On a bluebird day, Flathead Valley teens Emily Tuck and Lilly Erickson saddled up their horses Leo and Whiskey for a playday of O-Mok-See before a saddle club awards banquet in Columbia Falls. 

Mounting the horses, 14-year-old Tuck of Columbia Falls and 18-year-old Erickson of Kalispell rode into a field by the Rocky Mountain Riders Saddle Club arena, the bright sun glinting off their sparkly sashes, bejeweled belt buckles and crowns adorning their cowboy hats. 

The hardware comes from their recent crowning at the Montana Saddle Clubs Association competition in late August. Erickson was crowned queen and Tuck, senior princess. The pair earned the titles at the state O-Mok-See games by demonstrating expert horsemanship and sportsmanship in addition to their public speaking skills, attire and community service.   

With the titles, Tuck and Erickson will represent the Montana Saddle Clubs Association at the 2025 national O-Mok-See championship, which will be held in Helena. They will spend the year promoting the association and the O-Mok-See sport at parades and horse events, along with opening and assisting at competitions. 

“Basically we help out in the arena, whether it’s raking, getting the ground really good for the horses, or setting out the different patterns, barrels or poles. We give support to the littler ones if they’re having trouble,” Tuck said. 

Most people might be unfamiliar with O-Mok-See whose origin lies with the Blackfeet tribe. The Blackfeet called the dramatic style of riding, traditionally a prelude to battle, as “oh-mak-see pass-kan,” meaning “riding big dance,” according to the National Saddle Clubs Association.  In the modern day, O-Mok-See became a timed, pattern-racing sport in Western riding.  

“In O-Mok-See there’s lanes and you have to race through different patterns usually involving poles or barrels. Whoever gets the fastest time wins in each age division,” Tuck explained.  

Throughout the summer, they compete in O-Mok-See weekly, which culminates in the state games and then nationals. 

Tuck said she’s been riding since she was 4 and got into O-Mok-See in 2022. 

“I actually started showing horses, doing equitation,” Tuck said, describing it as being “all bling.” 

“You need to show off your horse through different gates,” Tuck said. “You have what you call your rail classes and that’s the equitation, and that’s how well your seat [posture] looks, how you look and how well you connect with your horse. You go on the rail, and they say, walk, trot and lope.” 

Connection with the horse is a major part of horseback riding no matter what the event is.

“They [horses] have really big personalities, but you also put a lot of work into them, and I feel that deepens the bond because I trained my horse to do many things that he couldn’t do,” Tuck said. 

Tuck bought Leo about five years ago and said it took a lot of training to prepare the quarter horse that was raised on a ranch to pivot into shows and competition. The result of her hard work brought a great sense of satisfaction. 

“I started out doing shows and I figured if I want to get more into the saddle club part then I can do O-Mok-See as well. If you do good in O-Mok-Sees then you can go to state, which is where the pageant is held,” she said. 

Although owning a horse came later in life for Erickson, who started riding in 2017, horses are a generational part of her family. Her sister Violet was the 2019 National Saddle Club Association O-Mok-See champion. 

“I grew up as a moto[cross] kid and then my grandpa got horses for hunting and my sister and I kind of just fell in love with them,” she later added. “My grandma still rides and she’s 86.” 

Inspired by her grandparents’ devotion to horses, Whiskey came into her life. Although she had a rough start working with Whiskey, she held on, seeing his potential. 

“I was kind of like I’m gonna ride it out because this horse has a lot of potential for sure, so I never gave up. He definitely gave me a hard time, that’s for sure. He still does to this day,” she said with a smile. 

“It took about four years for us to click together, that’s for sure. But he’s definitely my O-Mok-See horse.” 

While Whiskey may have a fit, Tuck said Leo will “try you.” 

“He always tries to be top of the pack, top of the totem pole, but in reality, he’s kind of just an insecure little boy,” Tuck said with a laugh. 

Erickson added, “Kind of sounds like my horse. He’s a little full of himself.” 

On the Oct. 13 Sunday morning, however, the handsome horses put their best hoof forward, exuding calmness and curiosity while being photographed, and after eating treats, expressed delight.  

“Right now, we have a little playday, basically all O-Mok-See, but we’re just having fun, not really competing,” Tuck said.   

The comradery of saddle clubs is what Tuck and Erickson enjoy along with the opportunities to compete. Erickson, who is a member of the Kalispell Flathead River Riders Saddle Club, said it’s something riders of any age can participate in, noting current members range in age from 2 to 86. Tuck, who belongs to the Rocky Mountain Riders Saddle Club in Columbia Falls, agreed.  

“We’re just one big family,” Erickson said. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.