Jackson, MT

Lodging | Services | Events

Wisdom, MT

Lodging | Services | Events

Dale Strodtman Memorial Turkey Shoot 2024

Saturday Oct. 19

12 Noon - 4pm
Jackson MT, Lone Tree Ranch

Big Hole Valley Veterans & Horses

BHVA PRESS RELEASE: THE DILLON TRIBUNE SEPTEMBER 2024

Seven veterans visited the Felton Ranch in the Big Hole Valley August 16-18 to learn about horses, share stories And perhaps heal a bit from their past experiences.

At the ranch their food, housing, training and horses are provided by the Big Hole Valley Association and Greg Eliel.

In a letter to the association after attending the event, a veteran wrote, “this has been life changing” Dennis Havig, a Big Hole Association member who leads the planning for the event said, “this is a way to say thanks to people who serve, and if someone comes away better for the session, that’s great.”

Greg Eliel, the session leader, is a fourth-generation Big Hole cowboy who grew up on a ranch in the valley. After college, he made it his life’s work teaching people how to understand a horse, how to train a horse, how to correct bad behavior in horses and sometimes how to correct bad behavior in the rider. Greg’s horsemanship business causes him to travel the United States teaching these skills. He has recently specialized in working with veterans. Greg volunteers his time and talents to this event. Rich Felton, operating the Felton Angus Ranch, has been very generous, allowing the program to use their ranch house and Corrals.

Winston Churchill is credited with saying “the outside of the horse is good for the inside of the man” Multiple people in the association have provided meals, horses, round pen and their time. “They all deserve a big thanks,” Havig said. The money donated at the skijoring parking lot each winter is used to cover the out-of-pocket costs of the event. “Actually when you think about it, a lot of people have helped make this event a success”. Since 2017, the Big Hole Valley Association has brought veterans together in the Big Hole Valley in August. The organization thinks that Churchill was right.