Tag Archives: Western States Horse Expo

Western States Horse Expo and The Dave Hammond Horse Sale.






The Western States Horse Expo is coming to Sacramento which is about an hour away from where I live.

I torture myself and go there every year.  I mean, it wouldn’t be torture if I was made of money.  But,  I am not.  So, I walk around the entire place and make mental notes, drooling over all the things I’d like to buy or try.  I also chat with any vendors that interest me – while they are still willing, excited and awake (you should see them droop by Day 4 of the Expo!).

My strategy is to go back the next day to delve deeper into everything that I’ve noted so I can separate the chaff from the wheat.

And then, like a true bargain hunter, I go back on the last day and make whatever deals I can…

But, it isn’t just the mind boggling array of everything horsey that keeps me going back every year…  I  love the Western States Horse Expo for a few reasons.  Least of which is that it always falls around my birthday so I can strongarm Hubby into going with me to certain events.  And, it is those ‘certain events’ that make me titter with anticipation!

 

Click here to go to the website

SPEAKING OF CERTAIN EVENTS…

OK, first off, if any of you want me to get something for you while I am at the Expo, just ask in the ‘contact us’ item in the sidebar.  I am not promising anything, but if I can, I will.

The most exciting Horse Expo event for me is the DAVE HAMMOND HORSE SALE.

Click to learn about the horse sale at the Expo

THE DAVE HAMMOND HORSE SALE (I have no affiliation)

Let me explain.  I am like most of you.  If there is a horse sale, I’m suspicious.

How many times have we been to a sale only to find out that the horses were drugged or in some other way misrepresented?  I know that most horse sales that I have attended have broken my heart several times over.

So… when I attended the Western States Horse Expo a few years ago and saw the signs for the Dave Hammond Horse Sale, I went just to be pissed off.  I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I wanted to see how these particular horses would be misrepresented.

Silly me.

 

Click here to learn about the Dave Hammond Auctions

WHAT I SAW

Since it was my birthday, I dragged Hubby to the sale area.  We sat in the bleachers with a beer each.  I didn’t get a paddle.

The auction was gearing up to begin.  Because I didn’t have a paddle, I didn’t have a program.  “Whatever”, I thought to myself…

And then it started.

The first few horses came out and they were really beautiful, well trained and healthy.  Hmmmmmm.

The next few horses came out and they were even nicer.

It was at about this time that I started to really listen to the auctioneer’s banter.  And, honestly, he was very knowledgeable and said things that you’d want to hear at a real horse auction… He spoke of the owner or trainer, he spoke about the type of gear the horse was wearing, he spoke of the build and lineage of the horse… stuff you don’t hear at most horse sales.

I looked over at Hubby and he was so totally engrossed in what he was watching that he didn’t even hear me say that, “I might go get a paddle”.  He was absolutely caught up in the event.  And so was I.

Horse after horse came through and my head was whirling with the amount of incredible horse flesh presented before me.  Trained horses.  Well-bred horses.  Horse I’d like to own.

I kept telling myself that something was wrong.  I was sure these horses were drugged or something.  Yet, they were ridden through the arena and put through their paces without showing any signs of lag or drugs.

Hmmmmm.  Could I possibly be watching a legitimate sale of legitimate ranch, roping, reining, cattle, cutting, youngster, brood stock… horses?!  The more I watched, the more I thought that I wished I had put down the beer and gotten a paddle.

THE SALE

I’m not much of an officianado of Quarter Horses or any kind of Western horse.  However, I know good horse flesh and good conformation.  I also know Tom Foolery.

There were really nice drafts and mules and horses, and babies, and broodmares and mammas with foals… you name it.

This was mostly all good horse flesh with no Tom Foolery.  My personal opinion was that these horses would never have been sold like this unless the horse market was pretty soft  (which it is) and without the integrity of Dave Hammond behind the sale.  These weren’t your backyard equines.

At the end, I was upset that I never took the time to get a paddle.  Seriously, I was so engrossed, I didn’t want to leave and miss anything.

