Students
Addison Gillentine
Addison Gillentine is a Sophomore from Ashland, Oregon. This is Addison’s first year in the sales prep class while she pursues her degree in Natural Horsemanship. She grew up competing in 4-H and OHSET at the state and regional level. She is an involved member of Chi Alpha, Horseman’s Club, and the Stock Horse team. She obviously enjoys riding but also loves dirt bikes and anything she can do with her two dogs. Addison hopes to become a colt starter and horse trainer and is already well on her way. Wish Addison and her colt RSR PLAYGUN DUNNIT, donated by the Roaring Springs Ranch, the best of luck at this year’s Colt Challenge and Sale.
Bailey Mills
Bailey Mills is a freshman Natural Horsemanship student from Nordland, Washington. Bailey had a very interesting childhood growing up with her family on a fish boat in rural Alaska. She also spent a significant about of time working with dressage trainers and is a USDF Bronze Medalist. Bailey plays the guitar, skis, and enjoys backpacking. Her career goals, currently, are to gain the knowledge and experience to put a good start on young horses. She hopes to breed, start, and produce horses versatile and solid horses that are prepared to go in any direction. Bailey has done a great job with SHORTY CAT WITH GUNS from the Erb Ranch.
Conagher Kane
Conagher Kane comes to us as a freshman from Hamilton, Montana. He is involved in the Horseman’s Club and Stock Horse team as well as Young Farmers and Ranchers. Conagher enjoys roping, cooking, skiing, and riding ranch broncs. Conagher has even participated in a bull fight in Portugal. He has hopes of becoming a rawhide braider and cow horse trainer. This year Conagher is riding JUST TOO MUCH CASH, donated by Harrington Hirschy Quarter Horses.
Elise Brann
Ella Rice is a 19 year old sophomore from Warsaw, Wisconsin where she was homeschooled. She is pursuing degrees in Business and Natural Horsemanship. Ella was the 2019 AQHA Young Horse and Development National Champion. She hopes to have a career in equine marketing, sales, and consignments and spend a lifetime collecting knowledge and experience. She is heavily involved on campus as a Student Senator, campus activities coordinator, Horsemans Club Secretary, and a Fly Fishing Club officer. Ella loves all things outdoors; hiking, fishing, backpacking, and skiing. This is her first year in sales prep and she is riding GR BLUE DRIFTWOOD from the Garrison Ranch.
Gabriela Timmons
Gabriela Timmons is a Senior from Erie, Colorado and is pursuing degrees in Natural Horsemanship and Small Business Management. Gaby is a part of the Montana Western Fly-Fishing Club and loves baking, fishing, photography, hiking, and braiding reins. She is also Arc Welding Certified. Gaby prides herself on being an excellent gift giver. She hopes to be her own boss and run her own business. This is Gaby’s first year in sales prep, and she is riding {sorrel mare} donated by the Roaring Springs Ranch.
Isabelle Friesen
Isabelle Friesen is our resident foreigner, coming to us from La Crete, Alberta Canada. She is a Junior, and this is her 2nd year in Sales Prep and the Natural Horsemanship program. She is part of Young Farmers and Ranchers, Horseman’s Club, and the Stock Horse team. She spends her time barrel racing, snowboarding, and figure skating. You can even see her dog run her barrel pattern with her and her horse. Izzy has started her own training and coaching business and hopes to continue that while being a futurity barrel trainer. This year Izzy is riding PEPTOS DASH OF LEROY donated by Harrington and Hirschy Quarter Horses.
Keelyn Hall
Keelyn Hall is a 3rd year Natural Horsemanship student from Filer, Idaho. This is her 2nd year in sales prep and last year she had the High Selling Colt, purchased by her family. She also was awarded the Most Enthusiastic Award last year. Keelyn is a part oof Young Farmers and Ranchers and Horseman’s Club. She loves moving cows with her dad, who is now riding and using her past sale colt. She also enjoys painting, drawing, and reading. Keelyn is left-handed and can sing her ABC’s backwards. She isn’t what her career will look like, but she is going to make it something fun. Keelyn is riding MONTANA CHAPSTICK from the Nelson Ranch.
