The 2014 Simon Bucking Stock Sale, January 14-15, Guthrie, Okla., – Todd Brewer
story by Lindsay Whelchel
Qualifiers to the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in January won’t be the only ones with a chance to hit the jackpot.
Opportunity is knocking in full force for stock contractors and contestants alike at the Simon Bucking Stock Sale, held Jan. 12-13, 2016 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. Just a short drive north of Oklahoma City, and occurring right before the IFR, is a chance for contractors to sell their best stock for profit, or for those wanting to increase their herd, find just what they’re looking for.
Joe Simon has been in the stock business since childhood, taking over the company that was started by his father over 50 years ago. Joe and wife Sharon have built up the business to the professional rodeo level. They began the Simon Bucking Stock Sale around 30 years ago.
“It’s the largest, in numbers, bucking stock sale in the country,” Sharon explains. They’re expecting around 500 head this year. Their record was close to 800. And the number of stock isn’t the only thing climbing the charts. Purchase prices soar too.
“We always encourage people to bring their best animals. Last year I think we sold one for $35,000, one for $40,000. We sold, a couple years ago, a bull for $60,000, which at that time I think was the record, so we’ve always sold good stock,” Sharon says.
Another benefit to the sale is the variety she adds.
“There’s plenty of buyers, and there are buyers for a little bit of everything. Everyone is looking for the superstar, but there are also buyers there that buy amateur rodeo horses or high school horses, high school bulls, college level. It attracts the big buyers, the people that spend the money, they’re looking for the superstar.”
There will be four horse futurities to showcase the animals for sale. The 2-year-old and 3-year-old futurities will buck horses with dummies but the saddle bronc and bareback futurities offer a large prize money incentive, and they will be taking a lot of riders for the event, Sharon says. Last year they paid out over $21,000 in prize money to contestants alone. There is also the option of offering bulls and horses for sale in the regular portion of the sale.
It’s a prime time of year for the sale and there’s something in it for everyone it seems.
“A lot of people are in town. There are a lot of people around for the IFR. They can go to the sale and go to the IFR, and contractors that have stock at the IFR are in town for the sale, so it kind of makes it a one stop shop.” Sharon says.
The sale is held Tuesday and Wednesday Jan 12-13 starting at 10 a.m.
For more information go to: jshorsecompany.com
