Trigger, Trusty Friend to Roy Rogers, Up for Auction

By PopEater Staff Posted Jul 9th 2010 03:48PM

The stuffed remains of Roy Rogers' trusty horse Trigger are heading for the auction block next week in New York City, less than a year after the museum he was exhibited in shut its doors.

Christie's in Manhattan hopes to rake in between $100,000 to $200,000 for the famous horse, a golden palomino that Rogers had preserved with taxidermy after his death in 1965. The auction runs July 14-15.

Trigger had been kept at the Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, Missouri, until it shut down in late 2009. The beloved horse was ridden by Rogers in several of his Western films as well as the cowboy icon's 1950s television series, which co-starred his wife, Dale Evans.

Evans' own famous horse, Buttermilk, will also be up for auction and is estimated to sell for around $30,000. If that wasn't enough, bidders will also be able to purchase Trigger Jr., also $30,000, and the 'Happy Trails' star's dog Bullet, expected to take in $15,000.

The auction also will offer Rogers' 1964 Bonneville convertible, adorned with collectible silver dollars. It's estimated at $100,000 to $150,000.

Tags: roy rogers, trigger

Comments

(94)

Friday 09 July

By Leslie

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They need to be cremated and buried with Roy and Dale!

Saturday 10 July

By Molly

This is disgusting. This poor animal is dead and they want to exploit it to the world. Trigger should be properly buried to RIP :( Disappointment

By Bob

The Bonneville convertible too?

By Rhonda

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You mean more like they should be folded...their hides were mounted on a form in the shape of a horse,,,that's all that's left...

By BTDT

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Just an aside. Trigger was a plug.
Dale had to hold Buttermilk back because she could outrun Trigger.

Sunday 11 July

By Robin

Couldn't agree with you more!

By shar ing

how sad that they are not aready in a history museum.

By srmrkr

He and Dale adopted many children...why aren't they keeping these family treasures?

By Ned

His son, Dusty closed the original museum in Apple Valley Cailfornia where Roy and Dales lived. Dusty wanted to get a start in the music industry and moved what he couldn't sell to Branson. Before he moved it he sold off most of Roy's gun collection and anything he could get quick cash for. Looks like the music world didn't think Dusty was much of a singer. Hopefully, someone will buy Trigger that will take good care of. I wonder what happened to Buttermilk, Trigger II, Bullet(the dog), and Nelly Bell (the jeep)?

I actually met Roy at his museum in Apple Valley a year before he died. It was great to meet a childhood idol.

By carl

I guess they aren't keeping those family treasures because the law wouldn't allow them to stuff the kids like they did to all the animals.

Wednesday 14 July

By Hey Baby

My uncle has been in the music business for years and the gun collection sold last month. The museum was moved to Branson about 6 years ago! Could you imagine trying to divide up Grandpa's estate between all the kids? Who would get what? Some might want the same thing as someone else, etc. Our family is devastated to have to do this but this is the only solution unless we want the family to start fighting. My uncle is good person and thats not nice to say things you don't know about your "idol's" son.

By dkateybear

First I read that Wal-Mart was buying property where a civil war battle had been fought! Now Trigger's going up for auction!!! This is just plain WRONG!!!

By Rosey Maxim

This is terrible. Those should go to the Smithsonian, they are part of an American Institution. If the Smithsonian thinks Archie Bunker's chair deserves such recognition, then why not these artifacts. They were, after all, living, breathing creatures who were loved by a whole nation of small children back in the 50's. If not, I agree, they should be cremated and buried with Dale & Roy.

By Martha

They were part of many children growing up during that time. Agreed they should go to the Smithsonian and not auctioned off.

By CDevene

I agree that they should go to the Smithsonian as a testament to our American culture. (Makes more sense than the wax museums we have to contend with.) However, something tells me that the family might need the money. I hope that is not the case.

By gmbp44

I totally agree.

By Karen

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I grew up watching Roy Rogers, Fury and Flicka on Saturday mornings. Some things are just plain wrong to do.

By The Lee Family

To dkateybear: AMEN!

By RL

Happy Trails Trigger... This makes me sad.

By Mary Goetes

The people of Apple Valley, California were not happy when the museum was moved to Branson. Wish the family would move it back to where Roy and Dale lived and died.

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