RED BLUFF GELDING SALE
Jan. 24, Red Bluff, CA
38 Ranch geldings: $21,605
13 Mares: $19,269
13 2-Year-olds: $8,135
Auctioneers: Rick Machado & Trent Stewart
TOPS—2-Year-old: Metallic Bambalam, 3/27/2023 by Metallic Cattack; to Tom Buckingham, Bruneau, ID, $15,000. Mares: Reys Metallic Surprise, 2/22/2019 by Metallic Cat; to Lissa Miller, Oakville, CA, $36,000. Famous Lil Squirt 37, 6/16/2019 by Olenas Holey Sox; to Kirsten Gobel, Willows, CA, $26,000. Holiwood Hottie, 3/25/2021 by Smart In Holiwood; to Susie Hunt, Hydesville, CA, $26,000. Ranch geldings: Evening Nus Special, 5/17/2019 by Evening Special; to Coffee Creek Ranch, Ferndale, CA, $45,000. QueJanaisaplayer , 6/8/2020 by Cats Merada; to Alexander Hunt, Davis, CA, $45,000. Felynx The Cat, 2/12/2018 by Metallic Red Cat; to Curt Hubbard, Bonanza, CA, $36,000. Gimme Jo Vintage, 4/10/2020 by One Fine Vintage; to Clifford Swisher, Walnut Creek, CA, $36,000. I Needa Reyz, 4/23/2019 by Reyzin The Cash; to Jared Roen, Red Bluff, CA, $35,000. Sheriffs In Town, 4/28/2018 by Woody Be Tuff; to CH Ranch, Red Bluff, CA, $34,000. — JARED PATTERSON
The 63rd annual Red Bluff Gelding Sale was one that continues to drive the trends of an outstanding equine market for high-quality horses. As the dust settles from a week of evaluation and competition and champions are crowned, a crowd that will compete with one of the largest to attend an animal auction descends on the annual event. As sale time draws closer, there’s a buzz of anxiety and excitement. The introduction is made and the national anthem roars across the speakers. This year, local cowgirl Mahlon Owens gave a rendition that brought chills to the entire audience. It truly set the stage and horses began selling.
Every gelding, mare and two-year-old is strictly evaluated by judges for 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 named the Craig Owens Ideal Ranch Horse. Furthermore, committee members of 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.
Throughout the week, the sifting and grading committee has the authority to sift horses at any time. It is their duty to ensure only the highest quality horses are sold. Last year, the Red Bluff committee opened up sale consignments for the first time to mares. This decision has proven worthwhile as the last two years have brought in a very prestigious group of mares. Buyers have appreciated the flexibility a mare brings to the table. They can continue to use the mares on the ranch or in the arena, but now they carry the added flexibility of being able to enter reproduction as broodmare prospects moving forward. This year, the second high-selling horse was an outstanding mare by Metallic Cat that was highlighted by a 5-year-old pilot who really put on a great display. This mare could spin, slide, pivot, and respond all while safely carrying the precious cargo in Wels McFann of Red Bluff, CA.
The horse market has been propped up significantly over the last several years. Supply and demand have played a major role in this. The number of mares bred over a decade-long dip in production has created a shortage of horses available that are finished and ready for work type of horse. This is where Red Bluff has been able to maintain strong sales, and this year continued that trend. This year has seen the first sign of the middle of the market softening up slightly. This isn’t just a Red Bluff scenario, but industry wide.
The American Quarter Horse Association has reported double digit growth for several years in a row, which is now just showing up in the auction setting. Buyers are being given more options to choose from and the result is that high-quality horses are bringing as much or more than they ever have, while middle quality or lower horses are becoming recessed in their value. The offering at Red Bluff held a high standard throughout the sale, and the strong sale average of over $21,009 per head showed the respect these sale consignments carry.
Congratulations are in order for the entire committee and volunteers for this sale. This is an enormous undertaking and an event that has become a staple in the West for several decades. Maintaining a standard of quality has helped drive this sale to becoming a steadfast and consistently successful sale. For full results, go to www.RedBluffBullSale.com.
RED BLUFF STOCK DOG SALE
Jan. 24, Red Bluff, CA
16 Stock dogs: $10,984
Auctioneer: Trent Stewart
TOPS: JG Rusty, 2/14/2023 by Booker Ben ABC; to Pat Fulton Ranches, Bayside, CA, $23,000. RC5 Mimi, 9/22/2022 by SJP Eddie ABC; to Elwood Ranches, Montague, CA, $16,000. Wayland, 4/21/2021 by UHTRED ABC; to John Scott, Grants Pass, OR, $16,000. BUTCH, 10/19/2022 by Row Duece ABC; to Ty Thomas, NV, $14,000. JBC Drover, 4/28/2021 by Lonerider Boogie ABC; to Rob Brawner, NE, $14,000. — JARED PATTERSON
The Red Bluff Stock Dog Sale is a must-attend event every year. This event makes for a packed Don Smith Pavilion with standing room only. The atmosphere in the building creates that butterfly feeling and it truly is electric. Spectators, buyers and consignors sit on the edge of their seat to see true price discovery on their favorite dog through competition.
Dogs are entered into a three-trial competition where qualified judges score each dog’s every move. They are graded on how they obey the handler’s commands, control the cattle, how they apply and release pressure on the cattle, and how they maneuver the course plus various other traits the judges are looking for. Many times, a single point is the difference between one placing and the next.
