1300-mile Chief Joseph Trail ride to Bear Paw Battlefield completes 52nd year
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Steve Edwards
Locals may recognize Eric Tilleman, a graduate of Chinook High and now an ag teacher in Cascade, Montana. In 1990 trail ride officials asked Jack Gist, a local rancher, to bring his mobile picket system to handle horses in camp during the trail ride. Tilleman helped Gist, then later bought the picket system and still erects it for the rides. This is his 21st year on the ride.
Each year, since the mid-1960's, the Idaho-based Appaloosa Horse Club has been hosting the Chief Joseph Trail ride. The 1300-mile trip roughly follows the route taken by Chief Joseph as he guided several hundred Nez Perce tribal members in an attempt to reach Canada and avoid moving to a reservation. The organized trail ride takes 13 years to complete, with participants completing about 100 miles each year. This was the fourth time the last 100-mile leg, starting north of Roy, Montana and ending at the Bear Paw Battlefield south of Chinook, completed the trek. Next year's ride will begin in Jo...
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