Your association handles two things: recruiting stallion donations and promoting the auction to your members. We handle everything else. The website, the auction software, the payment setup, the bidder notifications, and the reporting after it closes. Most associations are up and running within 7 days of signing.
What Happens From Start to Finish
Step 1: You Reach Out
We walk you through how the platform works, answer your questions, and put together a custom quote for your association. No obligation at this stage.
Step 2: You Sign and We Get Started
Once you sign the contract and put down your deposit, we start building your auction site right away. Most sites are ready within 7 days.
Step 3: We Build Your Auction Website
Our team designs your auction site to match your existing association website as closely as possible. Your members click over from your main site and it looks like they never left.
Your auction runs on its own domain, usually something like [AssociationName]StallionAuction.com.
The site is hosted on our servers, which gives us full control over security and makes sure your auction emails reach bidders reliably. We also set up and configure your email at this stage.
Step 4: We Connect Your Payments
We use Stripe for all credit card processing because it integrates directly with the auction software and no card information is ever stored on your website. Everything goes through Stripe.
Your association sets up a Stripe account and we take care of hooking it into your auction.
Step 5: Your Association Adds the Stallions
Once the site is ready, we give you a walkthrough using the tutorial videos built into your dashboard. Most associations find it very straightforward after watching them once.
For each stallion you can add as many photos as you want, embed multiple YouTube videos, fill in the full pedigree using our built-in pedigree template, list the standing location and any additional fees, and set the minimum first bid, the bid increment, and a buy-it-now price. You decide how much or how little detail to include.
Stallions can go live on the site as soon as you add them, or you can add them all first, keep them inactive, and turn them on whenever your association is ready. Either way works.
Step 6: Bidding Opens
On your auction start date, bidding goes live. Bidders can register on your site at any time before or during the auction.
The system handles everything automatically from this point: outbid notifications, maximum bidding so bidders never miss a stallion just because they stepped away, and extended bidding so the auction does not end while someone is mid-bid.
We also promote your auction on our own social media channels when bidding opens and again as the close gets near, which gets additional eyes on your listings beyond your own membership.
Step 7: The Auction Closes
When the auction end time arrives, it closes. Any bids placed in the final minutes trigger an extended bidding window so there is no last-second sniping. Winning bidders get an automatic email notification. Any stallions that did not sell move to buy-it-now status at the top of the page.
Step 8: Buy-It-Now Period
After the auction closes, unsold stallions remain listed at the buy-it-now price your association set during data entry. They stay available to purchase until the buy-it-now end date you set. Once that date passes, the auction is fully complete.
Step 9: You Collect and We Report
Your association contacts winning bidders and collects payment directly. You decide whether to accept checks, cards, or both.
Your admin reporting panel shows every bid, every bidder, and payment status. Everything can be exported to Excel. Your bidder list and all data stays with your association.
The association does the part only they can do, recruit the stallions and talk to their members. We handle everything else.
Tom Bruch, founder
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Stallion Auction Set Up?
From the time you sign the contract, your auction website is up and ready within 7 days. That includes the design, the domain, the software installation, the payment setup, and your training walkthrough.
What Your Association Handles and What We Handle
Your Association
- Recruit stallion donation pledges from owners
- Set up your Stripe account for payment processing
- Promote the auction to your members and on social media
- Add your stallion listings to the site (photos, video, pedigree, pricing)
- Set the minimum first bid, bid increment, and buy-it-now price per stallion
- Collect payments from winning bidders
- Deliver stallion service contracts to winners
Stallion Auctions Online
- Build and host your branded auction website
- Set up your custom domain
- Install and configure the auction software
- Connect and configure Stripe for credit card processing
- Set up and configure your auction email
- Provide dashboard tutorial videos and a training walkthrough
- Promote your auction on our social media channels
- Handle all technical operations during the auction
- Deliver full post-auction reporting and bidder data export
We have loved working with Big Sky Internet Design over the years! They are very responsive and quick at handling all updates and changes. The Stallion Auction website is easy to use for both myself on the back end and our customers.
Krystal Bourdieu, Administrative Assistant, Arizona Quarter Racing & Breeders (customer since 2014)
What Dates Does Your Association Set for an Online Stallion Auction?
Every auction has three dates your association sets before it goes live, plus one flexible option you control.
Stallion Display (flexible)
Stallions can go live on the site as soon as you add them, or you can add everything first, keep stallions inactive, and turn them on whenever your association is ready. There is no required date for this. You control when listings become visible.
Auction Open Date
This is when bidding starts. Bidders who have registered can place their first bids. From this point the system runs automatically.
Auction Close Date
This is when bidding ends. After the close, winning bidders are notified by email and unsold stallions move to buy-it-now status.
Buy-It-Now End Date
This is when the buy-it-now period expires. After this date the auction is fully complete and the site can be updated for your next event.
Can the Same Software Be Used for Other Types of Association Fundraisers?
Yes. Several associations use the same software during the year to raise money auctioning off tack, saddles, training packages, clothing, and other items. It is not limited to stallion services. If your association wants to run a summer fundraiser or a charity auction, we can set it up at no extra charge.
Common Questions About the Setup and Auction Process
Will our stallion auction website look like our main association website?
Yes. We design it to match your existing association website as closely as possible. Your members should feel like they never left.
Can we make changes to our stallion listings after the auction goes live?
Yes. You have full access to your admin panel and can update listings at any time. If you need something on the technical side changed, we turn that around within 24 hours.
What if a bidder wins but does not pay?
You can require a valid credit card on file before anyone is allowed to bid. Most associations use this option because it significantly reduces no-pay situations. Your admin panel shows payment status for every winning bidder so nothing falls through.
Can our association run more than one auction per year on the same website?
Yes. Your annual fee covers unlimited auctions. Several associations run a stallion service auction in the spring and a charity fundraiser in the summer using the same site.
Does a bidder have to wait for the auction to open before they can register?
No. Bidders can register at any time, even before bidding opens. That way they are ready to bid the moment the auction goes live.