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BRIAN FULTON FAMILY BENEFIT AUCTION

February 3, 2007 – Howard Johnson Express

Rapid City, South Dakota

Story & Photography by: Larry Larson

Rapid City, SD – Highly respected not only by his own family but his extended ‘Rodeo Family’ as well, Valentine, Nebraska horseman Brian Fulton has shown a lifetime of giving and true generosity throughout his career since hitting the performance arena at a young age. Medical challenges surfaced last fall for Brian – putting his young family in a situation that drew even deeper bonds between them and the people that care so deeply for this extraordinary man and his family.

That large extended group of family and friends joined forces from across the nation to finally return that favor to one of it’s own. Organization began months earlier on an event that would financially assist Brian and Lisa Fulton’s family that includes their three young sons - Jake, Jared and John Lloyd. Diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in September, Brian has undergone two separate surgeries at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha and he is currently on a second round of chemotherapy. Nothing will hold this guy down - he is already back in the arena training a newly acquired stallion, CS Flashlight, in tie-down roping. This powerful young prospect is a 14.3 hand gray son of Royal Quick Dash with a speed index of 106!

Spearheaded by close friends Birch Negaard, a 10-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Steer Wrestler, and his wife Louise from Sundance, WY and Chad and Faye Pelster, Belle Fourche, SD, word spread fast of a ‘Brian Fulton Family Benefit Auction’ and donations began to roll in from all corners of the country. Everyone involved donated their time and services to the benefit including auctioneers Justin Tupper, Dan Piroutek and Kevin McPherson with many of Brian’s fellow rodeo competitors jumping in as ring men for the fast moving auction. It was held at the Howard Johnson Express, close to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center where the 2007 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo was in progress. The meeting room labeled ‘Max Occupancy 169’ was definitely not meeting fire code on February 3^rd! The bar was busy (if you could actually get up to it) and you had better drink it down a couple inches because it was shoulder to shoulder throughout the entire auction.

Silent auction items were organized and put on display early in the afternoon with sections closing throughout the live auction that started at 4:00 pm. Included in the generous donations were stallion service fees, horses, straws of bull semen, feed, puppies, jewelry, hunting parties, clinic tuitions, bronzes, saddle racks, bits, hotel suites, original paintings and prints, buckles, spurs, felt hats, rifles, roping calves and even feeder pigs. Auction highlights included more personal item such as NFR saddles, jackets and rings donated by many of the PRCA ‘Who’s Who’ list with many personally in attendance. Organizer Faye Pelster added, “We think we’ve raised right at $110,000 for Brian, Lisa and the boys,” which is a true testament to the respect shown toward a true friend in his time of need.

Backed by about 30 cowboys, Colorado calf ropers Cory Zion and Charlie Kingsbury gathered enough cash to have the winning bid on the auction highlight – the 1993 National Finals Rodeo Average Saddle in tie-down roping. Donated by Troy Pruitt, Minatare, NE, the keepsake brought an astonishing bid of $10,500. In true rodeo fashion, the group had decided early on to donate the saddle back to Pruitt following the bidding with all the proceeds going into the Fulton fund.

Other highlights included a stallion service fee for the Fulton Ranch stallion A Streak Of Fling – a AAA red roan son of Streakin Six. Donated by the group effort of Jim & Susan Wakefield, O’Neill, NE, Todd & Bobbie Graff, Ainsworth, NE, Grady & Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD, Joel & Connie Bruns, Wakefield, NE, and the Arch, Jimmy & Mike Ferguson families from Wood Lake, NE, the fee brought a final bid of $3,500 from Todd Cowan, Highmore, SD. Purchased by Wade Bail, 2 straws of bucking bull semen donated by David Fornier brought a bid of $3,100 after active bidding.

Saddles remained hot items throughout the auction – Ross McPherson & Friends grouped together to buy the 1989 Houston AA Saddle donated by John W. Jones and Family for $4,000. Other popular items included the 1994 NFR Barrel Racing Average Saddle donated by Chuck and Kristie Peterson that brought $3,700 from Loiseau Construction and a Duvall Jackpot Saddle donated by Todd & Wendy Suhn brought $2,100 from Justin Suhn. One of the more novel auction items was a football signed by Tommy Frazier that was donated and repurchased by Justin Suhn for $4,000. A signed copy of the autobiography by multiple PRCA All-Around Champion and ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee Ty Murray was also offered at the auction - Paul Fulton had the winning bid at $600.

Birch Negaard summarized the auction effort by stating, “We were honored to be part of such an incredible auction - it was nice to give back to Brian and his family. They have given so much to all of us over the years.” Chad and Faye Pelster added, “We are so grateful to everyone who helped with the auction. We appreciate those who donated items, those who purchased items and those who worked so hard on auction day to make it a success. Brian and Lisa have done so much for so many people and the turnout was evidence of how many lives they’ve touched.”

Visibly touched by the thoughtfulness of their family and multitude of close friends, Brian and Lisa offered their sentiments by saying, “We feel very fortunate to have such a large, caring circle of friends and family that was evidenced by this auction. The overwhelming number of friends that donated such personal items is very humbling! We are sure we won’t get everyone thanked because we truly won’t know all who helped in some way. But, we are thankful for all our friends for their help and support – we will be forever grateful! We want to extend a special THANK YOU to Chad & Faye Pelster and Birch & Louise Negaaad for all the work you put into organizing this heartwarming benefit for our family!”

Lisa also shared these comments with me following the auction and it basically summed up the depth of her graditude. “Saturday’s showing of all our friends and family as a tribute to Brian was overwhelming. I tear up thinking of that day and probably will forever. I guarantee you, I thank the Lord every morning for my family and my husband!”