The Tooke Legacy
- April 25, 2018
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- Savanna Simmons
Posted in: Featured, Rodeo, Uncategorized
The Tooke family, of Ekalaka, Montana, has been producing quality bucking horses for more than half a century, and their hard work passed down through generations is being highlighted in a film Feek’s Vision being released at the 2018 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. For a story about Feek’s Vision for Tri-State Livestock News, Feek’s great-grandson Toby sent me more amazing photos than we could possibly squeeze in the pages of TSLN, so I wanted to share them here with you.
They’re incredible old photos that are well-documented by Thelma Tooke, Feek’s wife. Their son and Toby’s grandpa Ernest sadly just passed away April 3, 2018, so honoring the family and their legacy just feels right.
Alvin Tescher, Doug Linderman, Feek Tooke, Jim Tescher, Bill Linderman, and Dean Armstrong at Dickinson, ND, in 1949.
Gray Wolf in 1975 on the Tooke Ranch, sired by General Custer. Was inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame for his contribution genetically in 2016
Gray Wolf throwing Jim Tescher at the 1962 Miles City Bucking Horse sale. Tescher hadn’t been on the ground in two years.
Snowflake at the Tooke Ranch in 1946
Feek & Thelma Tooke shortly after their wedding
Feek with King Larrygo fresh off the rail in Baker, MT, in 1943
Ernest and Feek Tooke on the ranch in 1963 (photo credit Thelma Tooke)
Feek Tooke at the 1968 NFR in Oklahoma City receiving an award for 1967 Top NFR Saddle Bronc, Sheep Mountain. He died after exiting the arena. (photo credit Unknown)
Tooke bucking horses at the ranch being watched by one of Feek’s hands
John Gee on Born to Buck, who was by Prince. Born to Buck was sold to Casey Tibbs, and appeared in his film with the same title.
Tooke’s current standout saddle bronc, Four Roses
Some of the Tooke horses today on the ranch outside of Ekalaka (photo credit by Bronc Riding Nation)
Posted in: Featured, Rodeo, Uncategorized
About Savanna Simmons
I'm Savanna Simmons and I live north of Lusk, Wyoming, on the Four Three Ranch with my husband Boe and our sons, Brindle and Roan. I grew up evolving my horsemanship with clinicians like Ray Hunt, Joe Wolter, and Jack Brainard, but not within a...