Maddalena Hylton
Maddalena Hylton is a Senior Natural Horsemanship student from Moscow, Idaho. Lena’s hobbies include cooking, hiking, and drawing. She has also competed in the Mustang Makeover challenge. Lena already has a job lined up after graduation in Missoula to ride horses for the public and give lessons. Lena is riding MISS PRAIRIE BADGER donated by the Hollenbeck Ranch.
Stella Knoop
Stella Knoop comes to us from Memphis, Tennessee. She is a Sophomore in the Natural Horsemanship program, and this is her first year in Sales Prep. She is a part of the Horseman’s club and enjoys leatherwork and snakes. She also claims to be the biggest Jurassic Park fan you will ever meet. She competed in the 2022 and 2023 Extreme Mustang Makeover and was the champion in 2023. Stella is riding JUSTA CD CAT from the Nelson Ranch.
Tristan Connelly
Tristan Connelly is a 5th year senior from Placerville, California. He is a Natural Horsemanship and Business student and is part of Horseman’s Club and Young Farmers and Ranchers. His hobbies include fishing and mowing the lawn. Tristan says that his accomplishments are being in college and owning horses and starting colts. Tristan hopes to find something interesting to turn into a career. This is Tristan’s first year in sales prep, and he is riding DOCS LIL ANNIE donated by Holland Quarter Horses.
Walker Ayers
Walker Ayers is a Sophomore Natural Horsemanship student from Tonasket, Washington. He grew up raising and showing steers as well as competing in FFA competitions such as hay judging, tractor driving, and parliamentary procedure. He enjoys riding, putting up hay, roping, and playing basketball. He is currently a member of Horseman’s Club and Young Farmers and Ranchers. Walker wants to become a recognized horse trainer and be proud of the horses he produces. This is his first year in sales prep and he is riding ACE THE DRIFTER donated by the Hollenbeck Ranch.
Arden Henshaw
Arden Henshaw is a first-time sales prep student from Templeton, Massachusetts. Arden is a 3rd year Natural Horsemanship student that hopes to become a colt starter and horse trainer. Arden has shown at Quarter Horse Congress for IEA, placing second, and has traveled to Spain for an international soccer tournament. Arden’s hobbies include losing video games and watching as the dog run away. This year Arden is riding and showing SAC EM CEDARWOOD from the Hollenbeck Ranch.
Brooklynn Voigt
Brooklynn Voigt is a sophomore from Idaho Falls, Idaho. She is pursuing degrees in Business Administration and Natural Horsemanship. She is heavily involved on campus as part of the Fly-Fishing Club, Horseman’s Club, and the Cauldron Club. Brooklynn is a competitive show jumper and barrel racer as well as trick rider. She has competed all over the country in high level shows and rodeos. She is also a race car driver. Brooklynn hopes to one day compete in the Grand Prix and become a published author. Brooklynn is riding HQH SNIP O FROST donated by the Erb Ranch.
Dylan Brenny
Dylan Brenny is a 2nd year Natural Horsemanship student from Monticello Minnesota. This is his second year in sales prep and last year he placed 2nd in the competition and had the second highest selling horse. He is currently the Treasurer for the Horseman’s Club and the Vice President of Young Farmers and Ranchers. Dylan loves to duck hunt and fish as well as start colts and ride and show ranch horses. He has won buckles in many ranch horse shows and colt start challenges back in Minnesota. Dylan wants to raise, train, and sell quality ranch horses that he is proud to put his name on. This year Dylan is riding JUSTA SNIPN CAT from Nelson Quarter Horses and SACOS COWBOY from Holland Quarter Horses.
