A Western tradition that has lasted for 80 years now, the Red Bluff Bull, Gelding, and Stock Dog Sale truly showed its resiliency. The schedule had become very consistent from one year to the next, but after the pandemic surrounding COVID-19, the goal of maintaining normalcy seemed to be a daunting task.
However, with the dedication of the Red Bluff committee and its newly hired manager, Amanda Bradshaw, they were able to continue the tradition and host the week-long event much to the joy of the local economy, consignors, exhibitors, and buyers.
As the shows began, the feeling was that of normalcy. The location, the people, and sounds, all were much the same. But as a person began to notice details, it was very obvious we were in the midst of dealing with a virus that doesn’t affect some but kills others. Precautions were at every corner with signage reminding to help keep each other safe. This was a very big effort from everyone involved this year.
Being crowned a champion at Red Bluff is no simple task. Animals must perform at all times for the entire week regardless of species. With everything surrounding the week at Red Bluff—including the uncertainty if the event was even going to happen—I hope those who consigned animals realize the impact and seriousness of how close this event was to not being able to proceed.
The champions’ honors at Red Bluff take on a significant meaning in the industry. The stock dogs are a caliber that aren’t found in many places. When a dog is named a champion at Red Bluff, that added value stays with the dog for its entire life. The competition is so upscale and each animal is very talented.
One average trial and that dog’s chance at being a champion is destroyed. Dogs are trialed three times and evaluated by a very educated panel of judges. Each mistake is noted, and each dog must perform at its highest potential to be considered for champion honors. This year’s dogs were as consistent as any we’ve seen in Red Bluff’s history.
The gelding consignments was the only area that felt the impact of surrounding factors. The horse market has maintained unprecedented levels for several years and prices keep getting higher for better horses. New sales are being scheduled in an easy market and competition for good horses is increasing. With uncertainty around Red Bluff in early fall months, many of these horses consigned to other places, so the overall entries for Red Bluff were as low as we’ve seen for some time.
In all, 36 geldings were sold in addition to six coming 2-year-old prospects. Of these consignments, the quality was very good. Many top ranch horse prospects sold with highlights from top sires from across the country sprinkled in the offering. Many household-named pedigrees showed up this year and buyers were waiting to purchase them.
To be named a champion in the 2021 Red Bluff Gelding Sale, these horses had to possess a lot of natural ability and be handled with true professionalism to make it to the top. The overall average of the gelding sale was $19,006 and was a fantastic sale.
The 80th offering of bulls was as consistent as any offering we’ve seen. The auction itself saw 20 more bulls sell than it did last year, but the quality was definitely deeper throughout the sale. One noteworthy point that jumped out was the number of new consignors from last year to this year. There were several who showed up and brought very good consignments, one even being mentioned in the champions list below.
This is an unprecedented achievement. Normally consignors bring bulls for several years before champion honors reach their stalls, but the playing field has been leveled with technology, genetics, and development practices. The breed champions at Red Bluff were top tier in their respective breeds. The type and kind of bull that the industry is reaching for can be found at Red Bluff and it was apparent in the sale average as 282 total bulls sold for an average $4,586.
Below is a list of the champions that were selected at this year’s event. All those who consigned, not just these champions, deserve huge congratulations because every animal contributes to the overall success. If you’d like to learn more about Red Bluff, go to www.RedBluffBullSale.com to learn more, watch videos, and check in for next year’s dates. — Logan Ipsen, WLJ fieldman
Champion Halter Bulls
• Supreme Champion and Champion Red Angus – Kool Breeze Cattle Co., Adin, CA
• Reserve Supreme Champion and Champion Hereford – Barry Ranches, Madras, OR
[inline_image file=”7978fc5d0fc60fb1e14ab5788b4cd579.jpg” caption=”Barry Ranches, Madras, OR, exhibited the Reserve Champion Bull, a horned Hereford bull who was previously named Champion Halter Hereford Bull. Shown by Charlie Woo, Madras, OR.”]
• Champion Angus – Zanolini Cattle Co., Orland, CA
• Champion Charolais – Rafter DN Ranch, Condron, OR
• Champion Balancer – Louie’s Cattle Service, LLC, Burns, OR
• Champion Polled Hereford – Weimer Cattle Co., Susanville, CA
• Champion Maine Anjou – Brocco Show Cattle, Petaluma, CA
• Champion Shorthorn – Cardey Ranches, Turlock, CA
• Champion SimAngus – Little Shasta Ranch, Montague, CA
• Champion Simmental – Hinton Ranch Simmentals, Montague, CA
• Champion Calving Ease Angus – Westwind Angus Ranch, Oroville, CA
• Champion Calving Ease Red Angus – Chico State Beef Unit, Chico, CA
Champion Range Bulls
• Overall Range Ready and Champion Angus – Caliber Cattle Co.,
• Champion Balancer – Louie’s Cattle Service, Burns, OR
• Champion Charolais – Romans Ranches, Westfall, OR
• Champion Hereford – Morrell Ranches, Willows, CA
• Champion SimAngus – Little Shasta Ranch, Montague, CA
Ideal Jack Owens Bull
• Romans Ranches, Westfall, OR
[inline_image file=”072b7c23fd6de3f33d42d1260c175647.jpg” caption=”Jeff Romans (second from left) of Romans Ranches, Westfall, OR, exhibited the Ideal Jack Owens Range Bull with a Charolais. Pictured (L-R) is Adam Owens, Jeff Romans, Bryan Owens, and Red Bluff manager Amanda Bradshaw.”]
Overall Consignment of the Year
• The Bull Mart, Burns, OR
[inline_image file=”77848a38a63fb014e8f7383f6bde654a.jpg” caption=”Louie Molt (center), Burns, OR, was named the 2021 Outstanding Bull Consignor of the 80th Anniversary Red Bluff Bull Sale.”]
Champion Geldings
• Champion Cow Horse – Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, CA
• Champion Cutting Horse – Justin Wright, Orcutt, CA
• Champion Snaffle Bit – Justin Wright, Orcutt, CA
• Champion Conformation – Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, CA
• Champion Head Horse – Peggy Davis, Klamath Falls, OR
• Champion Heel Horse – Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, CA
• Champion Stock Horse – Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, CA
Craig Owens Ideal Ranch Horse
• Lucava Farms Inc, Langley, BC, CN
[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.”]
Champion Stock Dog
• Brian Jacobs, Hollister, CA
[inline_image file=”a77f861de2554e6e8967a05e861e40ab.jpg” caption=”Brian Jacobs (far right), Hollister, CA, exhibited the champion stock dog, Ruby, in a very tight competition. She edged the second-place dog by a single point and went on to sell for $14,000.”]
