Chance Martin sells cattle three times a week but he also finds time to enter auctioneers’ competitions across North America.
“I’ve sold more cattle at contests than some people have sold in their life,” said this year’s international champion at the stampede.
He has been to the world auctioneers’ competition six times, the Canadian championships 11 times and numerous times at the Calgary Stampede’s international contest. He was always just a breath away from winning.
“It’s a relief to be recognized,” he said after the event, which awarded him $5,500 in cash, custom designed silver belt buckles, a jacket and a hat pin.
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He said the competition has become tougher over the years as auctioneers get better.
Strong friendships have developed among those in the competition circuit to the point where congratulations to the winner are sincere.
“I looked down the Top 10 and saw all my buddies,” he said.
It will be business as usual when Martin returns to work at Vold Jones and Vold in Ponoka. Besides live sales, he also works the Canadian Satellite Auction.
He and his wife Trina have four children between the ages of 14 and nine months. They also have a cow-calf and yearling operation near Pine Lake, Alta.
This year’s 22 contestants were from Canada, the United States and Australia, but eight of the Top 10 were Canadian, compared to other years when Americans dominated. Martin was the first Canadian to win since 1999, when Dan Skeels, also of VJV Auction, was named champion.
This year’s runner up was Dean Edge of Rimbey, Alta., who sells at Vold Jones and Vold. He received $1,000 cash and other prizes.
