There are few things as satisfying as a ride on a trusty horse through the wilderness of northwest Montana.
A few weeks ago, trail riders from several states and Canada competed in endurance riding in southern Lincoln County.
The Big Sky Memorial Ride took place on Saturday, August 10th in the Jackson Creek area north of Libby.
The sport began half a century ago in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, when a man riding an Arabian horse challenged his friends to a 100-mile race up and over the mountain range.
But these rides are about endurance, not racing to the finish line.
The first event in the Sierras became an annual tradition, said Sue McLain, a member of the Equine Distance Riding Association. McLain is from Washington and has been riding distance for about 40 years.
Bonnie Girod and Shayne Russell hosted the ride locally. The association sponsored the ride in its first year, 2022.
“This is the third year we’ve done a drive here in northwest Montana,” Girod said. The idea for the memorial drive came from our parents. They thought we should have a drive here.
“Russell’s husband Ryder hired my husband Cornelius to build a barn and they discovered their common interests,” Girod said. “Shayne’s father and my mother passed away a few years ago and we decided to do the ride in their honor.”
The area just above Jackson Creek Road offers the right combination of private property where horse trailers can be parked, as well as a large barn, campground, and Kootenai National Forest and Stimson Lumber Company land where the hiking trails are located.
“To do a trail ride, you need a lot of space for horses and riders and you need good access to the trail, so we’re glad we have access to Shayne’s family property,” Girod said. “We’re very fortunate to be working with the Forest Service, Stimson and Chris Noble’s company to provide us with the water we need for the horses.”
What sets endurance riding apart from other equestrian sports such as horse racing is the way the animals are treated. Large animal veterinarians perform regular examinations of each horse before, during and after the rides to ensure the animal’s health.
“The whole focus is really on the horse and its well-being,” Russell said. “They are examined to make sure they are not colic, lame or have wounds from falls.”
The veterinarians who worked on the Big Sky Memorial Ride were Dr. Sonni Gilbert, who practices in Heron, and Dr. Laura Johnston, who practices in Kalispell at LaSalle Equine Clinic and Livestock Services.
The group also ensures that young riders are welcome, with fundraisers being held to cover costs so that riders under 18 can ride for free.
“Children must be accompanied by an adult, but even if their parents are not riders, we can usually find a rider to accompany them. Our goal is to make it work,” Russell said.
However, older horses are preferred for this type of ride. The horse must be at least 5 years old and for rides of 50 miles or more, the animal must be at least 7 years old.
The rides consisted of three loops. The 12 1/2 mile ride had an elevation gain of nearly 1,600 feet. The 24.5 mile ride had an elevation gain of 2,615 feet. There were also 50 and 75 mile rides. There was also an introductory ride and a 50 mile relay race. All horse breeds are welcome and each rider must wear a helmet.
“It’s a tough competition and you see a beautiful country,” said Russell. “There are also lifetime achievement awards for the riders and horses.”
Nearly three dozen riders and their horses took part in the local event.
Girod said Montana still has one more endurance ride ahead of him.
“There were no specimens seen in Ashland, but one was seen this summer in the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area north of Helena,” Girod said.
For more information about the Big Sky Memorial Ride, visit the Facebook page.
Big Sky Memorial Ride co-organizer Shayne Russell (left) talks with volunteer Veronica Lee at the Big Sky Memorial Ride on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Christina Buehner of Kalispell and Sue McLain of Washington care for a horse during the Big Sky Memorial Ride on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Rachel Gobbels of Canada and Patrova rode the 75-mile race at the Big Sky Memorial Ride on Saturday, August 10, 2024. They finished the race in 14 hours and 17 minutes. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
