Big Sky Horse Park/Missoula Horse Council

01/20/2025

While the temps will be dropping, the Big Sky Horse Park ice rink was poppin' all weekend! We are thrilled to see the community enjoying this space and want to thank the county, the Big Sky Stewardship Council and Josh Slotnick for helping steer this project. Just a reminder to please keep the gate closed if you come and go! ❄️⛸️🐎

01/17/2025

I’ve deleted the Whitehall horses post. They’ve been found safe, and with time delays on all the comments, a couple of people aren’t being very nice.
Thanks to the horse community for getting the word out so quickly, and for your support!

01/15/2025

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the Big Sky Horse Park Member Appreciation Party on January 9th! We had an incredible evening filled with friends, fun, and fantastic food. An extra shout-out goes to our amazing team of volunteers who organized, decorated, and cooked up a storm—this event would not have been possible without you!

We were lucky to have the Missoula County 4-H Horse Project to help serve dinner and were a vital part of the clean-up crew.

A big congratulations to Katie Williams, who won our Free Membership Raffle.

And we were so lucky to have both Bobbie Thompson Photography and Montana Magic Photography to help us capture some moments from the evening!

Here is a sneak peek of some of the photos we have posted on the blog! Click here to find and download your memory from the night!

https://www.bigskyhorsepark.org/post/big-sky-horse-park-member-appreciation-party

01/04/2025

Looking forward to the upcoming season at the BSHP!

12/15/2024

Reminder to RSVP! Join us for the Big Sky Horse Park Membership Party!

When: Tuesday, January 9th
Where: Missoula Fairground Arts Building

It's going to be a wonderful evening to celebrate our community and look forward to the year ahead!

Please RSVP now to secure your spot – we can’t wait to see you there!

https://www.bigskyhorsepark.org/event-details-registration/member-appreciation-party/form

We could use some help to make the party extra special. If you can assist with any of the following, please reach out:

• 10-15 straw bales for decor
• Galvanized tubs to chill drinks
• Old photos of the park for a timeline display
• Volunteers for set-up and takedown
• Volunteers to help with the dinner line

If you would like to help, please message the park either through our page or the website. Let’s come together to make this event unforgettable. Thank you for your support!

12/15/2024

Thank you to the Missoula Rural Fire Department for filling up the Big Sky Horse Park ice skating rink! We caution anyone using it until it is 100% solid which is taking a bit longer due to our mild temps!

12/06/2024

The Big Sky Horse Park December Newsletter went out this morning! In case you missed it, get caught up here:

We have exciting things happening at Big Sky Horse Park in 2024, and we can't wait to share them with you!RSVP for our Sadie Hawkins-Style Membership Party: Kick off the year with a fun twist on tradition! Join us January 9th at the Fairground Arts Building for an evening of connection and celebrati...

12/03/2024

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Big Sky Horse Park Board! 🎉

We are thrilled to welcome our newly elected board members:
✨ Jessica Lewis
✨ Leilani Terry
✨ Sabrina Zamudio
✨ Callie Reger
✨ Morgan Haynie

A big thank you to our returning board members for their continued dedication:
🌟 Irene Given
🌟 Katy Nichwander
🌟 Karla Nichwander
🌟 Deb Anderson
🌟 Clara Davison
🌟 Scott David

Special congratulations to Scott David, our returning President, and Karla Nichwander, our new Vice President! We’re so excited for the leadership and vision they will bring to the park in the year ahead.

Here’s to another amazing year of supporting our equine community and making Big Sky Horse Park a place we all love. 🐴💙

11/29/2024

The Big Sky Horse Park made the The Chronicle Of The Horse! https://lane-press.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=835858&p=22&view=issueViewer&fbclid=IwY2xjawG15GdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT7HulbrI6oaBjGPDJXTYRI10d7epy1zxIkyaDNL7UWSsn2_naEqS2_Zuw_aem_wI94VodkDo7HlcXnt_4ifw

BSHP has been hosting Licensed Working Equitation shows since 2019. We have been honored to host a Regional Championship, Zone Championship, and The Cross National Cup. It is a favorite Working Eq venue for many competitors in the region as we are one of the only venues that offers an outside course, bank, and water obstacle. This sport is catching on quickly, and is great for all breeds and disciplines. Read the article and find out more! If you are interested in more information, you can PM Sheila Mealey.

