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Horseman and Horsewoman Of The Year
The Red River Valley International Select Sire Futurity has an Award called the Horseman and Horsewoman
Of The Year. To nominate someone please contact Don Patterson2011
Horseman and Horsewoman Of The Year
Garrie and Anne Etherton Everywhere you look at Etherton Farms you will see horses. Anne and Garrie Etherton live and breathe horses! They are not
just in the horse business for themselves; they are in it because they love the horses and because they love helping others.
Anne and Garrie Etherton have been in the horse business for over thirty years. They operate a small breeding operation specializing
in halter horses. They are truly all around horse people. They ride, show, breed, promote horse education, work with youth,
and they are active in horse associations and organizations.
Garrie, originally from California, was stationed at Grand
Forks Air Force Base. He became friends with Mac McEwen, long time Quarter Horse judge, trainer, and breeder. Garrie rode
horses for Mac. Garrie bought his long time horse pal "Cassie", a registered palomino quarter horse mare from Mac.
He showed Cassie at quarter horse shows and the Red River Valley Horse Show Association. Anne, a Manvel, North Dakota native,
showed her Appaloosa gelding "Marque" at Appaloosa shows as well as at the Red River Valley Horse Show Association.
Both Anne and Garrie have devoted countless hours over the years to youth education. They volunteer at 4-H clinics to teach
grooming and showing techniques. Garrie has been the practice judge at mock shows for years, while Anne is helping families
learn to groom for the show pen. They put the fun into learning! Not only have they helped kids with learning to show, they
have provided the horse, the truck, and trailer, to get the kids to the show or to riding lessons. Many times one would see
Anne and Garrie at the ND state Fair with the kids. They continue to stay in contact with the kids they have worked with over
the years to see how they are doing. Anne and Garrie make lasting friendships with everyone they meet. Garrie has been known
to ride a horse for it's owner at a 4-H trail ride in small circles all the way when the owner gave up. They epitomize
the ideal of showmanship which is building lasting relationships with other horse enthusiasts and creating bonds with their
horses, and exemplifying the qualities of good sportsmanship!
At the same time together, they love to show performance
and halter horses. They successfully show Quarter Horses, Appaloosa, and Palomino horses at the state and national levels.
They serve in various capacities on horse association boards. They are always willing to help out. Anne and Garrie Etherton
are involved in all aspects of horse activities; from helping the backyard horse owner just getting started, youth, to raising
and successfully showing World Champion registered horses.
2010
Horseman Of The Year Howard Cotton I feel honored to be recognized as the 2010 Horseman of the Year.
Howard is from Cummings, North Dakota, where he resides
with his wife, Colette. He is a semi-retired farmer and still maintains his hobby farm, raising livestock and horses. Howard
and Colette are the parents of five children, Ben, Adam, Grace, Andrea and Joshua. Their eldest son, Ben, was tragically taken
in a vehicle accident in October of 2009. Adam and Sarah reside in Mandan, North Dakota with Jaylin, twins Klaire and Delaney,
Avah and Blaise. Grace and Eric live in Hillsboro, North Dakota and are the parents of Morgan and McKenzie. Andrea lives in
Bismarck, North Dakota and Josh in Beulah, North Dakota. Howard's family and his grandchildren are his greatest joy.
Howard has raised and shown horses all of his 66 years, starting with registered Shetland ponies in the fifties, to Arabian,
Appaloosa, and at present Quarter Horses. He has 10 mares and stands an own son of Doc's Wrangler. He has always subscribed
to the premise that the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.
Howard has several ponies to aid in the development
of his grandchildren, Buttons and Bows, Munchkin, Billy and Millie. Howard has been a past educator, a 4-H leader, a member
of several horse clubs and organizations over the years from AQHA, ApHC, International Arabian Club, American Shetland Pony
Club and many local clubs.
Howard's father-in-law, Harold Artz, always said, "Any child that has a pony will
turn out to be a constructive and productive person." Howard fully agrees.
2010 Horsewoman Of The Year
Dr. Jeanette Bjornstad I have loved horses all my life. My dad was sure my twin sister, Janelle and I were "horse crazy". He finally
gave in and bought us our first horse when we were nine years old. I grew up near Walhalla, North Dakota. In my junior year
in high school, I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian. My husband Randy and I were married in May 1977. I attended North
Dakota State University, majoring in animal science/nutrition. I was then accepted into the Veterinary program at Iowa State
University in the fall of 1981 and graduated with my DVM in May 1985.
After graduating, I came back to my home area and
became an associate veterinarian at the Park River Veterinary Clinic in June 1985. I began my mixed animal practice there
and continued until July 1998, at which time, I decided to start my own practice, Golden Valley Veterinary Service. During
the construction phase, I practiced out of my truck and house, working on dogs, cats, elk, cattle and horses, and in January
1999, I moved into my own private practice, on my farmstead, which is located seven miles west of Park River, North Dakota.
I am grateful to have Dr. Charlotte Klose with me since I started on my own and within the last year, Dr. Nathan Kjelland,
has joined us. We have great veterinary technicians, Wanda and Natalie, who make our work run smoothly and easily. Staslie
runs the front desk and keeps the coffee pot full for all that just drop in to "visit". My husband Randy takes care
of all the business aspects of the clinic. Whether large or small I enjoy all animals and so does my staff and I'm proud
of them.
