Big Sky Memorial Ride brings endurance equine event to Lincoln County

There are few things as satisfying as enjoying a trail ride with a trusted horse in the wilds of northwest Montana.

Trail riders from several states and Canada competed in the sport of endurance horse riding in south Lincoln County a few weeks ago.

The Big Sky Memorial Ride was held Saturday, Aug. 10, in the Jackson Creek area north of Libby.

The sport got its start in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains half a century ago when a man with an Arabian horse challenged his friends to go up and over the range in a 100-mile race.

But these rides are about endurance, not racing to the finish line.

The first event in the Sierras became an annual tradition, according to Sue McLain, a member of the Equine Distance Riding Association. McLain is from Washington and has been doing endurance rides for about 40 years.

Locally, Bonnie Girod and Shayne Russell hosted the ride. The association sponsored the ride in its first year, 2022. 

“This is our third year doing a ride here in northwest Montana,” Girod said. The idea for the memorial ride came from our parents. They said we should put a ride on here.

“Russell’s husband, Ryder, hired my husband, Cornelius, to build a barn and they discovered their shared interests,” Girod said. “Shayne’s dad and my mom died a few years ago and we decided to do the ride in their honor.”

The area just a bit up Jackson Creek Road provides the right combination of private land where horse trailers can be parked as well as a large barn, camping space and Kootenai National Forest and Stimson Lumber Company land where the trails are located.

“To do a ride, you need a lot of space for horses and riders and you need good trail access, so we are blessed to be able to have access to the property in Shayne’s family,” Girod said. “We’re very fortunate to have the cooperation of the Forest Service, Stimson and Chris Noble’s company which delivers the water we need for the horses.”

What separates endurance riding from other equine events, such as horse racing, are the treatment of the animals. Large animal veterinarians perform regular checks of each horse before, during and after the rides to ensure the health of the animal.

“The whole focus is really on the horse and its well-being,” Russell said. “They are checked to make sure they aren’t colicky, lame or have wounds from falling.”

The vets who worked the Big Sky Memorial Ride were Dr. Sonni Gilbert, who practices in Heron and Dr. Laura Johnston, who practices in Kalispell with the LaSalle Equine Clinic and Livestock Services.

The group also makes sure young riders are welcome. Fundraisers are held to pay expenses so equestrians under 18 ride for free.

“Kids have to have an adult with them, but even if their parents aren’t riders, we can usually find a rider to go with them. Our goal is to make it work,” Russell said.

But older horses are preferred for these types of rides. A horse has to be at least 5 years old and for rides of 50 miles of more, the animal has to be at least 7.

Rides included three loops. The 12 1/2 mile ride featured an elevation gain of nearly 1,600 feet. The 24.5 miler’s elevation gain was 2,615 feet. There were also rides of 50 and 75 miles. There was also an introductory ride and a 50-mile relay. All equine breeds are welcome and each rider must wear a helmet.

“It’s competitive and you get to see some beautiful country,” Russell said. “There are also lifetime awards for riders and horses.”

Nearly three dozen riders and their horses competed in the local event.

Girod said Montana has one other endurance ride.

“Ashland stopped hosting one, but the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area north of Helena hosted one earlier this summer,” Girod said.

For more information about the Big Sky Memorial Ride, see its Facebook page.

    Big Sky Memorial Ride co-organizer Shayne Russell, left, talks with volunteer Veronica Lee at the Big Sky Memorial Ride Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Christina Buehner of Kalispell and Sue McLain of Washington tend to a horse at the Big Sky Memorial Ride Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Rachel Gobbels of Canada and Patrova rode the 75-mile event at the Big Sky Memorial Ride Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. They finished in 14 hours, 17 minutes. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)