11/27/2024

The ballots for the 2024 Board Elections are out! 🎉 Check your email for a message with the subject line: "Vote now: Missoula Horse Council DBA Big Sky Horse Park - 2024 Missoula Horse Council Board Elections" from [email protected].

💌 Didn’t receive an email? Don’t worry! Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll provide you with your unique key and voting link.

Eligibility: You must be a 2024 Big Sky Horse Park member and 18 years or older to vote.

Meet Leilani Terry:

What specific skills, expertise, or experience do you bring that would contribute to the growth and success of the horse park?

“Marketing, Public relations, USDF/AQHA/MHJA/MCHA/NRCHA/NCHA affiliate, BBA, Colorado State University, BA, University of Montana”

How do you see the horse park evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role would you play in helping achieve that vision?

“I see the park becoming a riding facility and event center for multiple disciplines year-round. I would like to offer ideas moving forward with western disciplines and associations.”

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the park, and how would you address it as a board member?

“I studied Media Art at the University of Montana and would like to offer my services focusing on photography and videography to help promote online presence per marketing strategies. The park offers a variety of events and clinics, though I would like to promote additional western discipline events and/or clinics to ramp up the involvement of the western community.”

How would you collaborate with other board members, volunteers, and the local community to ensure the park remains a valuable resource for all?

“I would like to discuss with current board members their vision for the park moving forward”

11/25/2024

The ballots for the 2024 Board Elections are out! 🎉 Check your email for a message with the subject line: "Vote now: Missoula Horse Council DBA Big Sky Horse Park - 2024 Missoula Horse Council Board Elections" from [email protected].

💌 Didn’t receive an email? Don’t worry! Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll provide you with your unique key and voting link. Eligibility: You must be a 2024 Big Sky Horse Park member and 18 years or older to vote.

Meet Morgan Haynie:

What specific skills, expertise, or experience do you bring that would contribute to the growth and success of the horse park?

“As a project manager by trade, I have more than 10 years of success managing projects and initiatives, overcoming obstacles with productive solutions, improving processes and systems, and building strong relationships and partnerships. I have varied experience ranging from working at some of Missoula's greatest nonprofits to employment in local government to navigating the corporate world. In each capacity I have excelled in managing the ex*****on of projects, maximizing revenue expansion, and process optimization. I am invested in using my skillset to sustain, improve, and grow the community at Big Sky Horse Park.”

How do you see the horse park evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role would you play in helping achieve that vision?

“I see the park growing and changing with Missoula. I hope to see the park turn into a self-sustaining, community-oriented, and welcoming space for equestrians and the Missoula community. As Missoula continues to become a sought after place to live, I am confident that Big Sky Horse Park will find safety, longevity, and vitality in expansion of fundraising, solidifying internal processes, and continued growth of membership & community support.”

11/20/2024

📢 Big Sky Horse Park Board Elections: Cast Your Vote! 🗳️

The ballots for the 2024 Board Elections are out! 🎉 Check your email for a message with the subject line:
"Vote now: Missoula Horse Council DBA Big Sky Horse Park - 2024 Missoula Horse Council Board Elections"
from [email protected].

💌 Didn’t receive an email? Don’t worry! Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll provide you with your unique key and voting link.

Eligibility: You must be a 2024 Big Sky Horse Park member and 18 years or older to vote.

Let’s shape the future of the park together! 🌟 Voting closes 11/30, so don’t wait!

11/19/2024

Meet your Big Sky Horse Park 2025 Election Nominees!

The ballots for the 2024 Board Elections are out! 🎉 Check your email for a message with the subject line: "Vote now: Missoula Horse Council DBA Big Sky Horse Park - 2024 Missoula Horse Council Board Elections" from [email protected].

💌 Didn’t receive an email? Don’t worry! Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll provide you with your unique key and voting link.

Eligibility: You must be a 2024 Big Sky Horse Park member and 18 years or older to vote.

Meet Jessica Lewis:

What specific skills, expertise, or experience do you bring that would contribute to the growth and success of the horse park?
40 yrs of horse showing
AQHA Certfied horse show Secy/Manager

How do you see the horse park evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role would you play in helping achieve that vision?
“Add more events, the horse park has so much opportunity to offer additional events.”

How would you collaborate with other board members, volunteers, and the local community to ensure the park remains a valuable resource for all?
“Keeping conversations all about the park and leaving personal feeling out of the equation.”

