Dave Vietor was the chairman of the Montana Reined Cowhorse Futurity held in Deer Lodge, MT in the 1990s and later in Kalispell through 2014. He was a trainer, mentor, coach, judge, and fierce fence competitor. He passed away in 2012. The Memorial Trophy, begun in 2013, is a fitting remembrance. Each year at the MRCHF show, the Fence Challenge is one run down the fence, with non-pro and open winners’ names inscribed on the perpetual bronze trophy and custom spurs given to the victors. The 2024 Montana Reined Cowhorse Futurity is at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, MT on September 18th-22nd. The Fence Challenge is featured Saturday evening, Sept. 21st, and will showcase the best hands and toughest fence horses in the Northwest. The futurity for three-year-old cowhorses tests them in three events in three days: herd work (cutting), reined work, and fence work with a single cow down the fence. Derby horses are four and five years old, and also compete in all three phases. Two complete horse shows feature youth, non pro, and open classes for bridle and hackamore horses. The Montana show is the state’s premier event for cowhorses and cowhorse fans.
Past Winners
2023 Open: Non Pro:
2022 Open: Non Pro:
2021 Open: Travis Young | Misreymembered Non Pro:
2020 Open: Matt Kelly | Shiner Dear Rey NonPro: Landon Luce | Hollywood Shiners
2019 Open: Chad Blaisdell | Playinlightsout Non Pro: Landon Luce | Hollywood Shiners
2018 Open: Jim Spence | Nic The Wrangler Non Pro: Jesse Spence | Nic The Wrangler
2017 Open: Travis Young | Travelin Lynx Non Pro: Wendi Lund | Smooth As Tamulena
2016 Open: Jess kirkpatrick | Dtarstruck Player Non Pro: RJ Snyder | Tuf N Clever
2015 Open: Jeremy Meador | Pepto Double Time Non Pro: Amelia Wakley | Kickback Nic 2014 Open: Becky Hurst | Little Devil Boon Non Pro: Cody Folkvord | Elana Doc | 2013 Open: Becky Hurst | Nic The Smart Non Pro: Doug Sapergia | Nu King Remedy |