BUYER TERMS & CONDITIONS
BUYER TERMS & CONDITIONS – BELLES IN BOOTS PRODUCTIONS, LLC
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 abrasions, cuts, or sores may be sifted at the sale unless they are likely to heal normally without veterinarian care and treatment and are presumed to cause no long-term threat to the horse’s health. If there are behavior or soundness issues noticed at sale, horses may be pulled from the sale. All sale horses are required to participate in the event’s Open Preview as well as the Trail and Versatility Preview.
Consignors understand that if their horse does not pass the sale sifting process, the horse will be pulled from the sale and consignment fee will be forfeited.
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 between or 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. Seller reserves the right to waive the sale (bids) of his/her horse before it leaves the auction ring. The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The auctioneer completes sale of a horse at the fall of the gavel. SBC reserves the right to refuse bidding to anyone for any reason to ensure an effective auction process.
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 4.6-4.8% 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. It is the new owner’s responsibility and sole risk from the time of purchase for the horse’s proper feed, care, and maintenance. Buyers will be responsible to pick-up purchased horse(s) immediately following the sale or boarding fees will be assessed (see rates below). 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).
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 protect their investments and purchase equine insurance immediately after the sale. 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 requires additional)
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: Absolutely no private sales with consignors either prior to or after the auction. Consignors have given SBC, exclusive rights for selling the consigned horses. All horses consigned to SBC must go through the auction ring. Any horses “no sold” in the ring but sold outside are expected to be reported to the sale/event office.
Guarantee: Based upon representations made solely by the horse Consignor, all horses consigned are sold guaranteed sound by the consignor only that at the time of sale the horse was sound of limb, wind, and eye unless other announcements are made from the auction block. This soundness guarantee shall be exclusively between buyer and consignor only and does not include any other persons including SBC. Buyer understands and agrees that SBC, its principals, directors, officers, agents, owners, members, employees and volunteers are not responsible to perform any inspection or to independently confirm or verify the soundness of any consignor’s horse. Buyer understands and agrees that SBC, its principals, directors, officers, agents, owners, members, employees and volunteers are unaware of the condition of consignor’s horse, and therefore is relying solely upon representations made by consignor regarding the condition of the horse and that the horse is sound. All soundness guarantees do not include any time period following the sale including transportation. Buyers are encouraged to purchase equine insurance to protect their investments. Shall any soundness disputes arise; buyer must contact the consignor and settle the dispute between the two of them and buyer agrees to indemnify, release and hold harmless SBC, its principals, directors, officers, agents, owners, members, employees and volunteers to and from any claims, liability or damages which may be asserted by buyer of the horse on account of any breach of warranty, breach of promise or alleged misrepresentation. In the event it is determined that the defect was present at the time of sale, the consignor is required to trade the buyer a horse of same value. If the horse is determined not to have the alleged defect, the sale of said horse is valid and enforceable and purchaser assumes all costs of examination, treatment, and sale purchase price. Soundness does not guarantee pass of a check by any veterinarian or trainer following the sale. Buyers are expected to ride and visit the horse and speak with consignors before the sale giving them the confidence they need to bid on sale day. If buyer desires additional x-rays or examinations performed on the horse, he/she needs to 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): title of the horse, free from all claims of ownership; the horse is sound of limb, eyes, and wind; the horse is not a cribber or wind sucker; the horse is not cryptorchid; the horse is not pregnant; the horse is exactly what they represent it to be. Buyers are expected to do their homework and research before bidding on a horse.
Warranty: There is no implied warranty made by auctioneer or SBC as to the merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of any horse in the sale. The buyer agrees that he/she is relying upon any warranties or representations made prior to or during the sale to be made only by and on behalf of the consignor. Buyer agrees that the SBC is serving merely an agent selling said horse(s) for the consignor as the principal. The consignor is the sole responsible party for all representations, warranties, and guarantees expressed or implied concerning the condition of any horse and buyers should satisfy themselves concerning the condition before purchasing. Consignors will not replace horse because of human/animal personality conflicts. Buyers must do their homework/research well in advance of the sale to find the horse that best fits them. The buyer and sale/event attendees further agree to hold the consignor and the SBC, its principals, directors, officers, agents, owners, members, 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, sellers, 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 principals, directors, officers, agents, owners, members, employees and volunteers, and each and every landowner, municipal and/or government agency upon whose property this 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/seller/consignor errors or misunderstandings. All guarantees are for the benefit and reliance by buyers and are strictly between the buyer and the seller of the horse. All horses are sold “As Is- Where Is”. In further consideration of this sale, I (as buyer) agree to indemnify and defend the SBC and its agents and associates, from all injury, loss of equipment, loss of animal or damages to myself, my horse(s) or damages or injury to others 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. The undersigned by executing this instrument delivers said agreement to the SBC and declares them free of all claims. 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 verify that I have read the above information/terms & conditions in full and hereby agree to be bound by them.
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 11/11/24)