Hand-in-hoof approach makes Delaware Valley University consignment special

by Matthew Lomon

The Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s (SHSC) yearling auction in Harrisburg, PA, marks a significant milestone for the Equine Management students at Delaware Valley University, bringing full circle a journey that began long before their yearlings’ first steps.

“From day one, these yearlings and these students are together, and everybody’s working in tandem to prep them,” said Olivia Spofford, interim manager of the Sydney J. Markovitz Equine Breeding Center at Delaware Valley.

“Once our students foal these horses out through the Advanced Reproduction course, they’re with them the whole way. They’re with them through the summer, and once they’re ready to start prepping in the fall, it’s right back to it. It’s incredible for our students to be a part of that. I was fortunate to have that experience as a student, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Spofford, who originally enrolled at Delaware Valley to study Livestock Science and Management, stepped into her current position after graduating with her Equine Management degree in the spring.

It was during her time at DelVal — as it’s known around campus — that she discovered a profound connection to the animal that’s now central to her personal and professional lives.

“I barely had any experience with horses beyond mucking a stall or leading one around,” Spofford said. “I had been around them, but I never had to care for them and learn about them. I got the opportunity to do that here, and I did it all four years through college.”

Spofford credited Jenna Reigle, the former breeding center manager at DelVal, for bridging her passion with the knowledge and skills to build a career.

“Jenna was my mentor in that she taught me everything I know, and now, I don’t know who I am without horses,” Spofford said. “I couldn’t imagine myself without them. I don’t know how I lived before.

“I was starstruck by them, especially the horses here. They are captivating and well-mannered and amazing to work with. I truly love seeing them be born, raising them, and then sending them to the sale. It’s very full circle, and it feels way different being in the front seat now. I didn’t think in a million years I would be given the opportunity to do it, and then it happened, and I’ve loved every second of it.”

Spofford and her students will be banking on that firsthand experience when their eight-horse consignment parades through the sales ring at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, starting on Day 2 (Tuesday, Nov. 3) with Hip #248 Fate Of Ophelia and Hip #268 Classy.

The former is a nod to West Reading, PA’s Taylor Alison Swift, while the latter comes from a mare near and dear to Spofford.
“I’m really excited about our beautiful Captain Corey trotting filly, Fate Of Ophelia,” Spofford said. “I think she’s beautiful, for one, and she’s very nicely put together. She’s a very correct horse, and she’s a powerhouse.

“I am also eager to see our other trotting filly, an Ecurie D DK, named Classy. She’s another beautiful, really well put together filly. I have a very strong love for her mother, Contender Hanover, who has an amazing bloodline.”

Pennsylvania royalty remains well represented on Day 3, courtesy of Hip #795 Saquon, named in honor of Penn State alum and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

The son of Ecurie D DK—Miss Marina Fine took an under-the-radar route to the big stage, but like his superstar namesake, the equine Saquon is a natural athlete.

“He was born on Super Bowl Sunday when the Eagles won in 2025, so naming him after Saquon Barkley was the least we could do,” said Spofford with a laugh.

“He is big and beautiful, and he really came around and surprised me. He is just striking. He’s a big, dark colt, and he’s really athletic. His video was beautiful. I’m really impressed with the way he performed, and I love the way he moves.”

Rounding out the pacing fillies’ side of Delaware Valley’s 2026 sales roster are Hip #625 Stay Bougie (Stay Hungry—Baby Bugatti G) and Hip #923 Always A Delight (Always B Miki—Winbak Delight).

The consignment also features three more colts, two trotting: Hip #817 The Kraken (Green Manalishi S—Ocean Love Potion), Hip #908 Life On Tap (Volume Eight—To The Good Life), and one pacing: Hip #636 Climb Everest (Stay Hungry—Bid Writer).

“I’m very proud of our yearlings and students this year,” Spofford said. “It’s very rewarding because you can tell from the start to the end how much progress these horses have made, and the students themselves, too. It’s a very symbiotic relationship.”