I vowed to come back the next year and preview the horses (the day before) to see if they were on the up and up.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR

So I went back last year except I went the day before to preview the horses.

None seemed drugged.  All seemed healthy and relatively happy, even though they were in a strange place with strange noises.

And the next day, Hubby and I attended the sale with our beer in hand, ready to enjoy the show.  Hubby actually came without a fight, that is how awesome of an event this sale was to him.

We were on the edges of our bench seats again!  We left very upset that, once again, we didn’t get a paddle!  So many unbelievable horses went through without commanding a very high price.  (This is good and bad because I always wonder if the ranches will not come again if their great horses sell so inexpensively…)

 

Click here to see the results from last year's auction

THIS YEAR  (Saturday June 11th, 2011 Cal Expo, Sacramento,  California)

*I’m so hoping the EHV-1 crisis will have subsided by the time of the Expo…  This is what Dave Hammond himself said to me about the outbreak:

“We are monitoring the progress of the containment of the outbreak through the California Department of Agriculture and the USDA.  We will follow the guidelines recommended by them and our Veterinarians.  Including whether to hold the sale or cancel it. The current outbreak is limited so far to only horses that were at the cutting in Ogden, their stable mates and the same for horses that went to a cutting in Bakersfield.  Our sale will not have any horses that went to either show or that were in any way exposed to those horses.  In other words we will not have any horses that were exposed to EHV1.  I have been doing the detective work to eliminate any horses that were entered in the sale and that are linked to Ogden or Bakersfield or that are even in barns of people that went to those two shows and do not have sick horses.”

…back to the blog…

This year I have decided to go without Hubby and to buy a paddle.  We shall see.

But, I wanted you all to come with me…  So, I’ve decided to show you a cross section of the sale.

Here is the website.  Right now, there are 126 horses for sale.  Not all have pictures but some have pictures AND videos!

A CROSS SECTION OF THE LINE-UP  (click here to see the entire line-up)

I’ve cut and pasted the photos and descriptors from the actual website.

1)  LL Truly A Cutter

LL Truly a Cutter


Peaches was shown in Reined Cow Horse classes. She won the Junior Bridle Class at the Idaho Futurity.  Currently shod but can go barefoot.  My 87 year old father holds her for the farrier. She has been used for Trail Riding, gathering cattle, sorting, parades and Wild West shows.  She also has been competing in Cowboy Mounted Shooting. She has won State Championships and has qualified for the World Championships 4 times. See her daily at the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Clinics at the Horse Expo!

2)  Goliath

Goliath

Goliath is a gentle giant. This Belgian beauty is extremely friendly and personable. The perfect pet and work animal, he rides and drives. Goliath approaches every person and vehicle seeking affection. When we aren’t trail riding him under saddle, we are feeding him, and the horse herd, out of hay mangers in the middle of 1000 acres. Goliath will come to the call of his name, parallel park himself next to the feed bunk, un-haltered and completely loose, so two people can climb on his back and enjoy a view from nearly 18 hands. For more information visit 3mmules.com or call Michael at 541-891-1246.

3)  Captain Jack

Captain Jack

CJ would make the perfect family horse. He has been used extensively on a large cattle ranch, branding sorting, shipping and doctoring cattle outside. Don’t let his small size fool you. He can go all day and then some, yet is still plenty gentle for the kids to take to the 4-H horseshow, trail ride or Gymkhana. He is easy to shoe, bathe, trailer etc. Feel free to call Sophia at 530-957-3329 with any questions.

4)  Mucho Lily Bar

Mucho Lily Bar

Lily is a super sweet mare that has been used on the ranch to gather, doctor, and sort cattle. She has been used in all terrain including rocks, sage brush, steep mountains, desert, boggy pastures, fallen timber, creeks, streams, and rivers. She is super sure footed and very smooth to ride. Lily is a very fancy mare with lots of crome, she will give you her whole heart in anything asked of her. Lily is a gentle mare that wants to be your best friend. She is good to shoe, catch, and loads and hauls great. For more photos and information go to http://www.thomasonquarterhorses.com/ Thank you for your interest!

