The Harrington and Hirschy Families

The Harrington and Hirschy Families

Don Harrington of Butte and Dillon, MT was honored by the AQHA in 2013 with the 50 Year Breeder Award.  This award is presented to AQHA breeders that have registered at least one colt per year for 50 consecutive years.  Don and his family have raised horses that are successful ranch, pleasure, and arena horses.  They currently stand stallions by Nu Cash, Peptos Stylish Oak, Oklahoma Fuel, and Doc O Dynamite.  Past sires were by Paddys Irish Whiskey, Doc O Dynamite, First Down Dash, and Peppy Isle, to name a few.  They raise horses with good feet and bone, athleticism, disposition, and conformation.  Foals are born in May and June after wet spring storms go through the high altitude country they are raised in.  Don passed his love for horses on to his children, Mark & Lynn, who carry on his breeding program.

The Hirschy Ranch of Jackson, MT, homesteaded in 1894 in the picturesque Big Hole Valley of southwestern Montana.  The ranch is currently worked by the 4th and 5th generation of Fred and Lynn Harrington-Hirschy and their 3 daughters, Murphy, Brooke and Cate.  All of the cattle work is done on horses they raise.  After learning to work on the ranch, many of the horses advance to the arena as rope, steer wrestling, and barrel racing horses.  Their ranch-raised horses have been successful in the arena qualifying for the National High School Finals, College National Finals, World Series of Roping Finals, as well as in the PRCA & WPRA.  

Ray Hunt put on annual clinics at the Hirschy Ranch dating back to the early 1970’s.  He often lengthened his stay after the clinic so he could move cattle and help at the ranch.  It is a pleasure to see Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance’s horsemanship continue, as the Harrington and Hirschy Ranches have donated colts to the Montana State University Equine Program & Sale in Bozeman, MT, the University of Montana-Western Natural Horsemanship Program and Sale in Dillon, MT, and the Treasure Valley Community College Equine Program in Ontario, OR.  Horses from the Harrington Hirschy program were also featured in the 2017 A Legacy of Legends Horsemanship Clinic in Fort Worth, which focuses on training in the styles of Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance. 

Our family shares a great passion for our horses, ranching, and the western way of life.  We hope you enjoy visiting our website!

~Fred, Lynn, Murphy, Brooke, and Cate Hirschy, and Tyler Hedrick

~Shirley, Mark, and Barb Harrington

Cowboy Up

“Horseman” and “Cowboy” 

are titles of great respect.

They must never be abused

by a moment of neglect. 

One unguarded instant

with tongue, spur, or quirt

can cause disgrace and pain

and everlasting hurt. 

Become a better person. 

Saddle up with Pride. 

Live each day the “Cowboy Way”

Be a partner on life’s ride. 

~Author Unknow

Don Harrington announcing horseback at the Calgary Stampede. Don is the only announcer to have announced the NFR, the CNFR, and the NHSFR in the same year.

The Hirschy family, Fred, Lynn, Murphy, Brooke, Cate, and Tyler Hedrick
(only 1/3 of the dogs are pictured)
Don and Shirley Harrington attending the annual “Cowboy Ball” fundraiser for the University of Montana Rodeo Team with their granddaughter Murphy Hirschy. Don was one of the founding members of the University of Montana Rodeo Team and competed for the Grizzlies.