Ramona Hulick (Redmond) is a rapid-fire auctioneer who grew up on a ranch west of Fresno, California making regular trips to the cattle auction with her dad. After moving to Central Oregon, she developed her skills in this male-dominated field, and is now lead auctioneer at the largest and oldest Western auction in the world, selling an item a minute for six to seven hours at a stretch.
Bio
Inside the Deschutes County Fairgrounds show barn, Ramona Hulick begins her rapid-fire auctioneer’s chant. As the excitement builds, bids start flowing. Welcome to “the largest and oldest Western auction in the world,” Hulick’s annual sales event, 35 years in the running. For the next six to seven hours she’ll be on her feet selling an item a minute. “It’s like running a marathon,” she remarked. “You don’t start out doing it. You learn how to do it and then train for it.” Small in stature, Hulick looms large as a keeper of tradition. “[Western] tradition,” she explained, “it’s just really important to me because I grew up in an area where there were a lot of traditional ranchers and cowboys.” Regular trips to the cattle auction with her dad were just part of growing up on a ranch west of Fresno, California. Over time, Hulick came to know most of the auctioneers and brand inspectors. After marrying and moving to Central Oregon, Hulick’s life took a turn. “You know, it [auctioneering] just kind of evolved,” she recounted. “It’s a calling, really. I mean everybody has a call in their life and a talent.” Hulick describes her career path as “swimming upstream” in this male-dominated field, but her persistence paid off. Those within the cowboy culture have held to very traditional values; being straightforward and upright was foremost. “Their word was their bond, and their handshake was good enough,” Hulick explained. It’s the one reason she is drawn to the Western gear she sells. In her mind they are not just “things”; they represent a lifestyle.
