LETTER: Paying tribute to Kesler's contribution

Our family’s first exposure to real rodeo at the Northwest Montana Fair in 1979 was certainly an eye-opener.

The cowboys and cowgirls were exciting, but the real stars were the Kesler family’s stock. Wow! Talk about broncs and bulls!

A few years later, we had the opportunity to catch Alley Cat and Painted Smile at the Calgary Stampede and weren’t surprised by their subsequent selections as PRCA Horse of the Year.

The overwhelming success of our county fair and rodeo in the years since owes a great deal to the top-shelf animal athletes hauled down from Alberta every August by Reg and Greg Kesler and to the first-tier cowboys they attract.

It would be fitting if Flathead County and residents could find a way to officially express our collective appreciation and condolences to the family.

Thanks, Greg. —Andy Palchak, Kalispell