The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Omoksee is always a family activity. It's interesting to watch. I had to ask why some horses ran faster, and others ran slower. I was told it really isn't a race. It's working to the horse's ability and the rider's ability. Sometimes the smaller children ride the horse while someone in front of the horse reins the horse. Even one of the horses with an adult male was led into the arena. I was told it's because the horse is nervous in the waiting area, but the horse does his job in the arena.

Every time there is an Omoksee, they do six different events. In this Omoksee, they did Pole Bending, Half Eight Race, Polo Turn, Scurry Thru, National Flag Race, and Speed Barrels.

I sat down to enjoy a hamburger from the concession stand, and a teenager came to sit by me. We visited about her love of her horses. She's home-schooled because she wants more time to be involved with animals. School for her takes so much time away from them. She was wearing a big silver belt buckle she had earned in a past Omoksee. She had spent time helping her younger siblings, and she told me it was challenging to run in the arena, although it didn't look like it should be.

We were sitting at the cement table when she asked me if I would say anything about the Big Sandy Saddle Club, and I said yes. She said that's good. The Big Sandy Saddle Club is over 60 years old. Original members were Henry Drga, Jim Pursley, Sam Cooke, Ellsworth Butler, Lester Slugget Sr., Glen Terry, and Dave O. Tester.

The Omoksee had participants from Havre. One was a gramma who brought her grandchildren up to run the events on their horses. It was a reminder to me that there were still some simple activities that celebrate family. Omoksee is one of those old traditions that has served families well over the years. Although it's true most don't use horses as much as they used to, they are still used in working with cattle. While doing some research, I found this definition: "The most technical term for a person who loves horses is a hippophile (from 'hippo,' meaning horse, and 'phile,' meaning one that loves). A lot of people also use the term equestrian when referring to someone who loves horses." We call them cowboys or cowgirls. May they live long.