5)  Sizzlin Kiwanie

Sizzlin Kiwanie

“Sizzle” is a super fancy gelding with a great build. He is gentle, great to shoe, catch, load, and hauls great. He has the speed and agility to go on and make a super rope horse and the smooth pleasure lope to take you to the show arena. Sizzle had been used to rope and brand on. He has been used on the ranch to gather, doctor, and sort cattle in the steep mountains, sage brush, fallen timber, trees, desert, rocks, meadows, boggy fields, creeks, and streams. Sizzle has a nice handle and a great side pass. He is a fun horse to ride and great on the trails. If you are looking for something with color and can get the job done better not let Sizzle pass you by! For more information on him go to http://www.thomasonquarterhorses.com/ and Thank You for your time and interest!

6)  Fever He

Fever He

This is a beautiful filly sired by NRCHA Supreme Cow Horse and Leading Sire Playboys Buck Fever whose first 11 offspring have all been Futurity or Derby winners, earning over $244,000.  This filly’s dam sired by NCHA Finalist and money earner Pavo De Peppy was a Northern California Reserve Halter Champion and High School Rodeo State Finals Qualifier in cutting and Team Roping. On the very bottom of the pedigree is a horse we raised by Mr San Peppy, Frisco Gene an outstanding cutting horse.

7)  Night Chex Nic

Night Chex Nic

She is a full sister to Lotso Chexn  Nic winner of $2700, multiple buckles and saddles in working cowhorse, and reining.  She has over a year of professional training.  She rides great in the hills, gathering cattle, or in th arena.  She hauls well and is a pleasure to have around.

8)  Peppys Freckled Star

Peppys Freckled Star

Sired by Soule Jule Star the producer of winners of over $732,000 and out of Peppy Lena Playgirl the produce of winners of $26,000. Very attractive mare, well built and great minded. “Penny” will ride, show at low levels or be an assett to your breeding program.

9)  Cowgirl Nic

Cowgirl Nic

Everything about this filly is Golden.  She has  a sweet personality and can do attitude that goes well with the perfectly golden color.  With a year of professional training on her , she is very cowy with a huge stop. She has been hauled a lot, turned back at cuttings and ridden our in the hills.

IN CONCLUSION

I’m sure there are horse sales everywhere… But, if you are able to come to the Western States Horse Expo, why not go to this sale as well.  It is awesome.  Or, come to this Dave Hammond sale and you can also browse the Expo… however you want to look at it.

I’ll be there.  If you come, maybe we can even share a beer or soda and drool together!

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!


 

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HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!



The Horse Expo is Coming! Part Deux – The Things in My Yellow Bag…






Well, as always, people had comments regarding yesterday’s post.  “What about all the Trainer Exhibits and Breed Demonstrations…” and “The Expo is so much more than just vendors…” and “The events are incredible there and you only spoke of things you could buy…”.

Yes, they are correct.  The Western States Horse Expo has a lot of stuff going on.  Olympians, Trainers, Hall of Famers, Music, Breeds, Horse Sales, Horse Demonstrations, Kids stuff, food…  there is even a water park (that costs extra)!  Yup, it is all there.  And, everyone should go and do what they like to do.  For me, I’m not that much into the other stuff.  I don’t know why.  I guess I just prefer the hunt.  I prefer walking around and trying to find that new, wonderful product.  So, I roam the Halls and occasionally trek out to the Food Court.  Sure, I pass by the Exhibitions and take note.  But, really, I know I can find breed information in many places, I can watch demos on my DVDR and I really don’t want to be tempted to take home another…  However, I know I cannot touch and feel gear, all in one place, very easily.  So, for me, I am the Ghost of Expos Past who rattles around the buildings, looking for new products to haunt.  And sometimes I test the homemade candy, too.  ;)

