The sale originated as a way to bring quality bulls to cattlemen in the Klamath Basin and improve the quality of the stock grown here. It attracts consignors from many states.

The cattlemen also hope to show community members more of their way of life, giving them “the opportunity to meet the people who produce the food that feeds the nation … and witness the tradition and culture of their Western heritage,” according to the event brochure.

Bulls and horses brought to the sale are “sifted” — graded and judged, and according to Adra Campbell, an event organizer, only the best quality livestock is accepted for consignment. There are 107 bulls in the catalogue this year, and after the sifting process, she estimates perhaps 90 will make it to sale.

“They make it exciting and they’re very fast,” Hagglund said.

At the 2011 sale, 54 pen and halter bulls sold for a total of $188,250. The top price was $5,800, with an average price of $3,486.11. Thirteen horses were sold last year, with a top price of $7,100, and an average price of $3,691.67.

One of the most entertaining parts of the competitions are the cow dog trials, according to Ambrose McAuliffe of Fort Klamath, who raises cow dogs.

The challenge is for the handler, on horseback, to communicate with the dog what it has to do to handle obstacles like chutes, panels or pens in the arena in about 7 or 8 minutes, including moving cattle from one point to another, earning points for each obstacle.

Other ranch skills contests

“It’s a real Western cowboy’s contest, said Don Hagglund, one of the event organizers. “It’s an old culture of roping — in a slow, safe way that creates less stress on the cattle.”

During open branding, more experienced cowboys form teams to outwit four calves in a pen. The teams have to capture the calves just as they might at a roundup when they are branded to identify the ranch to which they belong, rope tie each one head and heel and, in this event, brand them with paint.

The rodeo event is more a competition among experienced cowboys displaying the skills used in everyday life on a working ranch than rather than bucking broncos and bull riding.

There are two events for those who love to watch the partnership between the working ranch hand and his horse.

Stock horse class is a contest for working ranch horses not consigned for sale at auction. Open snaffle is for younger horses, and there also are bridle and ranch horse events. In the latter, a horse and rider box a cow, take it down the fence, pen it, let it out, rope it and go to the gate.

Local vendors as well as some from as far away as Nevada and Canada will have displays of Western clothing, food and ranch supplies. Many of the vendors are returning favorites according to Jennifer Wampler, an event coordinator.

A benefit auction for Water For Life will be offered between the bull and horse sales. Water for Life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting agricultural water rights while advocating responsible stewardship of the land. Numerous items have been donated for the auction, including a silver inlaid bridle and a saddle.

It’s competitive, with each bull in the running to be Supreme Champion, the title given to the top bull of any breed at the sale.

“It’s a lot of luck,” Glenda said. “There are a lot of good cattle at the bull sale every year.”

Having an event like the Klamath Bull and Horse Sale, which begins Feb. 2, is important for local producers, Glenda said. It allows local ranchers to buy bulls from other regions that have different genetics and qualities, and it gives small-time local bull breeders a chance to market their animals to buyers from all over.

The Stilwells are auctioning a 2-year-old Limousin bull at this year’s sale. Glenda led the allblack, 2,000-pound animal from a barn stall to a pen Tuesday morning. The bull is almost showready; he just had a bath and a haircut. He’s been halter-broken so someone can lead him by rope.

Glenda also sits on the Klamath Bull Sale Committee, which helps organize the annual event. A three-member panel will score all the bulls at the sale and pick champions for each breed and a supreme champion. A third consecutive win isn’t likely, Glenda said.

The Stilwells run about 70 head of cattle on their ranch, Country Inn Cattle Co., about 10 miles north of Klamath Falls near the eastern shore of Upper Klamath Lake. They have seven yearling bulls ready to go to market this year.

“It’s something that has been important to our family for a long time,” she said about the sale.

H&N photo by Joel Aschbrenner

Glenda Stilwell will auction her 2-year-old Limousin breed bull at this year’s Klamath Bull and Horse Sale. Her bulls have won Supreme Champion at the event each of the past two years.