DECEMBER 1995 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 12/1/95; 10:00:00 AM.

The Montana Appaloosa Horse Club

The Montana Appaloosa Horse Club is a regional affiliate of the Appaloosa Horse Club, headquartered in Moscow, Idaho. The Montana Appaloosa Horse Club was organized in the early 1950's and is one of the oldest Regional clubs with continued existence.

The Montana Club (MApHC) covers the entire state of Montana and is probably one of the largest geographic regional Appaloosa clubs in the nation. In addition to members from throughout Montana, Appaloosa owners in Northern Wyoming and Eastern Idaho traditionally belong.

Because there are lots of miles between members, the MApHC has only one annual membership meeting, usually in October. However, the Directors meet regularly to conduct the Club's business.

A major project of the Montana Appaloosa Horse Club is producing the annual Montana Appaloosa Show. In the early years, the show was rotated around the state. More recently, it has been either in Bozeman or Helena. The 41st Annual Show will be in Bozeman on July 6-7, 1996.

To many people, their Appaloosas are their recreation. They use their Appaloosas in the show ring, as 4-H projects, and just plain recreational riding. Some use Appaloosas for their routine ranch work. And others are into serious competitive activities such as barrel racing, roping, O-Mok-See, and even horse racing.

However, a large number of people do stand stallions, breeding their own mares and also outside mares. The success of marketing these quality foals nationwide is tremendous.

There are currently two smaller local Appaloosa clubs that function within the Montana Appaloosa Horse Club. The members of the Vigilante Appaloosa club are mostly from the Helena Valley, while the Mountain Country Appaloosa Club covers southwestern Montana. Members of these two clubs actively promote Appaloosas in their communities. They participate in parades, assist the 4-H horse program, and support their local Horse Fairs. They are quite involved in trail riding and other social activities. The work force for the Annual Montana Appaloosa Show comes from members of these two clubs.

The Vigilante Appaloosa Clubs meets the second Tuesday of each month in Helena. Contact Jerry Bratlien, 406/458-6008 for information. The Mountain Country Appaloosa Club meets the third Tuesday of the month in Belgrade, contact Edgar Icenoggle, 406/388-1903.

In addition to the Montana Appaloosa Horse Club, the Western Montana Appaloosa Club is also a chartered regional club. The Western Montana club primarily encompasses the Bitterroot Valley and the Missoula area. Members of the Western Montana club are active in trail riding, promoting Appaloosas, social activities, community service projects and producing open horse shows. The club meets the first Saturday of each month in Stevensville. Contact Larry Frost, 406/777-3936.

Please contact any of the clubs above if you are interested in receiving more information on their activities.