Noxon saddle club hosts playday

The newly formed Rocky Ridge Saddle Club held its first omoksee event last Saturday in Noxon.

“There was a pre-existing club so we just started it up again,” Natalie Erwin said. The arena with an announcer’s stand was already in place.

“We have campers who showed up the night before,” Erwin said. Several people from Libby camped overnight along with riders from Eureka and Kalispell. They made up seven of the 31 participants in Saturday’s games.

“It has been a fun day,” Joe Brooks from Libby said. He and his wife Tricia rode in the games in the 40 and over division. Others from Libby included Judith Hemphill, Michelle Freese and Chandra Zechmeister.

The surprise of the day was 6-year-old Selah Troyer from Heron who rode her paint mare bareback without a headstall and bit. Instead, she used a hackamore. Selah ended the day riding the barrel racing event barefoot.

“Her horse was injured before we bought her. She doesn't like having adults on her back, but is great with the kids,” said Nelson Troyer, Selah’s dad. He and his wife Sara brought their five children to participate. Nelson rode his mule and Sara rode her horse in the sixteen to thirty nine group. Colton was in the twelve to fifteen, and Courage and Tyrell rode in the nine to eleven age group.

This Omoksee consisted of five timed events. The day started by 9:30 a.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m. One person ran at a time, but Erwin said they have the room and capability to run two lanes if they choose. “We might do that in next year’s games, but decided not to this time.”

O-Mok-See is a sport that originated with the Blackfeet Native American Tribe. It means “games on horseback.” The games are related to the gymkhana, which dates back to early European and Asian horse cultures. They were among the first to establish timed events with extra obstacles for competition and horsemanship. The Native Americans created their own games that include picking up an extra rider, dragging a body behind their horse on a hide, or tarp, and many retrieving events such as picking up items from barrels and placing in another barrel while riding at top speed, as well as jumping events, according to the National Saddle Club Association/Omoksee website.

Saturday’s games included pole bending, figure eight, key hole, speed barrels, and regular barrels. All age groups rode but the youngest group, age 8 and younger, allows a child to be led on their horse. There were two leadline riders.

Ribbons and awards were given to those who were fastest in their divisions without any disqualifications. If the pattern isn’t run accurately or a pole is knocked over it is a DQ, according to President Nicole Reeves.

The land around the arena has a smaller area for working your horse and plenty of parking. It is secluded from traffic and noise. There are trees for shade and an outhouse facility. Portable pens are permitted but none are available on site. Dry camping only is available with no electricity available.

The next event is a makeup Omoksee scheduled for Saturday, September 30, at 9 a.m. “We had one planned for August but decided to postpone due to the fire,” Ewin said. There is another date set for October 14th. It will be the Fuzzy Trail Course Challenge. It will be held at the arena and start at 9:am.

Club officers are Natalie Erwin, secretary, Nicole Reeves, president, Kim Wilson, vice president, and Jennifer Thrash, treasurer.

Early registration and information can be found on the saddle club Facebook. Or email [email protected] or call Erwin at (406) 529-6917.