I enjoy working with all types of horses. I have learned a lot from my clients in the different aspects of
competition and the work these horses do for a living. It's true, you learn something new every day! I have done a lot
of reproduction work ups and artificial insemination. We have had semen shipped from all over the United States. It is so
rewarding to see the positive ultrasounds and even more thrilling for me to see those resulting foals. I'm in my 25th
year of practice. During this time veterinary medicine has continually evolved and new challenges arise. I love it more than
ever.
In my "free' time I am riding one my own five Quarter horses. I have raised three geldings (Joe, Bozo
& Nic) from my mare, Foxy Lady By Jack, who is now 26 years old this year. I trail ride in our area, solo or with friends
and family. I've done a lot of team penning, but my favorite is going on cattle drives, whether my own cattle or a neighbors,
in the fall. Nel, my other mare is my favorite for working cattle. I like going to fun day horse shows, especially the team
events. I also enjoy the time spent with the 4-H groups in the local area and partaking in the Walsh County Fair held in the
fall of every year. The fellowship and friendships made at these events and working with "horse" people have been
a blessing to me!
I want to thank you for choosing me as the 2010 Horsewoman of the Year and I thank the Lord for the
opportunity to be in a career I love and enjoy every day!
2009
Horseman Of The Year Ted Johnson
Ted Johnson is from Hope, ND. He and his wife Betty have two grown girls: Teddi Jo Paulson (husband Lawrie) and Tonya
Nelson (husband Kip). He has four grandchildren: Jordan and Jessie Paulson and Cecilia and Easton Nelson. Ted and Betty lost
a son, Troy, in a farm accident in 1980.
Ted started with a pony when he was 3 years old and has been hooked ever
since. Don Williams and Wayne Kyser were instrumental in getting Ted involved with the Appaloosa breed. Ted was also involved
in 4-H as a kid. He and Betty were 4-H leaders while their girls were involved.Ted and the girls showed in the Red River Valley
International Appaloosa Horse Club and the North Dakota Horse Club. Ted and Betty hauled the girls to shows for twelve years.
The last several years of their horse showing career, Ernie Wigen, of Finley, ND, joined the family at the shows.
Ted is on the Board of Directors for The Great Midwest International Horse Club.Ernie kept his horses at Ted's farm
for ten years. One winter they had 27 horses together, including a team black Percherons. They gave many hay rides and sleigh
rides to family and friends.Ted and family have made many a trip to Medora with their horses and enjoyed camping and riding
in the Badlands with friends. Ted said, "This is about like going to Heaven."
Ted has many good memories
of being at horse shows all over the Midwest. He certainly has met many, many good people by being involved in horses. Ted
is still hoping for a trip to Medora yet this fall with his horse, Multiple Earnings, (Bud).
2009 Horsewoman Of The Year
Krista Montgomery
Krista and her husband Shawn and children: Evan, Ashley and Melissa own and operate the MonteRay Ranch in Manvel,
ND. The ranch offers boarding, training, stallion service, lessons, and show coaching, with clients ranging from children
and adults that have never touched a horse, to students showing at their breeds world championship shows. At this time
there are about 80 horses living at the ranch so it is definitely a busy place.
Krista has been involved with horses
her whole life. In the mid 1970's and early 80's Krista showed quarter horses on a regional and national
level. Her favorite classes were hunter under saddle and reining. She remembers that back then hunter under saddle
was called Bridle Path Hack Hunt Seat and the horses were shown with double rein pelham bit bridles and people fashioned a
checkerboard shape in the horses hair on the rump. Styles and horses change but the one thing that has never changed
for Krista is the fact that even after all these years she still loves her job because it has been so fun and rewarding.
Krista worked at the MonteRay when she was a teenager and began breaking horses for people at the age of 17. When
she was no longer showing in youth, she began to haul some very successful youth riders to shows; training and coaching them.
Krista then earned a bachelors degree in Equestrian Studies from Findlay College, Findlay, Ohio. After taking a break from
the horse business to start her family, she decided to reopen her mother-in-law, Annabel Montgomey's ranch.Her greatest
moments have been to witness the success of her children and her students. She is very proud of the fact that her
children have become such wonderful showman but even more importantly, have developed into just plain great riders.
I would like to thank my family for putting up with our somewhat chaotic lifestyle. I am especially grateful
to my children, for their grace in handling times when they have had to share their life and their mother's attention
with so many other people. Also I would like to thank my husband, Shawn, because none of this would be possible
without his continuing support of me and of the ranch. I want to thank the Red River Horse Breeders for honoring me in this
way. It is made even more special because my late mother-in-law Annabel received this very same award
many years ago. She was passionate about introducing people to horses and dedicated much of her life to promoting horses in
the upper Midwest. I am more than thrilled to continue her work. Her vision was to have a ranch where any level
horse and rider could learn and excel and that is what I think we are continuing to do today.
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Professional Photography Credits:
©
Dietz Photography, © Doyea Photography, © Marge Schwartz Photography, © Faye Unrau Photography, © Mane
Imaging, © Dakota Photo, © Jeff Kirkbride, © Larry Larson, © Anita Edwards Baumgartner - Dreaming4Gold
Photography - © Brose Photography
© Red
River Horse Breeders Association,Inc. All Rights Reserved
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