Competitors from 10 states and two provinces gathered at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, Montana, for the annual Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity.
Along with family and friends, 10 Canadian competitors made the journey to Kalispell to compete in this year’s (2006) futurity that, according to committee members Karen Vietor and Lisa Anderson, experienced exponential growth with 48 futurity horses and 46 derby horses this year.
Saskatchewan trainers Dale Clearwater of Hanley, and Clint Christianson of Bracken, set the benchmark for the Canadian contingent with solid performances in the futurity, derby, and horse show classes.
Clearwater rode Another Smart Kid, owned by KMB enterprises, to the futurity finals. From the herd, Dale impressed judge Bill Enk with a 72 and a tie for second place, but the lead-change challenges in the reined work dropped Another Smart Kid just off the leader board as they entered the final leg of the futurity finals.
As always, the Clearwater camp came to win and Dale posted a crowd-pleasing 75 fence run for a seventh place finish overall.
Clint Christianson brought Smart Micro Chip, owned by Bob and Deb Clary of Shelby, Montana, to the winners’ circle in the 10,000 Hackamore and posted a crowd-roaring 75 to win the class of 21 entries.
At each turn, both Clint and Dale dominated the fence runs in their respective divisions, racking up multiple 75 scores down the fence on a stable of horses brought to this year’s Montana Futurity.
No less than seven other awards were handed out to Canadians including the 5000 Amateur Derby Champion Heather Baumgardner aboard Spot Chex Olena marking an impressive 73 down the fence to edge out fellow Canadian Peter Doig on Genuine Whiz Kid who earned the reserve championship.
Non-Pro Bridle Champion Terri Holowath and Pickachiclet edged out husband Bart on Precision Dee who earned the reserve championship.
Meanwhile, Colleen Sawatsky and Sonita’s Last Boon conquered the 500 Limited class with solid scores in the herd, rein, and fence disciplines.
Gunsmokes Glory, purchased by Diane Fraser in Colorado earlier this year, proved to be an excellent purchase as Fraser earned the champion buckle in the 5000 Novice Non-Pro Bridle and, once again, Bart Holowath racked up the reserve championship on Precision Dee.
Our hats go off to our hosts in Montana, Lisa and Ordean Anderson, who were so accommodating. From the moment we arrived, the Ordeans made sure that we were looked after and that we found our way.
In fact, the entire MRCHA committee should be commended on a great show that proved out the growth in the cow horse discipline.
Finally, great thanks to good friends and ARCHA members Deb and Bob Clary and Billy Campbell, who made us all feel right at home in their great state of Montana. In true ARCHA style, Bob Clary won the Stallion Stakes champion buckle and long-lost Canadian cousin Billy Campbell earned his place in the futurity finals splitting 4/5 on his stallion Elans Holibar. Tied with Clearwater in the herd work with a 72, Billy stepped up his game with a 73.5 in the reined work and a strong 72 down the fence.
Zane Davis rode He Be Bierce, owned by John Semanik, to earn the futurity title with a 220.5 and solid performances in the go round and finals. Zane proved to be an admirable foe for open futurity competitors with horses placing first, second, and third to dominate the open finals.