Onward…

As I stated yesterday, every single attendee at the Expo receives a yellow, plastic Pyranha (I have to look at the bag to spell that every darn time!) bag upon passing through the greeter gauntlet right near the entrance area.  I have tried to duck around them but they get ya.  It is their  mission to provide you with the yellow bag (with the coupons inside) and you are gonna get one whether you want one or not!  So, I got one.  I get one every year.  And, as I said yesterday, they get filled and really heavy very quickly.  I tend to stuff them up with cards, flyers, do-dads and what-nots that I think I should have to review ‘later’.  The thing is, later never comes.  That bag with all of its precious cargo, just sits.  It sits on a shelf in my office closet.  Luckily, it isn’t lonely because the yellow bags from all of the previous years sit there, too.

Well, yesterday, I decided to go through the contents of the bags from the last two years.  And, to be honest, last year, attendance was really low.   There were far less vendors.  So, I decided to incorporate two years worth of bags.  This is sad to me.  I love the Expo.  And, it is hard to watch the economy take a huge bite out of this market as well.  I hope it picks up this year.  I know that they have added Dogs to the Exhibitors list.  I guess horses and dogs go together and if it boosts attendance, I’m all for it.  Long live the Expo!  (Please look at the contents picture carefully… in the lower right hand corner you will see the green eye of my stalker kitty.  He stalks me when I sit at my desk writing…)

OK, now here we go with the

CONTENTS OF MY YELLOW BAGS

Here are some items I picked to chat about from the contents of my yellow bags.  These are in no particular order, I just started pulling out receipts and cards and flyers and brochures and the memories that went along with them…

1)  The first item I pulled out was a receipt for my metal chickens.  I adore my metal chickens.  This booth had so many inexpensive yet clever and fun metal art, I could have taken it all home.  They even brought huge furniture items!  I went back to their booth about 12 times.  I ended up with just the chickens, but I am sad I didn’t get the giant chicken they had there.  It must have been 4′ tall.  I would have bought it but I only had my small vehicle and it wouldn’t fit.  Lesson learned, always bring the truck!  Anyway, if you are ever in El Paso, go visit them.  The name is The Lone Star Group and the website is:  www.mylonestardecor.com.

2)  Bucks Bags (www.bucksbags.com):  I love this booth.  Well, I have a sickness when it comes to bags and purses.  I love anything with compartments.  So, honestly, a bag vendor isn’t really a horse vendor.  But, they are there every year because they make themselves fit into the category.  You’ll find a section of horsey related items like rope bags or trailer bags and the rest of the booth is just really cool soft containment devices of every sort.  My favorite score from last year was a very powerful but tiny flashlight that fits into your cigarette lighter slot.  So, you charge it in your truck and you always have a flashlight.  I bought one for myself and one for Hubby.  We both use it often.  I can read maps or take it with me if I forgot to leave the porch light on…  I also bought the lanyard attachment.  Now I can wear it around my neck with my whistle for trail riding.

I also had to laugh at the “beverage belt” that they created.  OMG.  Who is going to carry around 6 carbonated drinks among horses?  If you used that while riding or just feeding, for criminy sakes, as soon as you opened one it would spray all over the place.  Perhaps a better use would be just as a work-out device while mucking about outside.  Or, probably the intended use was for sitting around in a fishing boat.  But, regardless, if you are in a boat, is the cooler that far away?  Or, do you need 6 drinks before you want to move anywhere?  Or is this for hunting and you are the guy who carries everyone elses’ drinks while they carry your sandwich?  Dunno.  But, obviously someone suggested they create one and there must be enough people buying them…

3)  The “Oh, I wanna go to a Dude Ranch someday” brochure.  Yup, every year I pick up one from the gorgeous and welcoming booths of the Ranch Experience people.  Well, to my surprise, inside last year’s yellow bag, I found a brochure for V6 Ranch!  Now that may not be exciting for you readers today.  But, it is for me because I went to that Dude Ranch last October and wrote about it in my blog.  (here is the link)  Anyway, it was such a great time yet I had no idea that I had ever heard of them before.  Not only had I heard of them before, but I actually stopped at the booth and picked up their brochure.  So, I guess there is such a thing as a self fulfilling prophecy.  It is just too bad I cannot remember anything to realize that I just fulfilled a prophecy!  Still, you should go the the Varian Ranch if you ever have the hankerin’ to do the Dude Ranch thing in comfort.  www.parkfield.com

