Trail riders tested their skills on poker ride
Thompson Falls veterinarian Abby Ingram tries her luck at the ping-pong cup throw. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Three Forks resident Niki Griffis on Ruby the Mule at the ping-pong throw. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Mistie Dillree from Ronan hits a bulls-eye shot at the BB gun station. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Along the trail on the Historic Jones Ranch. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Trail riders tested their skills on horseback and their luck playing poker, while riding through the historic Jones Ranch on Saturday.
Ninety-nine horsemen and women assembled at the ranch in Plains, which is owned by Jim and Barb Shallenberger. Back Country Horsemen of Wild Horse Plains has sponsored the poker ride for over 10 years, with the Jones Ranch being one of the most popular locations for the poker ride. Twenty-two of the members helped with the event.
Back Country Horsemen of Montana is the parent organization of Back Country Horsemen of Wild Horse Plains, with 18 chapters and over 1,000 members. The organization was first formed in the Flathead Valley in January of 1973, with the Plains chapter starting in 2011. It now has more than 140 chapters nationwide. The organization was formed to promote the commonsense use and enjoyment of horses in Montana’s roadless backcountry. They also help various government agencies in maintaining and managing local resources with trail repairs and help educate and encourage participation in the sustainable use of horses in the backcountry.
The trail ride stated out with each rider registering and purchasing each playing card hand for five dollars. Some riders purchased up to 20 cards. Each rider was required to check in to each of the five check-in stations along the 10-mile trail to draw a card, with the results entered on the rider’s playing card. Each station required a different approach in drawing their cards.
Station number three was manned by Dave and Laura Crawford, longtime members of the Back Country Horsemen organization. Laura said, “It’s a good ride and lots of fun.”
Dave Crawford has been the state director of the organization for six years. Station four seemed to be the most fun for the riders, with their attempts at throwing their ping-pong balls into cups. Many of the horses were not happy getting close to the cups filled with playing cards.
Station number five tested the rider’s skill at shooting at their needed playing cards with a BB gun. The BB gun shooting was done without the horse and seemed to be the most popular event with the riders, with a 90% participation rate. Many riders said that the course and event was well organized.
After each rider completed the trail ride, they settled down to a catered lunch provide by 5R Rustic Creations, owned, and operated out of Plains by Dave and Lisa Remsburg since 2016.
Some of the prizes were donated by Wayside Bar and Grill, McGowens, Gary’s Glass and Auto Body and Sanders County Feed. A fully equipped saddle was donated by Dave and Laura Crawford for the silent auction which raised six hundred dollars.
The overall winner of the Poker Ride was won by Trout Creek resident Doc Milham with a straight flush. He had his pick of choosing one of 10 available prizes.
Back Country Horsemen of Wild Horse Plains raised Twelve hundred dollars during the event.
