Montana

Montana Saddle Clubs Association royalty — Teens excel in horsemanship competition

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2024

Montana Saddle Clubs Association royalty — Teens excel in horsemanship competition

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.

Montana Saddle Clubs Association senior princess Emily Tuck puts a halter on her quarter horse Leo at the Rocky Mountain Riders Saddle Club in Columbia Falls Oct. 13, 2024. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake.)

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March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

9 hours ago

March 6, 2026

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March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

21 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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