Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A S P R I N G | 2 0 1 4 1 1 Gal Barrel racing in Big Sky country for the mt part enjoyable and unpre- dictable. Weather and ground conditions make it difficult. My love began at age two when I started rid- ing. I rode in parades and for pleasure. Then, like other girls, as I got older I got involved in horse shows in the 4-H programs. What got my atten- tion were the O-Mok-Sees that I began going to in Cutbank and Conrad. (The National Saddle Clubs Association adopted "pattern horse racing competitions," referred to as O-Mok-Sees, which allow the entire family to compete). They led me to rodeos, which have been my main focus since I got my first barrel horse for my birthday at age 12. "Robbie" was my first love and shaped me to the rider I am today. Now I am mounted on a seven-year-old black mare, named "Gee Gee". She is young and is well known for being only14.2 hands. She was voted 2013 Horse of the Year in the Northern Rodeo Association. It took us only a handful of rodeos to be competitive when normally it can take up to a year for a horse and rider to "mesh". The rodeo scene is filled with determined people and lots of horses. You see dogs and kids running around. "Behind the scenes" contestants get their horses ready, throw loops at a "dummy" steer or calf, stretch, and prepare mentally. The rodeo trail takes me many miles: from Eureka to Wibaux, Gardiner to Babb, and places in-between. I compete against "pro" women at times and anticipate when I turn 18 that I may be able to step up to that circuit. For me barrel racing is challenging and ad- dicting. After we run, regardless of how we do, I always praise my horse for doing her best. Rearch your roots in Big Sky Country through one of the 18 societies or by attending the annual convention of the Montana State Genealog- ical Society (September 25-27) in Helena. Learn how to look for missing family members on the In- ternet, in public libraries, churches, cemeteries, tax records, wills, homestead applications and many other resources with free assistance and support from experienced society members. Complete a family tree and write interesting family histories. Field trips include cemetery walks, unmarked plot identification, grave dowsing, obituary compila- tions, and historical site visits, such as Little Big Horn or Woodman of the World Dance Hall. My mother said repeatedly that our relatives were 'poor and ignorant.' When I began my family research, I interviewed my cousin. She said that our ances- tors had a mansion down south and nice things — fine china and crystal. My research revealed that our great-great-grandfather was a state senator for three terms. A monument for him says "Died in service to the State." I would have never learned that encouraging information with- out the help of my genealogical society members. taylour russell is 17-years-old, from Conrad, and ranked #1 lady barrel racer by the Northern Rodeo Association. Last year she also performed the best and fastest in Butte, Polson, and Harlowton. Genealogical Searching judith williams is a freelance writer living on the family ranch in the heart of Dearborn Valley north of Helena. She has cats, dogs, horses, guinea fowl, and grandchildren for company. When not fixing fences or spraying weeds on her conservation easement, she sleuths out missing ancestors on the Internet and teaches ATV safety to Montana women. Dillon Beaver Headhunters Genealogical Society Hamilton Bitterroot CHester Broken Mountains Butte Silver Bow leWistoWn Central Montana GlenDive Dawson Country Tree Branches Kalispell Flathead County Havre Fort Assiniboine Great Falls Great Falls BoulDer Jefferson County Helena Lewis and Clark liBBY Lincoln County CHinooK Milk River livinGston Park County Deer loDGe Powell County plentYWooD Sheridan Day Breakers missoula Western Montana BillinGs yellowstone Genealogy Forum Societies meet monthly. Contact details for local societies may be found through wwwmontanamsgs.org. Find one in your area: Barrel Racing in Montana by taylour russell by judith williams Judith with her mother and granddaughter

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