Jason Hershberger Interview - Feb 2021

Q- The production of your annual auction during Sun Circuit is a go.

A- Yes, the 16th Annual Hershberger Performance Horse Sale Feb. 26th, starts with a preview at 9:00 and Sale at 1:00. There will be a Jackpot Preview at 2 on Thursday, Feb. 25th. This is a good time to see many of the sale horses in the jackpot setting.

Q- How has it worked out producing your sale during the Sun Circuit event?

A- Holding the sale with the AZ Sun Circuit has been a great opportunity. The sale is the day before the American Rope Horse Futurity in the same facility. Many of our consignors bring horses for not only the sale, but the horse show and/or the futurity.

Q- You put on a first-class sale in the Equidome at WestWorld with large screen monitors of the sale horses, plenty of seating, and a good size crowd of interested bidders. • How many horses do you expect in the sale this year? We have 105 horses consigned to this year’s sale.

A- The sale attracts buyers from all over the country. Our buyers do come from many of the states, as well as Canada. We are pleased to have repeat buyers that have purchased horses thru our sale for various performance disciplines.

Q- What are these perspective buyers looking for in horses?

A- Perspective buyers are looking for quality. Sixteen years ago when I had this vision, winter visitors were coming to AZ and were always looking for good rope horses. I called my friends that have good horses and invited them to consign horses. I had noticed that there was a need for a high-quality performance horse sale in Arizona. There are a lot of moving pieces to putting on a high-quality sale, and a lot of folks are counting on selling those horses.

Q- How do you manage the pressure of the responsibility of meeting those needs and expectations?

A- We have the best crew in the horse sale business. Our office staff are very good with customers from consignors to the buyers. I have peace of mind knowing that they have all of that part of the sale under control. I would like to think that I am a pretty calm person and can handle the pressure of producing the sale. We have done our homework as far as advertising and getting the buyers in the seats. I think with 1000 plus spectators and prospective buyers we are giving the consignors a fair price for their horse.

Q- Your sons are active in the horse world.

A- Tell us about their accomplishments this year? Wyatt has been dealing with shoulder problems. He worked thru it and placed 4th at the BFI week in the 12 roping. After spending some time in the summer and fall at the ORO Ranch starting two year olds, he had to get shoulder surgery again, Dec 1st. Now his shoulder is doing great and he is back to roping. Garrett has had a really good year roping. He placed well at the Jr BFI in June. He also had a great show at the AQHYA World Show and has had a good year jackpot roping. In December Gavin and Garrett were roping together and won the Jr World Finals Team Roping in Fort Worth. Gavin has had a great year roping. In June he won the Jr BFI Team Roping heading for Denton Dunning. Some pretty nice wins jackpot roping and the win with Garrett in Fort Worth.