Big Sky Country
Experience the frontier spirit of Montana with our 14 exclusive adventures.
A Special Insert Brought to you by Horsemanship • Culture • Style
Genuine West
14 must-do western adventures in Montana. By Ingrid Schulz Where else we ask, is the frontier spirit as alive as in Montana? With its rich territorial history, flora and fauna, rivers and geographic expanse (it’s the fourth largest state in the USA), it remains arguably, the biggest, baddest and boldest western experience of all. Here, we delve into the land and people and offer you a dozen plus two, unique, awe-inspiring (and perhaps, a couple in the category of curious) Montana experiences.
Champion Horsemanship, Paws Up Resort, Greenough
Take your horsemanship up a notch with instruction from Barbara Schulte, a veteran professional trainer and member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. With Schulte’s advice, this workshop will help you focus on control as you wind through obstacle courses along scenic trails and practice your aim on horseback in mounted shooting (using water pistols, of course). This intimate session focuses on mastering new techniques and provides riders with inspiration to overcome challenges they might have encountered in the past. Running July 18-22, the event also features a “Cowgirl at Dusk” photography workshop with Barbara Van Cleve and a cattle drive with Schulte. Sharpen your skills and learn to shoot while enjoying the tranquility of a luxury escape. www.pawsup.com
Billings Horse Sale, Billings From rodeo, to roping, to day-working, to horse shows, and barrel racing to cutting, Bill and Jann Parker, purveyors of the Billings Livestock Commission have been there, riding, competing and trading up their horses since they were little cowpokes. In the largest city of Montana, they have produced barrel races, team roping jackpots, rodeos and cuttings. Jann confirms our suspicion – they are all about the people: “It is the ‘special’ of all of the people you meet, through all the years of competition, event production, long nights of truck rides and airplane rides, practice sessions, clinics, and lessons, that make this horse sale special. Those people are our friends, competitors, acquaintances – and our customers. They bring you their horses when it’s time to sell and they buy horses when it’s time to buy.” Bill and Jann welcome you to their next sale. Consider a visit for the May Cow Country Classic – featuring their annual Best of the Remuda Ranch Horse Competition and kid’s horses and ponies.
billingslivestock.com
Copper Spring Ranch, Bozeman Based in the northern Rocky Mountains of Gallatin County, Montana, Copper Spring Ranch, owned by the Gilhousen family takes pride in the history and depth of the state’s western heritage and lifestyle. They breed and raise Quarter Horses – both classic and speed lines – run barrel races, rodeos, horse sales, clinics and youth rodeo bible camps. We love anyone who strives to develop the next generation of West. They welcome visitors to the truly spectacular ranch, check the calendar on their website for upcoming events. copperspringranch.com
Little Bighorn Battlefield, Garryowen Experience the defining moments of Custer’s Last Stand – right where it happened on the banks of the Little Bighorn River, when Lieutenant Colonel Custer and his U.S. Army troops were defeated in battle by the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne, June 25, 1876. Each year, the Lakota commemorate their victory over the United States army in what is considered one of the most detailed productions of its kind in North America – of course without the gruesome true finality of the first annual. Little Big Horn Days run June 24-26. www.littlebighornreenactment.com
