Two legendary horsemen are going to be in the same city for the first time in two decades. George Morris of the hunter and jumper style and Buck Brannaman of the vaquero style are each doing a clinic in Kalispell and on Friday night, July 27, they will partner up at the Majestic Valley Arena to discuss classical riding, horsemanship and questions from the audience.

Getting these two masters in the same place may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for residents of the Flathead. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and tickets will be sold for $20 at the door.

“These are two of the finest horsemen of this generation. They are the best of the best in their worlds,” said Dave Gamble of Standing Heart Ranch near Whitefish. “This is a chance for people to come and listen to teachers at the highest level who are fully committed to the horse.”

Cowboy work and hunter/jumper competition are vastly different, but for both of these teachers the horse is the common ground. Their goal is the betterment of the horse in the respective kinds of work they do. They want horses that are grounded in the fundamentals, who are centered and peaceful no matter their environment or what kind of work they are asked to do.

“There are people coming from Italy for this, from Texas, Nevada, Maryland, California, Georgia,” said Gamble. “I’ve talked with a dad who wants to bring his kids out for this — they have completely rearranged their summer vacation plans in order to be here. You can’t get these guys in the same state, let alone within five minutes of each other.”

For locals, Gamble said, this is an unprecedented opportunity for anyone who rides or owns a horse. “This is an education opportunity you might never be able to get anywhere else,” said Gamble. “When you are handed an opportunity like this, you have to share it. This is an opportunity to make life better for any owner and any horse, how can I not share that?”

“I want people to come and listen, to ask questions,” said Gamble.

“Just think of it: a horse is both a friend and a partner. Any rider can work to make that a better friendship, a stronger partnership. The horses give us so much, if a person learns one new thing that makes life better for their horse, that’s worth everything.”

George Morris will be conducting a workshop at Larkspur Farm organized by Bryna Closson July 27-29. During the same days Buck Brannaman will hold a horsemanship clinic at the Majestic Valley Arena sponsored by Shayne Jackson and Dave Gamble.