4)  ColiClenz Plus Pellets:  (link is here) Well, as I’ve written before in a previous post, my old tyme vet told me long ago to add tapioca pearls into their feed once a month (or so)  to remove sand from the gut.  I have never experience sand colic so I don’t know if my homemade remedy is working or if I am just lucky.  But. last year, I had a very sick gelding so I was jumping at anything.  And, this product caught my eye.  I think it is a good idea.  The premise is that you purchase this bag of psyllium  plus other stuff pellets and feed it to them on a five day program.  You figure it has to work because the main ingredient is that sticky psyllium husk.  So, why not?  Couldn’t hurt, could help. So, I bought it.  I used it and he ate it willingly.  And, when my gelding was exposed for science, there was nothing foreign in his gut.  So, either he was clean his whole life or got clean at the end of his life from this product.

But I want to caution you here.  (Not on the product but on the carrying of the product.)  If you see this at the Expo.  Don’t buy it and then lug it around all day.  Either buy it at the end of the day as you are getting ready to head to the car, or ask them to keep it for you in their booth.  The sack may look small but it weighs a ton!

Also, another fun thing about this product… the brochure I have has a different website than the one I posted for you.  I guess in a year’s time, they have gotten more backers or grown or something because what used to be sort-of MaPa  marketing is now really snazzy.  So, I guess this manufacturers day at the Expo was good for them in many ways!  I love those stories!

5)  Foothill Country Sheds & Shelters (link here):  I was so happy to be reunited with this brochure!  I remember being astounded by the workmanship and the low cost of these buildings.  Now, I don’t know if they ship to your area, but I hope they do or this inspires you to find “that guy” in your area.  Wow!  These were so much nicer than Tuff Sheds (sorry) and you could also ask for custom work.  And, they had a “show special” advertised right on the brochure so remember to ask for those in every booth!

Anyway, I guess my point is here that if you want a real wood building, check out the Hometown Joes who are at the Expo in your area.  They work hard to create  a presence in the market, especially with all the big guys at these shows.  Hail to the little guy who makes great shelters we can afford!

6)  Dr. Wacky’s Oweee! (website here):  Ok, this stuff has an odd name but I know the people and they are wonderful with wonderful products!  One of my veterinarian friends is behind this and he also created all the Healing-Tree products. I love them.  I wrote about how the T-Zon saved my mare in this post.

Anyway, I got hooked on this because, I hate to admit it, I get poison oak and ringworm often.  I know how I get the poison oak but the ringworm baffles me.  Anyway, the fact that I have huge embarrassment about my ringworm yet this bottle of salvation has a goofy name kinda sets me at ease.  And, so far, it works on both ringworm AND poison oak!  They have many products under this moniker so please take a look!

6)  I totally forgot about these guys!  ALEXIS TRAILERS (559-324-9999):  I kept their brochure because when Hubby and I were walking around, this series was the absolute nicest for the money.  I think one even had a propane fireplace!  Anyway, I remember asking how/why they were able to create these for so much less money and he told me that they make it all (interior and exterior) on the premises in Clovis, CA.  I wondered how any one manufacturer could make both the inside and outside well… He told me that he got his start making movie trailers for the actors when they were on location.  Do you know what I mean?  The actor goes to his “trailer” when not needed but not released for the day.

Now, this rang strong for me because, of course as you all know, I’m a Producer.  So, I’ve seen many movie trailers.  And, actors are difficult to please, lemme tell you.  So the fact that this guy can create movie trailers successfully makes me know that he can make trailers for the horse industry — at least the facia and materials will be correct.  As far as design, well, he is a horseman himself!  So, this was a perfect combination for me.

