MacDonald Performance Training

I'm a bit late getting this out this year. But here is the overarching show schedule like what I made last year (per multiple requests)! Of course, it only includes the shows/clinics we are directly interested in. I know there are a whole host of other shows and clinics that might pertain to our group of people - sorry I did not include them all! Other resources I know of include the MT Quarter Horse Association, Gallatin Valley Working Equitation group, Rocky Mountain Breeders Association, 406 Arena in Vaughn, Holloway's Cow Horses, and Gary Cooper Performance Horses.

Although we will not be hosting any clinics of our own throughout the summer, we are of course available for individual or group lessons, will try to schedule some regular cow practices, and are happy to help anyone at shows! Reach out or feel free to grab either of us at a show, as we both enjoy helping others anyway we can and just want to see people have fun and succeed!

Let's get this summer started and we hope everyone has a great and safe year!

I have had so many things to do this last week that I did not get a chance to sit down and write a "Thank You!" to the people that attended our clinic last weekend. We love doing these clinics and enjoy watching people succeed with their horses. Thank you, good luck and happy trails!

We have a few more spots available for our March 7th and 8th clinic. We will be covering both herd (cutting) and fence work with cattle. 9 AM start both days with generally wrapping up around 4. Lunch is provided. Call, text, or PM if you'd like to join. Thanks!

We are hosting our March cow clinic March 7th and 8th. Starting at 9 am daily, ending around 4, with a break for lunch and lunch is provided.

Tye generally covers reined work or flag work Saturday morning and then single cow or herd work Saturday afternoon. Depending on what the group wants, Sunday can be a repeat day or work cows all day.

$200 per day or $400 for the weekend. We limit the number of riders so everyone gets ample time on cattle.

*We are now requiring a $200 deposit upon sign up* (regardless if riding for a day or the full weekend).
*Refundable if you cancel 5 days prior to the event or if we are able to fill your spot if you cancel after the 5 day cutoff. Non-refundable if you cancel 48 hours prior to the clinic start. Thank you for understanding!

Good morning and happy new year! Year of the horse, so we are told!

Sorry to be so quiet on this page. We decided to “hunker down”, so it were, in December and take a slight step back from the push, push, push. Not to say that we aren’t still busy and don’t enjoy seeing all of you.

We’ve decided to set our next three clinic dates for the first weekend over the next three months. Those dates would be February 7th & 8th, March 7th & 8th, and April 4th & 5th. We are at $400/weekend or $200 a day. Lunch is included as always and since it’s Montana, clinics are weather and road dependent, if winter ever decides to show up. I will create “events” for these dates as we get closer, but wanted to get the word out now that we do plan to host clinics this spring again.

Other fun, horse related events to put on your calendar for this winter/spring and to keep you and your horse in shape for show season are:

— 406 Arena/North Country Stock Horse Association shows:
- Jan 17th,
- Feb 21st,
- Mar 21st,
- Apr 18th.

Entries for the Jan show are due this Wednesday (Jan 14th). This is a great VRH show with steer stoping included and while it doesn’t count towards the show, they also offer a herd work practice the Friday evening before each show.

— Steve and Alyssa Bond are hosting their winter cowhorse series again this year, and plan to have their shows
- Mar 14th,
- *potentially* Mar 28th,
- April 11th.

— For the cutters in our crowd, the Central Wyoming Cutting Horse Association is also offering a winter show series in Thermoplis, WY. Their show dates are
- Jan 17th,
- Feb 21st,
- Mar 21st.
They also have a “cowhorse” class, where reining may be used. So another good option for our cowhorse folks as well.

We are hoping to make some of these ourselves so maybe we will see you there!

Kicking off our winter clinic series here today with a great mix of repeat and new faces!

Last year everyone said I needed to post our lunch schedule too, which I didn’t know what I wanted to cook before but today we’re going to have a Chilean themed day with elk empanadas de pino, avocado and celery salad, and red onion and cucumber salad. To be followed by chocolate sheetcake prepared by Brian’s mom, Kathy (it takes a village!). Pictures of lunch to follow!

Tye and Nicole both got their hardware for the year from Central Montana Reined Cow Horse Association! Tye and Renaldo got a buckle from winning the Open Bridle Spectacular at the Forsyth Futurity. Nicole and Remy took 3rd in the year-end standings for the Level 1 Non-Pro Bridle! 🎉

We would like to extend our congratulations to both these stellar pairs on their performances. Pretty amazing what these four accomplished for not much time in the show pen (horses) and for her first year going down the fence (Nicole)! 🙌 Here's to hoping Remy finds a good home to help the next person or generation earn their stripes.

Sunday, November 16th clinic is full. We still have two riding spots open for Saturday the 15th! Come join the fun and learn lots.

Send a message to learn more

Hey all, Tye’s computer is out of commission for about a week which means he doesn’t have access to his personal page. If you sent him a message and are hoping to hear back or need to get ahold of him, message him here or call/text him directly. Thank you! Hopefully the computer will be up and running again soon.

We are a little sad we only have two more days with these nice mares before they head to the Billings Livestock Sale on Saturday.

Shiny Blue Mist, “Lizzy”, is a beautiful all-around type mare that would do well in VRH type shows or general pleasure riding. Alyson has really enjoyed riding Lizzy and hopes she goes to a good home that will enjoy her potential! She sells Saturday afternoon, hip 362.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9kmxTgEXRBk

Metallic Blue Angel, “Raven”, is a two-year-old by Metallic Malice. This is a special little filly with tons of potential. She has lots of cow that wants to work in position. She is flashy, happy, and catches everyone’s eye. We would love to keep her in our program and finish her as a cowhorse or cutter. She als says she would be a rope horse. She sells Saturday afternoon as hip 242.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=schMBmjxMZU

Both mares will be at the riding preview Friday afternoon at Miller’s Pavilion and Saturday morning before the sale at the BLS arena. Come look for us there! And no worries if you don’t plan to come in person. Both will be available through the on-line auction as well!

We wrapped up the end of the show season last week at the NILE and got to show in the Metra for the first time. While the reining and cow scores didn’t quite reflect the show we had hoped for, this little stallion’s quiet demeanor shown through and he added another $400 to his LTE with it only being his second show, now being a money earner both times out.

We would like to thank Starlight Performance Horses for entrusting us with the training and showing of their future herd stallion and to David Hollenback Photography and Cowgirl Captures Photography for capturing the moments this guy shown. ✨

Also, check out that first photo for one spicey steer!