The trials are always action-packed. A full audience of hundreds of people attend each trial waiting to see which dog will surface to the top. The first and last trials are held in an outdoor venue, which consists of a four-acre paneled off area next to the fairgrounds. A group of five yearling cattle are let loose and pushed to the far end of the pasture. The dog is then sent by the handler to fetch the cattle and bring them back with the intention of driving them through an open set of panels that resemble a fence line gate.
From there, the cattle need to be controlled and driven again before ending up at an open stock trailer where the dog pushes the cattle on board. The handler is only able to shadow and is discounted for assisting the dog. Many times, the full course isn’t completed, but shows how the dogs handle, obey, work and control.
The second trial is set indoors inside an arena on the fairgrounds. This trial is much like the outdoor trials except the cattle need to end up in a pen rather than a trailer. The cattle don’t have as far to get away from the dogs and dogs are able to show their intricate techniques and handling.
This year saw a very strong group of dogs, but in particular one leader from the first round. Jaime Gonzalez from Klamath Falls, OR, brought us JG Rusty a 2023 red and white male who won all three rounds and set the mark with being this year’s champion and high-selling stock dog. Long time stock dog consigning family VanOrnum brought two dogs to Red Bluff; this would be the same family who sold the record-selling dog last year for $50,000. They came to compete and RC5 Mimi had an extremely close second and third round to be crowned the reserve champion and was purchased by a repeat Northern California buyer, Elwood Ranch.
Congrats to all the consignors and committee members that work tirelessly to keep this sale at the top of its industry. Without the commitment of the committee, the consignors and the buyers that support this sale, we wouldn’t have much to enjoy.
RED BLUFF BULL SALE
Jan. 25, Red Bluff, CA
10 Polled Hereford bulls: $9,350
10 Balancer bulls: $8,100
199 Angus bulls: $8,080
5 Red Angus bulls: $7,500
13 Hereford bulls: $7,442
25 SimAngus bulls: $7,360
1 Simmental bull: $6,250
15 Charolais bulls: $4,933
2 Shorthorn bulls: $4,875
1 Maine bull: $4,500
Auctioneers: Rick Machado, Trent Stewart, Eric Duarte & Max Olvera
TOPS—Angus bull: Westwind GLI Ambassador 344, by Virginia Tech Statesmen; to Jessica Sanders, American Canyon, CA, $15,000. Balancer bull: MR Ninejay 01L, 1/7/2023 by MR Bruce 09J; to John Langum, Redding, CA, $13,000. Hereford bulls: CJB WSF 45C Victor 2311 ET, 1/1/2023 by Innisfail WHR X651/723 4013 ET; to El-Sur Ranch, Monterey, CA, $20,000. M 947 9059 IceMan 322, 2/1/2023 by PERKS BH 5017 Sensation 9059 ET; to El-Sur Ranch, Monterey, CA, $12,500. TMB WSF Newt 2304, 2/24/2023 by Churchill Majestic 903G; to El-Sur Ranch, Monterey, CA, $14,000. M 5162 2296 Goose 340 ET, 3/5/2023 by UPS Sensation 2296 ET; to Jess Ranch, Ione, CA, and John Oneto, Ione, CA, $13,000. SimAngus bull: LS Awesome 01, 3/19/2023 by JHW PLG Powerpoint; to Dittmer Ranch, Fairfield, CA, $16,000. — JARED PATTERSON
“Where the best in the West meet and compete.” Red Bluff’s Bull Sale motto is so true and accurate when you think about the quality consignment of bulls brought to this prestigious event and the enormous bidding activity seen to procure turnout bulls. There is no doubt that the quality of bulls brought to this year’s sale was as deep and consistent as they’ve seen for years. Several committee members made the comment that this was the least numbered low-grading 87 bulls they’ve ever offered at Red Bluff.
The consignors of the Red Bluff Bull Sale have remained consistent for many years. There is a core group of cattlemen and cattlewomen that bring bulls each year that buyers have come to know and expect their superb quality. Commercial ranchers around California, Oregon, Idaho and Nevada gather for the sale and many cattlemen purchase their year’s bull battery at this sale. In an age where consignment sales are known to struggle, this sale continues to bring uniform quality, pedigrees and consistency so these ranchers can assemble a group of bulls that add value to their calf crops. These bulls truly do come with a committee of rancher’s approval commonly known as the “Red Bluff standard.”
The bulls are sifted and graded stringently throughout the week. There is a sifting committee studying soundness, structure and overall quality. If the bull doesn’t meet their expectations, the bull is immediately sifted before it ever has the chance to reach the grading committee. Once the bull passes the sifting process, it continues to the show ring where it is judged in classes with its contemporaries and the classes are given a number grade. This number is then used in the selling order. Keeping the quality at a high level has helped build the reputation a Red Bluff bull carries and has driven the success of this sale.
This year’s unbelievable sale was one that stay with us for years. There was remarkable quality, outstanding activity, a huge audience and sale results that will take the air out of you. Almost a $1,700 increase was noted over last year’s record average event. I just want to thank all the consignors, buyers and committee members that make this event one of the special weeks of the year. A huge thank you also goes to Crystal Amen Photography and her generosity to allow WLJ to share her fantastic photos.
Bull Sifting Committee: Mac McGiffin, Red Bluff, CA; Matt Owens, Red Bluff, CA; and Bryan Owens, Red Bluff, CA
Bull Grading Committee: Mark Bidwell, Hat Creek, CA; Lane Russ, Ferndale, CA; and Joe Clarot, Modesto, CA.
