Dillon, Montana, December 31, 2020 --- As 2020 draws to a close, the Montana Center for Horsemanship is today, more than ever, guided and inspired by a vision to achieve the following --- helping horses and humans reach their full potential by working together; education built upon a unique partnership focused on natural horsemanship; and perpetuating a defining tradition of the American West.
The Center has also announced, with exceptional gratitude and hope for the year ahead, that it has just received a $50,000 anonymous gift to help continue the development of state-of-the-art classrooms and veterinary-research laboratory, along with additional horse housing and conference and meeting space, all within a large arena.
The international learning, education, and event Center, headquartered in Dillon, Montana, reflects its mission, to perpetuate the defining traditions of the American West, by being in what is still, one of the most traditional and breathtaking settings and natural environments in the western United States. It is an education center that in normal times, brings students from all over the world, of all ages and backgrounds, to study within this unique natural horsemanship environment.
Over the past year, despite the pandemic and the limitations placed upon the Center for in-person learning, many programs were able to continue and much is planned for the New Year. This spring, the Center is coordinating the annual Colt Sale, in collaboration with the University of Montana Western - an auction of some of the best colts ever bred, who are donated to UMW and MCH, so that students in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Horsemanship degree program, can train, ride, teach and learn with the colts before the horses are offered for sale to the public in early April. All proceeds support scholarships.
The Center also continued its dynamic, ground-breaking capital expansion, which, when completed will make the Center one of the most unique education and event centers in the nation. The $50,000 grant, just received by the Center by a donor who wished to remain anonymous, is a major step towards development of the classrooms.
According to Janet Rose, Director of Development & Communications, “this is a gift of great significance. While we still have major funding yet to raise to complete the capital campaign, this is an important gift to education and the many students and horses who will gain enormous benefit. The veterinary-research laboratory is such a significant part of our overall vision to promote hands-on research, within a working horsemanship arena. It’s a very meaningful and impactful gift and we are so grateful.”
In January 2021, in-person horsemanship classes resume at the Center as students prepare for the Colt Sale. Other programs and events are being planned to include a national/international Conference featuring Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the world’s leading animal behavior scientists and Dr. Barbara Baker, a nationally ranked champion barrel racer and president of the only zoo in the world (the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium) using natural horsemanship to assist in the management of exotic wildlife.
To learn more about the capital campaign, programs, events and supporting the Center’s future efforts, please visit www.montanacenterforhorsemanship.org or contact Janet Rose at 406.925.3270
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The mission of the Montana Center for Horsemanship
To help every horse and person make the most of their respective livesTo enable horses to learn effectively and experience “horse happiness” through the process of Natural HorsemanshipTo help individuals achieve personal and professional success in the equine fields
www.montanacenterforhorsemanship.orgThe Montana Center for Horsemanship is a not for profit 501(c)(3) affiliate of the William Kriegel Foundation-Horse, Human and nature