Auctioneers’ Skills Challenged Competition seeks to see if Auctioneers can walk as well as talk, and show as well as sell

A special competition has been initiated as part of the National Spring Spectacular Show (NSSS), taking part at the 2015 NBA Beef Expo being held at York Auction Centre - The Auctioneers’ Handler Challenge.
This competition is designed to test Britain’s top Auctioneers’ ability to present the stock they sell. The contest will give Auctioneers’ the chance to excel at handling the animals they would normally sell under the hammer.
The Auctioneers’ Handler Challenge will be held at the end of the NSSS classes at NBA Beef Expo which is taking place on Thursday 21st May at York Auction Centre.

The only criteria required to take part in this challenge is that the entrant must be working for an auction company in an auctioneering capacity. Entrants must arrange to borrow an animal already entered by an exhibitor in the earlier classes - they don't have to enter an animal of their own - they just turn up with a white coat.

Although intended to be one of the more light hearted classes the competition does have a serious purpose – to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, as well as to see if the men with the gavel can show their stock.
Julie Sedgewick, organiser of the NSSS, gives some further background: “The aim of this challenge is to add an extra dimension to the Auctioneer’s skills, and to see if they can show an animal that they would normally sell in a sale ring. The competition is open to Auctioneers from across the UK; we hope that it will be a light-hearted conclusion to the National Spring Spectacular Show. ”

The entry fee is £10 + vat, with all monies being donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Any prize money won in the class will be given to the exhibitor who loaned the animal to the Auctioneer
Julie adds: “This is meant to be a light hearted competition, and already I have Auctioneers’ knocking on my door to enter. However we are keen to hear from as many industry professionals as possible who would like to take up this challenge and, at the same time help to raise some money for an important cause.”

On hearing of the competition Mr Christopher W Dodds, FLAA Executive Secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers Association Limited, said:
“This is an it is an interesting concept, and as we know Livestock Auctioneers are used to selling livestock so I am looking forward to them putting their best foot forward to demonstrate their showing skills.”

The Closing date for entries, which is strictly limited, is 13th April 2015. For further details, visit www.beefexpo.co.uk or contact Julie Sedgewick, NBA National Spring Spectacular 2015 Co-ordinator on 01325 314650 or e-mail [email protected].