“My Dad hauled me around to cattle auctions when I was a little boy. As a result, when I was 12 – 13 years old, I picked up auctioneering and developed my chant,” recalls Rick Machado a World Champion auctioneer who was born and raised in Arroyo Grande. Rick is currently setting up to host his own horse auction, The Main Event Horse Auction to be held November 2 -3, 2018 at the Paso Robles Event Center. “I called my first auction at 13 and a half years old at the Nipomo Men’s Club. The scheduled auctioneer didn’t show up, so my dad said, ‘Hey, my boy will do it.’” Rick recalls the events of that day and relates that from that point on he knew what he wanted to do. Today he travels the US and calls 75 cattle and horse auctions along with some fundraisers each year.
The Main Event Horse Auction
Horse enthusiasts can catch Rick auctioneering and hosting his own horse auction, The Main Event Horse Auction at the Paso Robles Event Center on Saturday, November 3, 2018 where bidding starts at 4:30 pm. Prospective bidders will be able to view the horses on-line at RMLivestock and will be cataloged October 15, 2018. Horses in the auction will be mostly American Quarter Horses and American Paint Horses. The riding horses will be ranch, roping and family pleasure horses.
Preview Horses Friday Afternoon and All-Day Saturday – Auction Begins at 4:30 Saturday
25 of the RMLivestock yearlings and broodmares will be auctioned along with 40 very select consigned ranch horses from known ranches and trainers. The yearlings and broodmares are either by or carrying offspring from one of Rick’s stallions, One Big Time and Master’s CrackerJack. Live preview will kick-off on Friday, November 2 starting at 3:00 pm with a conformation class followed by team roping.
Live previewing will continue all day on November 3, 2018 where horses will be showing in versatility, cow cutting and calf branding. Owners and trainers will be riding the working ranch horses. There will be a Veterinarian on-site to conduct pre-purchase exams prior to selling.
The auction begins Saturday, November 3 at 4:30. Internet bidding will also take place with a live-feed. Bidders who can’t be there but plan to participate through internet bidding will need to be pre-qualified – see the link on the website regarding pre-qualification.
Product Knowledge Makes a Difference
Rick Machado knows his product. With years of experience in the cattle industry through ranching and auctioneering, Rick knows his horses. He incorporates product knowledge into his chant which makes a big difference. He tells us, “My chant style tends to be rapid and rhythmic. My skills have been honed for clarity and I add comments about the animal to create activity.” Rick then added, “It’s easy because I have done it for so long. I’ve got a lot of miles on me!”
Equestrian World Has Changed Over the Years
“There is a huge demand for well-broke ranch horses these days,” remarked Rick regarding today’s ranch-horse market. “Fewer people are raising ranch horses, yet more people are wanting well-trained ranch horses for showing as well as ranch work. Demand has increased significantly,” Rick explained further.
Although the equestrian world keeps changing, one thing that remains the same is the steadfast care ranchers take of their animals and their land. “Many of these ranches have stayed in the families’ hands. They have a big stake in the ranching industry and are careful stewards of the land,” noted Rick.
What Keeps Rick Machado Calling Auctions?
“I love the excitement of an auction. I love the people as I work with sellers and buyers who are simply the best!” exclaimed Rick when asked what keeps him going. Along with that are the connections he has with sellers he can truly trust. “We are proud of what we do and we work with people who have the upmost of integrity.”
Mark your calendars for November 2-3, 2018. Whether you are in the market for a new ranch horse or simply just interested in learning more about horses, the Rick Machado’s Main Event Horse Auction at the Paso Robles Event Center is shaping up to be an educational, fun and entertaining event.
Photos courtesy of Rick Machado