBC and/or executing this instrument, I(as Buyer) verify that I have read the above information/terms & conditions in full and hereby agree to be bound by them.
THIS AGREEMENT was entered into at arm's-length, without duress or coercion, and is to be interpreted as an agreement between two parties of equal bargaining strength. Both SBC and Buyer agree that this agreement is clear and unambiguous as to its terms, and that no other evidence shall be used or admitted to alter or explain the terms of this agreement, but that it will be interpreted based on the language in accordance with the purposes for which it is entered into.
These terms and conditions may be updated by Belles In Boots Productions, LLC d/b/a The Southern Belle Classic or its agents at any time with notice given to involved parties.
(updated 01/20/25)