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western lifestyle magazine again! The Museum of the Plains Indian, Browning In the middle of the Blackfeet Nation, one of the greatest of the plains tribes, Browning is worth a stop for at least two reasons, including to pay homage to the late Bob Scriver, a Canadian-born western bronze artist who once made his home there. (Incidentally, the Scriver family’s collection of Blackfeet artifacts, which included a gun collection and historic RCMP uniforms, were sold to the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton after his death. The insurance valuation of the collections, a million dollars, was leaked to Blackfeet activists and caused a national uproar, because ceremonial bundles were included. Later, then Premier Klein of Alberta returned those sacred objects to Canadian Blackfeet). A visit to the Museum of the Plains Indian will reveal beautiful artifacts: dress, shields, sacred items, and stories that will help expand your understanding of North American history. On your way in, or exiting this town, take time for a killer latte at Big Lodge Espresso. Yes, it’s a giant concrete teepee coffee shop. www.blackfeetcountry.com
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Bear Gulch Pictographs, Lewiston Beargulch is an incredibly well-preserved pictograph and petroglyph site located in the heart of Big Sky Country, just 27 miles from the charming town of Lewistown (a West destination all of its own). Take a one and a half mile guided tour into the past, and view thousands of prehistoric pictographs and petroglyphs on the canyon walls in a narrow pristine valley on the Lundin private ranch. Camping, barbecues and private dinner parties are a few of the options. www.beargulch.net
Charlie Russell Museum, Great Falls Ah, the Russell. A tactile homage to possibly the most romantic figures of our western culture. And, one who has captured our collective admiration for well over a hundred years – after all is there anyone you know, who doesn’t love Charles Marion Russell? Although he was born in St. Louis, Missouri, Russell called Montana home for most of his life, and in Great Falls is a museum with a mission of preserving, researching, interpreting, and educating modern generations on the art and life of the artist; and the art and lives of his contemporary western artists, essentially the work of his disciples from across the continent over the past century. The Russell, a three day western art overload is held each year mid-March, and typically features one or more original Russells in it’s auction. www.cmrussell.org
Offering the largest selection of quality used Saddles, Tack and Western Wear in the State. You’ll also find Rodeo Pageantry and Show Clothes, Chaps, Boots, Sterling Jewelry, anything Carhartt, Dusters and the like…
www.crazyhorseconsignment.com 406-273-4226 6555 Highway 12 West Lolo, MT 59847
The Crazy Mountain Inn, Meagher County A day of world class fishing, hiking, horseback riding, ghost town exploration and just plain taking in the vista of some of the most breathtaking country in the world can be finished off in rustic style at the Crazy Mountain Inn. Nestled in a small town teeming with history, the charming inn with authentic turn-of-the-century detailing is perfect for outside adventurers looking for a an interesting overnight. crazymountaininn.com
Crazy Horse Western Consignment Store, Lolo About 12 miles south of Missoula, where Lewis and Clark camped over 200 years ago, mother and daughter team, Bonnie and Johanna run the largest western consignment store in Montana. Chock full of saddles, tack, boots and western clothing, it’s easily an afternoon of shopping if you’re in the mood. And if you’re hankering to complete your pageant look, they boast a large collection of Rodeo Queen attire and accessories. crazyhorseconsignment.com
Glamping in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Montana as it should be viewed – under the stars at night, and waking up to the spectacular sights, sounds and smells of nature just outside the canvas of your glampy safari-style tent. Just 10 minutes from Yellowstone National Park entrance, this luxury “camp” boasts fantastic views, a quiet secluded location, an onsite restaurant, a host of activities and of course, Yellowstone right on your doorstep. This isn’t camping as we know it, but we think we can get used to it. www.mtundercanvas.com
Bucking Horse Sale, Miles City There are rodeos and then there are rodeos. The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale in eastern Montana is a bit of a beloved anomaly for rodeo folks, not to mention the social highlight of the year for its community of 8,600 or so residents. So much so, it boasts (though it’s questionable the local Chamber of Commerce would see it so,) its own true disclosures Facebook page – Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Confessions. If you’re up for getting drunk, falling in love, and fighting a feller, amid one of the top bucking horse sales in the country, take a run down for the 66th annual, May 19-22, but remember, what happens in Miles City... www.buckinghorsesale.com
