Outta the Ashes (Pheonix)
Updated October 17, 2026
| Lot number | 2 |
| Auction | Bluegrass Mustang Makeover 2026 |
| Date | October 31, 2026 at 8:55 PM CDT |
| Auction house | Longhorn Video Auction Group |
| Location | Piedmont, South Dakota |
120-Day Training Story Phoenix is the kind of horse who makes you want to keep finding new things to try. He's quiet, curious, athletic, willing, and has a fantastic thinking brain. With approximately 120 days of training and human interaction, he has already packed a ridiculous amount of experience into a short amount of time. Phoenix has been ridden in and out of the arena, bareback, through obstacles, in town, in parades and grand entries, around sound systems and crowds, and has participated in drill team, pickup races, trick riding and more. He: Walks, trots and canters under saddle Loads, ties, bathes and stands for grooming/farrier work Crosses water, bridges, tarps, poles and obstacles Carries flags, swings a rope and drags objects Opens gates Jumps Has been shot off of Knows tricks including bowing and some liberty work Has been exposed to kids, public events, school visits and church functions And somehow, he's still looking for the next thing to learn. Phoenix's trainer sees him excelling in mounted shooting, playdays, showing, ranch work, trail riding, trick riding or as a fun all-around family performance horse. He is not being represented as a finished, push-button horse. He is young and still learning, so he'll do best with a confident rider who wants to continue developing him. Phoenix's new owner will also receive a custom halter from Arrow S Custom Designs and a bag of Kalm 'N EZ feed from Cleaver Farm & Home. The hard part isn't getting Phoenix to try. The hard part is coming up with something he hasn't already figured out. Trainer Biography Rilee, 26, is a horse trainer, barrel racer, and equine industry professional from Southeast Kansas. Raised on a second-generation farm and ranch, she has spent nearly two decades involved in the horse industry, gaining experience through competition, horse training, rodeo, event production, and western industry marketing. As the owner of Rafter J Equine & Cattle, Rilee specializes in colt starting, tune-ups, problem horses, beginner riding lessons, and barrel racing instruction. Her training philosophy is built on consistency, communication, and creating a strong foundation that develops both confident horses and capable riders. Alongside her training career, Rilee brings extensive experience in event promotion, sponsorship development, and western marketing, allowing her to connect with and educate horse owners across the industry. A former rodeo queen, drill team captain, and longtime competitor, Rilee is passionate about sharing quality horsemanship and serving as a positive ambassador for the western lifestyle.
