280 riders competing in O-Mok-See

Although only 8 years old, Morgan McGilvary already is a seasoned O-Mok-See veteran.

She's been on horseback for nearly as long as she can walk and competed in her first O-Mok-See games - holding tight to the saddle horn while one of her parents led her horse through the arena - when she was a year and a half old. A few years later, she ditched the lead rope and began competing on her own.

This weekend, she and her 17-year-old quarter horse, Mighty Joe, are riding in the state O-Mok-See championship at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. About 280 riders from across Montana are participating in the racing games, which include pole bending, speed barrels and other fast games on horseback.

O-Mok-See is a Blackfeet word meaning "riding big dance." The extreme racing games have evolved from American Indian traditional warrior games into popular family events.

Morgan's entire family is competing in the state championship this weekend and has been traveling to O-Mok-See competitions throughout the spring and summer.

"It's a real family event," said Morgan's mother, Debbie McGilvary. "That's how we got involved with it; someone told us what a good family activity it is."

Her husband, Mike, is president of Smith Valley Saddle Club, which is hosting the games. The state competition is a sort of warm-up for the 2010 national O-Mok-See games, which Smith Valley Saddle Club also will host, Debbie McGilvary said.

This year's national games, which were held in Colorado in July, saw fewer riders than usual, she said. High gas prices likely deterred some competitors; Mike McGilvary said the economy discouraged some Billings riders from competing this weekend.

"Gas is hurting everybody, including the games," he said.

It is expensive to haul horse trailers to the different competitions, he acknowledged, but the memories made competing, traveling and camping as a family are priceless.

"We just do it for the kids," he said. "My wife and I will die poor, but at least we'll know where our kids are."

The McGilvary parents typically don't compete in the games, Debbie said. They're too busy making sure Morgan and her older sister, Katie, 13, are ready for their events. A lot of time at O-Mok-See competitions is "hurry up and wait," Debbie said; riders rush to get their horses ready and line up, then wait for their heats to compete.

Mike and Debbie decided to compete at state, however, to show their support for the games and their saddle club.

"It's only the second time we've ridden this year," Debbie McGilvary said. "We wanted to do it for the club, and because it's fun."

There are about 40 or 50 O-Mok-See games, she said. Some are required at the state competitions. Others are purely for fun.

Morgan's favorite is national flag, in which she rides Joe to the end of the arena, where a flag is in a coffee can atop a barrel. The rider has to grab the flag and race back. Often there's candy waiting inside the can for the games' young riders.

All four McGilvaries competed in the state meet's first game Saturday: pole bending. Riders race to the end of the arena, weave their horses in and out of a line of poles and race back. Riders are disqualified if their horses knock over a pole or if they enter another competitor's lane.

Morgan had a clean ride and finished in about 42 seconds - about the same time her mother clocked.

Watching the children grow as riders and competitors is one of the best things about the games, Mike McGilvary said.

"They grow from the lead line to going faster than mom and dad," he said.

The top 10 competitors in each age group are recognized, Debbie McGilvary said. Age groups are younger than 8, 8 to 11, 12 to 15, women 16 to 30, women 31 to 45, women 46 and older, men 16 to 39, and men 40 and older.

The games continue today, beginning at 8 a.m. The event will last from 4 to 6 p.m., with an awards ceremony beginning at about 7 p.m.

Admission is free. Concessions are available at the fairgrounds.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.