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bidders at the horse sale
Have you been trying to imagine what my most unusual hobby is? Did you think that it might be attending horse sales?
I know: it surprises me as well. This is the third one I’ve been to and I enjoy them a lot. Not only is there the opportunity to photograph people, but it’s a whole cultural experience. I don’t know one thing about what’s going on, the lingo is incomprehensible, the prices (sometimes) seem outrageous, and so on.
One of the best parts of going is listening to auctioneers’ patter. Here’s some things I heard at this sale:
- This booger is straight in the mouth and square on all four corners.
- He don’t flop his tail.
- He’s got tons of hoof and bone.
- He’s never bred a mare: he’s in riding condition.
- If you took him home and cut him, his butt would get bigger in a week and a half.
To be clear, these things were said in relation to horses. I don’t know if that makes it better or not, but I felt like I ought to clarify.
Levelland, Texas
photographed 11.23.2024
rodeo practice
My New England visitors and I missed the rodeo, which started just two nights after we were in town.
However, we were like moths drawn to the flame of arena lights across the road and went over to see what was going on. A very nice woman, who was holding a clipboard (the universal sign that a person is Definitely In Charge), let us hang around and watch the riders practicing the grand entry.
And like a lot of things that just fall into place, it was a highlight of our trip.
Post, Texas
photographed 8.6.2024
$69,000
Photography has led me to do some really random things. Like go to horse auctions, if you want an example.
This was the second one I’ve attended and I’m entertained enough that I’ll probably go to some more of them. The photography’s fun, but honestly the best part is listening to the auctioneers’ patter. That’s how I’ve heard things like, “He’s had all the outside stuff done on him.” and “Castration is not out of the question.” (This was not referring to the same horse, obviously.) And I heard, “…if you don’t know where your butt is compared to your feet…” which sort of reminds me of my own personal gracefulness.
Anyway, this horse sold for $69,000, in case you were wondering what the going rate is for nine year old geldings.
Clovis Horse Sale
Levelland, Texas
photographed 5.18.2024
a job to do
This horse and rider had a job to do – to show the horse to its best advantage in front of a bunch of bidders – and they both seemed to be real clear on what they were doing.
Random (to me) auctioneer comment: Not enough horse for him to go Denver.*
Mallet Event Center
Levelland, Texas
photographed 2.10.2024
*He may not have been referring to this horse. The combination of photos/notes/memory aren’t real clear.
young horse trainer
This kid right here showed several horses during the horse sale. He’s also – according to the auctioneer – “fixin’ to move to Muleshoe.” That’s not a weird cowboy euphemism, but an actual town name. In case you thought there was something weird going on.
Mallet Event Center
Levelland, Texas
photographed 2.10.2024
One Day | One Image 