Story:With top notch rhythm and chant, excellent voice control and clarity, and professionalism to boot, local auctioneer Ward Cutler was recently named the first ever Canadian Western Agribition Auctioneer Champion, making him a champion of champions.
Competing at Regina's annual agribusiness show in late November, Cutler-of Cutler Livestock Auctions-says he was surprised to be named the winner.
"This is the first time that I've competed since I won [the Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Champion] in 2005, and the field of auctioneers that they had there was unreal."
The event-the Winner's Circle Auctioneering Competition-featured five of Canada's top auctioneering talent and brought together champions from past national-level auctioneering competitions, stated an announcement released by the organization prior to the competition.
Invited to participate by Marty Seymour, General Manager and CEO of Agribition, Cutler joined "a handful of elite guys" for the event's inaugural year. "When I walked into the room and saw the guys who were participatingyes, I was very surprised to be named champion."
Selling Horse Pull teams and donated items, Cutler says that the competition differed from previous competitions and his everyday sales. "At the Canadian competition, you're selling livestock-like I would do on a daily basis. At Agribition, we were still selling livestock, but it was a different atmosphere."
"This has never happened before in the history of Canadian auctioneering. Traditionally, when someone becomes a grand champion in auctioneering, they don't return to defend their title" stated Seymour in announcing the event.
Cutler, who received a belt buckle and plaque for his title, will be returning to the event next year as a judge.
