EKALAKA, MT – A documentary by filmmaker Ken Howie, “Feek’s Vision” tells the story of the award-winning Tooke Bucking Horses.
The documentary will premiere in Montana this week and continue showing at various locations.
In the 1930s, C.E. “Feek” Tooke foresaw the end to the availability of renegade horses as rodeo stock and envisioned a program for breeding horses with a strong propensity to buck.
Recognizing the significance of Feek’s story, Howie was compelled to create a film that would capture this important rodeo history to be enjoyed by generations of rodeo fans and horse lovers, as well as students of genetics.
Steve Stone with the Bucking Horse Breeder’s Association recalled, “When we got started as an association, we knew we couldn’t start a bucking horse registry without the Tookes because they’re literally the foundation of this industry.”
Rodeo champions such as Larry Mahan, (recently passed) Deb Copenhaver, Clint Johnson, Dan Mortenson, and Ty Murray share stories and historical details about the Tooke Bucking Horses and their profound impact on the sport of rodeo.
Legendary stock contractors Harry Vold, Cotton Rosser and Mel Potter (Rodeo, Inc.), Matt Burch (Burch Rodeo), Sparky Dreesen (J Bar J) and Powder River Rodeo’s Franzen family share their testaments to Tooke bred horses, many still winning titles today.
“Without Feek Tooke and his bronc stallions, we wouldn’t have bucking horses. He was years ahead of his time,” was an observation made by Clem McSpadden, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Announcer.
Traveling thousands of miles to capture original footage, Howie brings revered rodeo legends to the screen, sharing memories of their matches against Tooke bred horses in the arena.
Feek’s Vision – Official Film Trailer from Ken Howie on Vimeo.
In a Facebook post, Toby Tooke, a great-grandson of Feek Tooke, who has amassed much of the Tooke history wrote, “As we approach the premiere of Feek’s Vision in Ekalaka May 13th…and then we unleash it on the rest of the world…so many emotions are running through me.
This project has allowed me to meet many of my heroes and rodeo legends. It is hard for me to comprehend when people say ‘You’re a Tooke? You are rodeo royalty!’ I will never get used to it, and I simply reply with ‘I just started a Facebook page to tell our story…Feek and Ernest are the ones who deserve all the credit with what they did with their horses.’
This journey we have had the highest of highs, and lowest of lows, but it has provided me with a few things I will carry with me to my forever.
1) I was born and raised in Ekalaka, I knew growing up it was special, but during Feek’s Vision I found out how amazing the place is with all of the support. There is no way in hell this gets done without everyone in the 59324.
2) How great the rodeo community is…from the contractors to the old-time roughies to the current cowboys to the PRCA. Anything I have needed to tell ‘our’ story has been a phone call away. Fifty-plus years after Feek died…people are still talking about him, and now that this film is done no one will forget him.
3) Learned a lot about myself…I lost both my grandparents during the making of ‘Feek’s Vision’…Ernest & Peg helped shape me into who I am. Both encouraged me to embrace history, that it’s good to listen and learn, they were two of the best teachers I have had. I miss them both so much, and wonder what they would think about how big this has gotten.”
See more information on the Tooke history and legacy at www.feekvision.com and on Facebook
SCREENINGS:
EKALAKA, MT: May 13, 2023, Carter County Grade School Gymnasium
5:00 pm Social & Introduction 6:00 pm Film Presentation Free Admission
MILES CITY, MT: May 18 & 19, 2023, Montana Theatre, Thursday – 7:00 pm, Friday – 11:00 am
BILLINGS, MT: May 26, 2023, The Pub Station Ballroom, Doors Open – 7:00 pm Showtime – 8:00 pm
BELFIELD, ND: June 2 Premiere, Belfield Theater
MARMARTH, ND: Mystic Theatre, 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm
NEW TOWN, ND: October 6, 2023, 4 Bears Casino & Lodge
2023/2024 FILM FESTIVALS
EQUUS International Film Festival
EQUUS Film Festival
Prescott Film Festival