SHOW & SELL Fly Fishing, Cooke City Blend your love of horses, fly-fishing and the great outdoors at the Skyline Guest Ranch. Experienced guides and fishermen will take you into Yellowstone Park to fish rivers amidst scenery that will likely leave you awe-struck. Prepare to ride through herds of buffalo and above the magnificent canyons on the way in. www.flyfishyellowstone.com
The Dip N Sip Lounge, Great Falls Ah, what piece about the wonders of the great state of Montana would be complete without a mention of the Dip N Sip lounge, where real live mermaids, yes, real mermaids, swim in a glass enclosed tank behind the bar. Trade in your cowboy boots and get your Polynesian on for a night in the tiki-themed piano bar, with gigantic green drinks and an 85-year-old lounge singer named Pat, who’s been compared to William Shatner. Yes, you read all that correctly. ohairemotorinn.com
July 25 March 26 August 22 April 22-23-24 September 25-27 May 28 October 24 June 25 July 23 28 November
HORSES GALORE! Avila’s Pro Shop, Pablo Just a little over an hour south of Kalispell is the quaint hamlet of Pablo, and there you can find one of the most soughtout equipment stores of professional horseman. Owned and operated by Joel and Lynn Gleason, all the trappings inside Avila’s Pro Shop are guaranteed to be the best quality found anywhere in the world. Be it romal reins, bits, spurs or stirrups, everything at the Pro Shop boasts superior craftsmanship and quality material. For serious horse folk, this place is a vacation all its own. avilaproshop.com
Bill and Jann Parker Horse Sale Managers 406-245-4151 Bill cell 406-670-0773 Jann cell 406-855-1947 www.billingslivestock.com
Copper Spring CLaSSiC
A Christian Fund Raiser for Families of Western Heritage June 3, 4 & 5 2016 at CSR in Bozeman, Montana
$16,700 ADDED BARREL RACING EVENT WPRA, NWBRA, BRN4D and BBR APPROVED. FUTURE FORTUNES, UBRC, MYERS RANCH 2D FUTURITY & 3D YOUTH SIDEPOTS.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MOVE IN noon EXHIBITIONS 2:30–5:30pm $5 WARM-UP RACE 6pm $25/entry. Enter on site.
EXHIBITIONS 8am–noon $5
EXHIBITIONS 7–9:15am $5
CHURCH SERVICE noon–1pm
PEE WEE (6 and under) 9:30am
$1000 Added 4D CHURCH RACE
$5000 Added Open 5D
CORPORATE SPONSORS Armitage Electric • Ariat International Security Solutions, Inc. • Harrington Bottling Western Legacy Sales • UBRC • Rodeo Rigs Ingram Quarter Horses • Buffalo Bump Pizza Rocky Mountain Supply • Danhof Chevrolet Old Colony Insurance • Plains-Horizon Insurance Big Sky Shavings • Western Pines Landscaping Nutrena Feeds • Churchill Equipment Ray Equine Services • Stockman Bank Black Box Design • Flair Equine Nasal Strips Vista Equine Colorado • Williams Plumbing Murdoch’s Ranch & Home • Brendas Cleaning Lafleur Equine • Ressler Motors • Dally O Robicheaux Ranch • Miles City Livestock
RV Hookups $25/night Stalls $20/night (120 covered stalls available) Buy Shavings on Site $8/bag (1 bag required) text 406/579-1540 to reserve
2pm $36/entry 100% payback. Must attend church service to enter. EXHIBITIONS for 1 hour after race
2D FUTURITY SIDEPOT
$500 Added by Myers Performance
Horses. Must enter both Church Race and Open 5D. Pays on average $50 per day / $100 total entry. FREE CLINIC presented by Dr. Chris Ray, DVM, MS, DACVS. Immediately after exhibitions, plus a barbeque at the arena.
(1st 100 riders) 10am $56/entry. $10 late fee after 5/23 postmark.
CHURCH SERVICE 12–1pm RESUME OPEN 5D RACE 1:30pm (start with rider 101)
$10,000 FUTURE FORTUNES BONUS MONEY TO OPEN 5D UBRC SIDEPOT $35/entry
$200 added 3D YOUTH SIDEPOT (17 & under) $21/entry. Full second splits. $10 late fee after 5/23 postmark. P
FoR ScHEdulE, EntRy FoRmS and dRaw go to: copperSpringRanch.com or pistolsandcrystals.net For more information 406/579-1540 or 406/585-7008 or lisaa@copperspringranch.com Host Hotel: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Belgrade Reservations 800/315-2621 or Front desk 406/388-7100
RE EntR PoSt IES ma may RK 23 2016 ,