59TH ANNUAL RED BLUFF GELDING SALE
Jan. 29, Red Bluff, CA
36 Geldings $19,007
6 2-Year-olds 12,750
Auctioneers: Rick Machado, Trent Stewart
The 59th edition of the Red Bluff Gelding Sale was extraordinary. Amid concerns over the coronavirus and crowd sizes, health regulations, and uncertainty, the first few minutes leading into the selling of the horses was one of the neatest experiences of my career. The gelding sale is always heavily attended, so imagine the large crowd full of anticipation, knowing the sale was going to be a huge success, while there’s always a fun and social event.
The greatest song in the world is our National Anthem, and Red Bluff did it right. The crowd was welcomed to Red Bluff and then the lights went out. It was pitch black except for one spotlight shining down in the sale ring as Brian Jacobs, Hollister, CA, rode his rare colored buckskin, looking like a slick gray stud in his healthy winter coat, with Jacobs holding our nation’s beautiful flag. Mahlon Owens, of Red Bluff stepped into the ring and sang a stunning rendition of the National Anthem while the crowd cheered passionately as she hit each big note.
[inline_image file=”c3950a58966701b9f95ea0470c1b9d8b.jpg” caption=”The National Anthem presentation just before the Red Bluff Gelding Sale Jan 29 in Red Bluff, CA, was superbly done by all. Brian Jacobs, atop KC Buckaroo, a 2015 buckskin, presented the colors and then went on to top the sale at $47,000. Photo by Crystal Amen Photography.”]
The scene sent chills filled with patriotism through the entire crowd. As soon as she was done, a video celebrating the history of Red Bluff’s Bull and Gelding Sales lit up the big screen with the famous Auctioneer’s Song playing in the background. It was absolutely spectacular, and the night was set.
Gelding after gelding came in and achieved excellent prices and the sale went rapidly through to finish with one of Red Bluff’s highest averages to date. The offering was highlighted with a few standouts followed by a very even set of solid ranch horses with the Red Bluff stamp of approval.
Every gelding is strictly evaluated by judges in various purposes depending on consignor’s entries. They can enter these geldings in stock horse, snaffle bit, cutting, or roping. Select horses are pulled out for the conformation evaluation and the committee selects a favorite horse to be name the Craig Owens Ideal Ranch Horse. Furthermore, committee members as sifters and graders evaluate the geldings for soundness and blemishes.
Veterinarians evaluate each horse for health and wellbeing. By the time the sale happens, these geldings have been looked over from every angle. This is why Red Bluff is so trusted in the West for good all-around ranch horses.
At every competition, a huge crowd is in attendance searching out their next prospect. Buyers from around the Western U.S. attend analyzing, researching, and building their purchasing plans for taking home a Red Bluff gelding. With the various events that go on, Red Bluff offers a horse for all level of rider.
[inline_image file=”7be05a3cc308adc413a5530387082e74.jpg” caption=”Exhibitors at the Red Bluff Gelding Sale have the opportunity to show their geldings in many different areas as shown here. Exhibitors can compete in Stock Horse, Heading, Heeling, Cowhorse, Cutting, Snaffle Bit, and can be selected as a finalist for the overall conformation champion.”]
The 2020 calendar year proved to impact the gelding sale more than any of the sales at Red Bluff. As most readers know, the horse market is definitely a seller’s market. Mid-summer and early fall—when geldings are usually planned to go to certain sales—had Red Bluff in question marks as the committee was gaining permission from the state health board to continue with the Red Bluff traditions.
The uncertainty forced many consignors to take horses to other venues, or they didn’t put the time into their horses they felt they needed, or for various other reasons kept some at home. Because of this, many perennial consignors didn’t have geldings and the sale saw the lowest numbers in at least a decade being sold. Regardless, the sale was excellent and the offering was very good.
[inline_image file=”6cf22fcd061c1ff6ff4b294eccb196ac.jpg” caption=”Heza Cuttin Cat, a 2013 Chestnut by High Brow Cat shown by Justin Wright, Orcutt, CA, was named the 2021 Craig Owens Ideal Ranch Horse and was purchased by Amy Anderson (far left) of Fort Klamath, OR.”]
The committee needs to be commended on their resiliency. They put so much work into this event and the success of Red Bluff doesn’t happen without them. They tireless donate their time without compensation to the betterment of the sale. This year, especially, was an effort by many individuals to make sure the Red Bluff Gelding Sale celebrated its 59th year. Congrats to Bob deBraga; Dusty deBraga; Matt Owens; Mac McGiffin; Art Sutfin, DVM; O.W. Hooton, DVM; Wayne Merhoff, DVM; Jon Sutfin, DVM; Maurice O’Keefe; Kenneth Owens; Nathan Owens; Bryan Owens; Martin Murphy; Kathy Ferguson; Justin Daugherty; Robert Staley; Roy Owens; and Kevin Terra, DVM.
TOPS—KC Tuf N Shiny Chex, 2015 buckskin by KC Buckaroo; from Brian Jacobs, Hollister, CA, to Lynette Rose, Potter Valley, CA, $47,000. LG Cookin With Sugar, 2016 bay by Kit Kat Sugar; from Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, CA, to Kenneth Owens, Red Bluff, CA, $37,000. Emeralds Irish King, 2014 brown by Heep the Iron Chex; from Peggy Davis, Klamath Falls, OR, to Atkinson Angus, Dixon, CA, $34,500. HesACatChex, 2017 red roan by Bets Hesa Cat; from Jared Jones, Santa Maria, CA, to Bob Staver, Red Bluff, CA, $31,750. Smokums Lil Lena, 2013 sorrel by AceInTheHole; from Jared and Kristen McClenahan, Galt, CA, to Josh Rogeds, Vacaville, CA, $30,000. Docs Cash In Hand, 2014 solid buckskin by Little Cutter Jose; from 3M Livestock, Beatty, OR, to Larry Strawn, Redding, CA, $28,000. Smokin Ike, 2009 palomino by JW Gillywood; from Ryan and Samantha Gallagher, Bonanza, OR, to Derwin Bullan, Palo Cedro, CA, $26,500. 2-Year-old: LR Hashtag Shady Jos, 2019 black by Hashtags; from Richard Montarbo, Paynes Creek, CA, to Eda Chavez, Milpitas, CA, $35,000. — LOGAN IPSEN
