Donors

Jacob Christenson

Jacob Christenson is a recent Montana Western graduate and was a student in the Colt Challenge and Sale for four years. After graduation Jacob went back to Minnesota to continue his work on his family’s horse operation, OutWest. Jacob’s experience in the program, and the way that impacted him, inspired him to continue his relationship with the sale as a donor. Jacob believes the horse he selected will provide a great experience for students to learn and grow, just as he did. 

Erb Ranch

Calvin and Brooke have been ranching Beaverhead County for the last 30 years. They raise horses suitable for ranching in the big country of southwest Montana. The Erb’s strive to improve their horse herd every year to produce the most desired horses. Their horses’ bloodlines include Nu Cash, Gunsmoke and Jackie Bee. Calvin and Brooke have been donating horses to the University of Montana Western Natural Horsemanship program since 2011.

Harrington and Hirschy Quarter Horses

Harrington & Hirschy Quarter Horses is a family-run operation that is continuing the legacy of the late, Don Harrington. Harrington & Hirschy Quarter Horses have been producing quality horses for the last 40 years in Beaverhead County. Their horses’ bloodlines include: Nu Cash, Paddys Irish Whiskey, Doc O Dynamite, and Peptos Stylish Oak. Harrington & Hirschy Quarter Horses are intelligent and hard working animals. Harrington & Hirschy Quarter Horses have been donating colts to the UMW Sales Prep Class since 2011. Visit harringtonhirschyhorses.com for more information.

Holland Quarter Horses

Verna Holland and her late husband Chad are lifetime cattle ranchers in the Grasshopper Valley and have been members of the AQHA since 1968. Hollands’ horses are proven to be athletes in the competitive arenas as well as on the ranch. Conformation, disposition, cow sense, and athletic ability are the program goals. The Hollands enjoy watching young students learn and achieve their skills through the horsemanship program at UMW. They have been donating horses to the UMW sales Prep Class since 2011.

Hollenbeck Ranch

The Hollenbeck Ranch is located twenty-five miles west of Billings, MT. The Hollenbeck Ranch has been in the horse breeding business for four generations. They breed horses that have a purpose, disposition, and the ability to win. The goal of their breeding program is to preserve the Driftwood bloodlines, and produce horses from the Doc O Dynamite, San Peppy and Hancock bloodlines as well. These unique horses have had the ability to win for generations. This is the sixth year that they have donated horses to the Montana Western Sales Prep Class. Visit hollenbeckranch.com for more information.

Mahlstedt Ranch

Located in the Badlands of eastern Montana, Salers/Angus cattle and about 40 broodmares live on the pastures of Mahlstedt Ranch year-round. Mahlstedt Ranch was recognized in 2015 as a 50 year AQHA Ranching Heritage ranch. Horses have been on the ranch since it was homesteaded in 1912. They raise the kind of horses they like to ride; pretty, cowy, smooth to ride, smart, easy to work with, endurance to work long days sporadically, and speed for the job, then go compete on the weekends. The stallion lineup includes Sanrose Blue Colonel, Can Man Fling, LHR Dun Vintagesmoke, and Woody Be Blue 34.  Their horses are across the continent doing everything from working ranches, to rodeos, to polo. George & Jeanie Mahlstedt, Ross & Tana, Tienna, Alexis, and Corinne Canen are the 3rd, 4th, & 5th generations to operate the ranch. Visit mahlstedtranch.com for more information.

Nelson Quarter Horses

The Nelson Ranch is located west of Glasgow, raising commercial cattle and registered Quarter Horses, with the 4th generation now carrying their brand. The bloodlines of Poco Blackburn, Clarks Doc Bar, Doc O Dynamite, Mr San Peppy, Peppy San, Colonel Freckles, and Snip of Colonel being the backbone of their program and still are. They have been crossing the foundation quarter horse lines on High Brow Cat and Smooth Guy studs to continue raising quality horses. 

Roaring Springs Ranch

The Roaring Springs Ranch is headquartered in the sweeping Catlow Valley on the high desert of southeastern Oregon in Harney County. The mission of the ranch is to be sustainable: this requires focus on economic, ecologic, and social function of their operation. They are proud of the abundance of diverse wildlife species that share the landscape with their cattle, horses, and ranch families. RSR runs around 250-300 head of horses on the ranch, including 60 broodmares and three stallions. Their horses are foundation bred in order to develop a well-rounded ranch horse with good cow sense. This is the sixth time they have donated to the UMW Sales Prep Class. Visit rsrquarterhorses.com for more information.

Weaver Quarter Horses

The Weaver family has a long tradition of raising horses since 1887. The brand, A Standing X, was recorded in the Weaver name in 1888 and is still going strong six generations later. Stan and his wife Nancy live in the Bear Paw Mountains by Big Sandy, Montana. The Weaver horses are known for their bone structure, stamina, conformation and their keen eye for a cow. Some of the horses’ bloodlines include Peptoboonsmal, Peppy San Badger, Frenchmans Guy, Smart Little Lena and Poco Bueno. Weaver horses possess the mind and disposition to succeed in whatever you ask of them. They have been donating horses to the sales Prep Class since 2014. Visit weaverhorses.com for more information.