[QUOTE=Shermy;8048325]
I will fess up!! Let me just say, my friend had gone to college in Montana, so had gone to the Billings sale before a few times.
She had said on the drive there, if I wanted, she would bid for me. I said, ok, I will let you know, but assumed, I could do it.
WELL… this is a BIG sale, we somehow got seats in the 5th row, right by the “stage”. This adorable old man (the spotter) was right by us, so he could see us perfectly.
The bidding starts, I am worried I am gonna MOVE somehow to make a bid, so I have my arms crossed and not making ANY eye contact.
Again, this is my FIRST auction on any level close to this, we are sitting right by the reserved seats, so prob next in the actual ranchers that have horses at this sale. They looked the rancher part, were very nice, but tons of big brushy mustaches, lol.
On the drive, my friend told me not to do much once the auction was finished, no screaming or yelling, so I am ready to be subdue.
Hmmm, I think around the 5th horse, I start to get sooo nervous, I literally am afraid I am gonna throw up, seriously!! So, I tell her, she is gonna have to bid. Well…she starts whining she has to pee, tough, you are NOT leaving me!
I am tasting bile, as number 13 gets closer, was terrifying, sheer terror!! I am staring at the floor, trying not to puke, I hear 13, my friend bidding several times, I hear her say $3,200, the guy is yammering on, keeps saying $3,300, we have $3,200. I realize that WE have the $3,200, yes, I have been staring at the ground the entire time, so I look up, look at the adorable spotter, he tells me,“get your number out”. I must have looked confused, he tells me, he thinks this is my horse…so, I grab my number, auctioneer is still yammering on, then I HEAR IT, the GAVEL, I look my the adorable spotter, he says, you got him, I scream, then burst into tears.[/QUOTE]
Wow, gal!! You REALLY need to get out more!!;):lol:
But ranch horse sales ARE a great place to get a good, solid using horse (ALWAYS QHs). Many are ranch=bred, then used for 1-3 yrs, so they have a good handle, good mind, know where to put their feet. If they have holes, the cowboys/ranchers can tell you.
Western Horseman magazine always has TONS of ads for upcoming auctions from Nebraska west. Most are in late summer/early fall.
Funny that so many people here have never been to an auction…not just a livestock auction, but other kinds as well.