I already have a trailer and am not in the market.  But, when I am in the market, I will buy from Alexis.  And, it is also nice for us West Coasters to have a trailer manufacturer in our backyard!

7)  The Original Cinch Hook (link here):  Well, here is a perfect story of the little guy who tries something at the Expo.  I have in my hand a color card which is four sided and laid out very well.  It has pictures, websites, endorsements, you name it…!  But, when I went to the website, it was gone.  So, I goggled the name and Chick’s saddlery is now selling them.  The item is exactly as pictured on my card.  And, the Chick’s page has exactly the same wording as some of the card.  So, I don’t know what happened.  But, Chick’s now has the Cinch Hook.

As far as the product itself, I remember thinking it was a good idea at the time.  I remember playing with it and thinking it would make one less step while saddling.  I think I didn’t purchase it because it felt kinda spendy.  But, you take a look and see what you think.  The thought of not having to do the loopdelou each time you cinch up would be nice, eh?

8) California State Horsemaen’s Association bumper sticker:  Yup, I have one in the bag.  I really should put it somewhere on my truck.  It is a great association with a plethora of information and events for us California horsemen.  It has been around since 1942 so I think I could learn something by paying a bit more attention here.  Anyway, I am keeping the bumper sticker out and will try to remember to walk it down to the truck and then apply it somewhere.  But, I think more helpful would be to actually read over the site and join some things.  I’m bad at joining things…

9)  Last but not least, the brochure for the Western States Horse Expo Horse Sale run by Dave Hammond Auctions (website):  OK, I could be talking through my hat here when I relay my experience because I know NOTHING about horse auctions except that I don’t regard them highly.  In fact, I attended this horse auction kicking and screaming.

You see, unfortunately for my hubby, the dates of the Expo usually fall right around my birthday.  And, as much as he avoids the Expo conversation, invariably I will suggest that perhaps he comes with me “for my birthday”.  Big Pause.  He doesn’t show any outward appearance of the dread he feels inside;  but I know he experiences the heimlich gut punch of the take-one-for-the-Gipper relationship trap I presented.  Poor guy.
Still, I must say, two years ago we went and had a really good time!  I think the Beer Hut helped, but we had a great time —
You probably wonder how we could ever enjoy a horse sale because those poor horses  (my inner thoughts here) are dragged in from all over heck and back, they are probably all drugged and then they get sold to anybody who bids the highest.  I didn’t want to go to the horse sale AT ALL.  But, Hubby did.  And since I had dragged him to the Expo, I figured I needed to bend a little on this one.  So, off we went…
We sat on the very angular, cold and rump numbing bleachers with our beer.  Let me first say, I don’t think beer is a good idea when sitting at a horse sale.  I guess beer is pretty much a bad idea at any sale but the thought of clouded judgment as you bid on a live animal sounds sad to me.  As for me, beer or no beer, I am totally hopeless at Horse Sales.  “I’ll take him!”   “How much for all of them?  I’ll just take them all and everyone else can go home…”  Eeeeee.

Anyway, I’m happy to report that all of the horses on display seemed at the top of their game and not drugged at all.  The trainers were, in general, OK.  And, not one animal went for anywhere near a meat price.  So, I felt relieved.  I relaxed and got into the spirit of it all…  Actually, as I looked about the room, many of the bidders were very serious and had come here to find their new horse.

Honestly, I was really caught up in the moment. I was clapping and yalping with the best of them!   The auctioneer seemed to know both the riders and horses fairly well.  He would give tidbits of information throughout and would refuse to sell a horse if the price was too low.  Or, he’d say he would bring a certain horse back later if we were too blind to see how great he was… I know these are all sales tactics, but they worked!  I had a really good time watching the serious bidders bid.  Some of the horses went for very high dollars.  And, I truly loved watching the ranch horses work.  Most of them were in hackamores, rope halters or snaffle bits.  Yay!

So, I guess my point is that I dreaded going to this sale and I ended up feeling like several people found the horses of their dreams.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!




HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!