11/17/2024

🎉 Mark your calendars! 🎉

Join us for a Sadie Hawkins-themed Member Appreciation Party on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Home Arts Building at the Missoula Fair Grounds (1101 South Ave W, Missoula, MT).

👖 Bust out your favorite denim and flannel for this fun-filled open house!
🍽️ A delicious BBQ Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM. Come and go as you please!
✨ Let’s kick off the new year together and share our vision for the park’s future.

This event also doubles as our annual membership meeting, so don’t miss out!

Please RSVP through the link in bio!

11/17/2024

Meet your Big Sky Horse Park 2025 Election Nominees!

The ballots for the 2024 Board Elections are out! 🎉 Check your email for a message with the subject line: "Vote now: Missoula Horse Council DBA Big Sky Horse Park - 2024 Missoula Horse Council Board Elections" from [email protected].

💌 Didn’t receive an email? Don’t worry! Reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll provide you with your unique key and voting link.

Eligibility: You must be a 2024 Big Sky Horse Park member and 18 years or older to vote.

Meet Karla Nichwander:

How do you see the horse park evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role would you play in helping achieve that vision?

“I think the horse park needs to be conscious of the fragile position of being county owned and managed and maintained by the membership. In a time of open land being needed for housing, the park needs to continually "prove" its value to the community by increasing membership, satisfying both member and spectator experience for our mission of providing equestrian facility as well as engagement with nonhorsey to strengthen our advocacy with the community. The evolution of this is to improve what the park currently has and add additional amenities to increase utilization so as to not risk the county selling the and out from under the park.”

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the park, and how would you address it as a board member?

“As a first term board member for 2023 and 2024, the committee's were re-activated by the board president which had not been active in abit of time. My main interests initially were the direction of the park (Long Term Planning ) and then the financial condition of the park. Going forward my prior work and organizational experience continues to support those interests but I also feel like the remaining committees are of interest and needed involvement when I look at the park from a holistic lens they all are instrumental in the functioning of the park.”

How would you collaborate with other board members, volunteers, and the local community to ensure the park remains a valuable resource for all?

“In my thoughts, the biggest challenge the park faces is the ongoing need to show to the county, the neighborhood and most importantly to the park members, where the value of keeping it as an equestrian facility lies. As a board member, I think you address it by working together cohesively to provide improvement in the metrics: membership numbers, event participation, park improvements in both new and improved amenities as well as community engagement with the offerings of both equestrian and nonequestrian usage for the community to see and enjoy the beauty of the open land.”

11/05/2024

Meet your Big Sky Horse Park 2025 Election Nominees!

Meet Sabrina Zamudio:

What specific skills, expertise, or experience do you bring that would contribute to the growth and success of the horse park?

As a horse owner and member of the Missoula community I am thrilled with the valuable community resources to support horsemanship throughout the region. I believe my 30+ years of marketing expertise, strong track record of leadership in volunteer positions and passion for open space and horses could have a positive impact on the horse park.

"30 + Year Marketing Expertise.

Long-time volunteer in leadership capacities with community-oriented non-profits. Several of my volunteer positions were served for multiple years, and focused on event planning and fundraising.

I have a track record of supporting the organizations’ overarching mission and curriculum and being a reliable leader that adheres to deadlines, effectively organizes and recruits volunteers, uses meeting time effectively and works well with all team members."

How do you see the horse park evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role would you play in helping achieve that vision?

“Over the next 5 to 10 years I envision continuing to add and refine events that serve the existing horse park community and the surrounding area — honoring the roots of the events while expanding them to bring in more non-members and essentially making them bigger, brighter and better. I would also envision bringing in more outside events and establishing partnerships that can help to increase awareness of the horse park.”

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the park, and how would you address it as a board member?

“I am interested in the Membership and Event Planning committees. I find it very rewarding to support an organization’s mission with an event and see a community respond positively to something that I have helped create. This becomes a win-win for the community and the organization.”

How would you collaborate with other board members, volunteers, and the local community to ensure the park remains a valuable resource for all?

“I feel that the biggest challenge facing the park is awareness among non-members. As a board member, I would actively think about how the events can be supported to further raise awareness within the local horse and non-horse community. Continuing to expand community involvement in ways that serve the mission of the park will help ensure a future of maintaining open space.”

Ballots go out 11/15 | Election is 11/30