Horse sweat and cards...

By Jean Pocha

Pathfinder Correspondent

HELMVILLE "Thanks for riding with us," were the parting words to the 170 riders after they drew their last card in the Third Annual Helmville Poker Ride Oct. 8 marked the day for the Helmville Community Fundraiser.

The ride was held on the Mannix-Wineglass Ranch a couple miles southeast of Helmville.

Both a five and ten mile loop in the foothills of Hoodoo Mountain were available to riders.

Cards were drawn and recorded at five separate stations along the trail.

Top adult hand was won by Eric Skelton, Ovando with 4-5's for $300, Second place hand was Michael Robbins, Seeley Lake with 4-3's for $200 and Roberta Pihl, Vaughn, had third place hand for $100 with 3 Jacks and 2-6's. Low hand of 6-5-4-3-2 was dealt to and won by Holly Hamilton from Simms.

Youth winners were:

First place: Levi Boyd 3 aces, 2-9's, winning a headstall made by Western Rising Leather Co.

Second place: Kenzie Baker, Helmville 3-9's and 2- 10's, won a set of split reins made by Western Rising Leather Co.

Third place: Katie Pihl tied with Alison Skelton with 3-2's, won silk scarves made by Kate Mannix.

Seventeen kids participated.

The idea for a poker ride came up in 2020 during the pandemic. The Turkey Shoot had lost favor with community members because it was a lot of work to prepare and serve potluck dinner to 200 or more people.

"In the 1990's a poker ride was held a few times near Helmville and people really enjoyed it. The fact that it allows for social distancing was appealing," said Poker Ride organizer Kate Mannix. "We want people to come out and have fun."

Michael Robbins, Seeley Lake is the brains of the operation, said Mannix. Robbins has helped organize Poker Runs in Seeley Lake for over 15 years and used to have a card dealer's license in Montana.

Participants came from as far away as Great Falls, Helena and Kalispell.

Comments included, "It's a well put together ride", "What a great day out with friends" and "We had a fun and great day."

"The Poker Ride is a good fit for the community," said fellow organizer Stacey Mannix. "Everyone likes to be outside and be together. Plus less workers and prep is required than the Turkey Shoot."

After the ride was over, the parking lot at the Copper Queen was filled with horse trailers as participants met for food, door prize drawings and awards.

A Turkey shoot has been the traditional Fall fundraiser for the Helmville Community Club from the 1940's – 2015 and included target practice with a live turkey in a crate with a hole for it to lift it's head out.

Over the years, frozen turkeys were substituted as prizes for successful target shooting, throwing dice and playing horseshoes.

The Helmville Community Club fundraisers pay the expenses of maintaining the Helmville Community Hall. Other fundraisers include the Invitational Basketball Tournament and the Rodeo Concession stand. Expected earnings from the Poker ride, after expenses, will be around $3,000.

According to Kate Mannix, the future plans for the Poker Ride are for other ranches in the Helmville-Ovando area to host the ride so that riders can see other aspects of the valley.

Past participants will be notified by email for next years' event and interested people may contact Mannix at kaclyatt@gmail.com.