Everett Richins
Everett Richins is from Terreton, Idaho and is a senior at Montana Western. Everett is a Business Administration major pursuing the Farm and Ranch Management option. Everett loves to team rope and rodeo and spends a lot of time working at Frecker’s Saddlery. Everett wants to train cutting and rope horses as well as build up a broodmare band and host a production sale. Everett says that his biggest accomplishments are getting into sales prep and getting engaged to Becky Thompson. He is showing and riding WEAVERS SMART GUY donated by Weaver Quarter Horses.
Hayleigh Lewis
Hayleigh Lewis is originally from Las Vegas and is a Junior pursuing a Bachelor’s in Natural Horsemanship. She Hayleigh is a cheerleader, winning several National Competitive Cheer Competitions, as well as cheering for Montana Western. She enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, and anything outdoors. Hayleigh has packed mules in the Bob Marshall for the past six years. She hopes to train both horses and mules after graduation. This is Hayleigh’s first year in sales prep, and she is riding DUALIN NU CASH donated by Harrington and Hirschy Quarter Horses.
Kat Hansen
Kat Hansen is our reigning champion from last year’s Colt Challenge. She is a senior from Ogden, Utah majoring in Natural Horsemanship and Modern History. Kat loves riding bareback and enjoys running and reading. Kat is also a twin. She has been showing in the NRHA for 10 years, working for several high-level trainers including a million-dollar cowhorse trainer. She hopes to continue riding and training reining horses when she graduates. This year Kat is riding WEAVERS PERKS ECHO donated by Weaver Quarter Horses.
Lily Thommes
Lily Thommes is a Junior from Woodbury, Minnesota. She is a Natural Horsemanship student at Western and is a part of the Young Farmers and Ranchers club. Lily spends her time hat shaping, leatherworking, taking photos and videos for rodeos, and she can even play the harmonica. She is proud of becoming a more confident horsewoman and seeing how much she has improved in her horsemanship. She hopes to have a career making consistent horses and have happy clientele. This is her first year in sales prep and she is riding DAKOTA SLIPPERY DUN, donated by Jacob Christenson.
Madison Perdue
Madison Perdue is a senior from Big Sky, Montana. She grew up trail riding and packing horses, so she had only stepped foot in an arena less than five times prior to starting at Western. She is involved in the Gaming Club and Young Farmers and Ranchers. Madison’s hobbies include reading, drawing, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. She is a great student and has been on the Dean’s list every year. Madison is particularly interested in the psychological side of horse training and hopes to use that in her future career. She is riding BOON DOC BUSTER donated by Jacob Christenson.
Taylor Peck
Taylor Peck is from Sagle, Idaho and she is a Junior. She is majoring in Natural Horsemanship with a Farm and Ranch Management minor. She is a part of Horseman’s club and Young Farmers and Ranchers. She grew up showing horses and steers in 4-h and she started her first horse at 12 that she proceeded to bring with her to college. She loves doing horseback pack trips and riding and training horses. She hopes to turn that into a career of starting and training horses. Taylor is riding DOCS GO N ROAN donated by Holland Quarter Horses.
Vivian Mayers
Vivian Mayers is a Junior from Corcoran, Minnesota. She is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Natural Horsemanship and Business Administration. She is currently the Catholic Campus Ministry Vice President. She grew up riding in 4-H, has been a Minnesota state 4-h ambassador, and has even hosted clinics. Vivian is also a certified Equine Massage Therapist. She loves spending time in nature either playing with her dog or riding horses. She hopes to continue training horses, teaching lessons, and would like to become a 4-h extension educator. This is Vivian’s first year in sales prep, and she is riding SLD SKIPPA BET donated by the Roaring Springs Ranch.
Wrenna Cooke
Wrenna Cooke is a sophomore from Harper, Oregon. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Natural Horsemanship and is a part of the Horseman’s club. Wrenna has shown in State 4-H and started and competed in the ranch colt program. She enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing volleyball. Wrenna wants to become a horse trainer and start her own breeding program. This is Wrenna’s first year in sales prep, and she is riding HQH DRIFTIN DREAM donated by the Erb Ranch and MRI CATHC ME BLUE donated by the Mahlstedt Ranch.