APRIL 2000 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 04/06/2000; 2:00:00PM.
Salmon Select Horse Sale Celebrates 27th Year
by Susan DudasikWhen Fred Snook and Walter "Ed" Jones held the Diamond F Ranch and Walter "Ed" Jones Production Sale back in 1971. Little did they know they were creating an event that would soon become billed as one of Salmon, Idaho's premiere events, the Salmon Select Sale. All they wanted was to sell horses. Seventy-seven horses sold at that first sale, with the high-seller going for $640 and gross sales of $8,545. Last year two horses tied for the high-selling title at $5,000 and according to Sale Chairman, Fred Snook, Jr., the gross sales were $352,000. But the title of top selling horse is held by a nine year-old palomino gelding, Huggie Salute, who sold for $10,000 in 1998.
Though a limited number of horses are accepted, according to Snook, there are already 150 horses consigned for this year's sale, April 14-16, at the Lemhi County Fairgrounds in Salmon, ID. And, as an added event, a mule sale has been added to the Friday evening program. Originally a ranch sale for racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, the sale now leans towards working ranch, youth and performance horses with flashy Paints being among the top sellers. "We want to have horses of all types," said Snook. "Not everyone can buy a $3,000 horse so we have some at the $1,200 level."
Activities for this year's sale will start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14, with a gymkhana featuring added money events and a break-away roping followed by a jackpot roping. The mule sale will begin at 7:00 p.m. with about 25 saddle, pack and harness mules including some brought up from Kentucky. According to Snook, "These are top quality mules and we have a good spread in ages, sizes, experience and colors." The mules will be available at noon on Friday for inspection.
The sale day kicks-off at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday with a Sale Performance show in the outdoor arena where folks can view the horses in action while an announcer describes its breeding, training and accomplishments. A social hour will start at noon with the sale beginning at 1:00 p.m. During the sale, there will be a 4-H stallion auction which currently has eight Quarter Horse and Paint stallions signed up. Throughout the day, folks can stroll through a variety of commercial vendor booths and exhibits by local artists and enjoy lunch prepared by members of the local youth groups. A real foot stompin' dance will be held following the sale.
On Sunday, starting at 10:00 a.m., the Salmon River Roping Club will host their annual Memorial Scholarship Team Roping which will be held under the United States Team Roping Championships rating system. Last year there were 364 teams competing. Following that event, the Salmon Select Roping will be held with added money sponsored by the Salmon Select Sale.
Last year's event attracted thousands of spectators and 300 horseman from several states and Canada signed up to bid on 152 horses. This year's event is expected to top that.
For more sale information contact Fred Snook, Jr., at (208) 756-2125. For roping information call Linda Harkrader at (208) 756-4523.
