A novel Flathead business looks to bring the joy of animals – alcohol included – to private events this summer.  

Whitefish resident Lindsay Jean recently started a new business centered on “beverage burros.” The concept is to loan fluffy, adorable donkeys, guided by a handler and saddled up with drinks of choice, for private events across the valley. 

“Animals are healers,” Jean said. “For me, they’ve brought so much happiness into my life. They just have huge hearts and make every situation better. And animals love people too – and that’s why I do it – to spread joy.”  

Lindsey Jean started riding when she was 6 years old and has been a professional horse trainer and competitor for much of her life.  

“Going to the barn as a kid was my safe space,” Jean said. “The animals were so kind and loving in dark times.” 

Burned out on a career of intense horse training and various corporate gigs, Jean pursued the new business called “Montana Luxe Events” in hopes that it would help create events that people dream of.  

“I just wanted to spend more time with my animals. And I’m a hopeless romantic, but I have no ‘wedding’ skills. But I have animal skills,” she said.  

Jean’s sister donkeys are named Intrigue and Rumor, although they’ve earned many endearing nicknames from friends at their shared home on a Bigfork ranch, including Frick and Frack, Sangria and Brandy, Thing One and Thing Two, and Chocolate and Vanilla.  

Jean said the donkeys were rescues and she has put a lot of work into training them. She said she has to turn down inquiries for events sometimes because she is, "loyal to them, and very grateful that they trust me to do all these new endeavors with them." Jean also often coordinates with other vendors such as bartenders and photographers to ensure the donkeys are ready for events.*

For horse lovers and luxury seekers, people can also reserve time with Jean’s beloved horses: Lyssa, a purebred Friesian imported from Holland; Savi, a half Arabian, half Friesian bay, or Sherlock, a sorrel and white paint horse.  

For more information see montanaluxeevents.com.

*Clarification: Details have been clarified on event preparation and coordination. 

    Lindsey Jean's Friesian, Lyssa, at a ranch in Bigfork. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    A friendly bartending burro. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)