Mackinac Horsemen’s Association Hosts 25th Cowboy Cookout, Honors Timmons Family

During the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association’s 25th annual Cowboy Cookout Thursday, June 29, board president Steve Rilenge unveiled a new plaque at the Mackinac Community Equestrian Center that reads, “Timmons Family Legacy, Forever Thankful.” Six years earlier, Mr. Rilenge revealed a large sign titled the Anna May Timmons Education Center just a few feet away from the newest Timmons family tribute. The Timmons family gave donations that made the equestrian center possible. The barn wouldn’t be here without them, Mr. Rilenge said.

“We’ve always wanted to thank the Timmons family,” said Mr. Rilenge.

Throughout the cookout, horses and guests mingled among the barbecue and stables. Pulled pork sandwiches, baked potatoes, lots of barbeque sauce, and 13 apple pies lined the red and white checkered tablecloths as guests ate and chatted.

Three generations of the Timmons family, including Carol Rearick, her daughter and daughter-in-law Katie Rearick and Rachel Rearick, granddaughter Lillian Rearick, and niece Maura Timmons, were there for the unveiling of the new tribute plaque. The plaque was built by Sherri and Tim Plutchak and designed by Leanne Brodeur of the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association.

John Hulett (from left), Maura Timmons, Marie Hulett, Duane Ordakowski, and Betty BeDour.

“It’s very special,” Carol Rearick said. “We had an inkling it was coming.”

The plaque isn’t quite finished though, as Mr. Rilenge plans to add pictures along the etched-out tree branches of the Timmons family to tell their story.

“They are the most generous, gracious people I’ve ever known in my entire life, and if it wasn’t for them this barn would not be built,” Mr. Rilenge said.

He described how Marta Timmons, Maura Timmons’ mother and Carol Rearick’s sister, made mortgage payments on the Equestrian Center from 2011 until her passing in 2020, and continued them in her will. And one of the agreements they made for supporting the barn was requiring the equestrian center to host the 4-H program, which is why it’s still going strong today.

“[The equestrian center] is something we’ve supported for a very long time,” Carol Rearick said. “My granddaughter is enamored with horses, so [the cookout] is a perfect event for a soon-to-be two-yearold.”

The family spoke about how there are so many people, from young people growing up on the Island to cottagers and other residents, and the equestrian center gives them a chance to be part of the horse culture on the Island.

“I’ve always been involved in this place,” Maura Timmons said. “I pretty much grew up in this barn, as well as the other barns.”

The center is also the only educational horse facility on the Island, Maura Timmons said. There are other places to ride or rent horses and carriages, but the equestrian center is the only place to learn to really care for the horses, rather than just being a rider on one.

The Cowboy Cookout is the association’s annual membership fundraiser. Ms. Brodeur said that fundraisers like this are especially important for groups like the equestrian center that still haven’t quite recovered from the economic toll of the Covid-19 pandemic. The cookouts started to invite the community into the equestrian center, Ms. Brodeur said, and as a social activity to show off the center’s stables. It’s a small island, she said, and yet a lot of people still haven’t been to the stables. In addition to raising money, the cookout is one way to get others more involved in the community.

“You’d be surprised how many people hadn’t been up here,” she said.

As part of the association’s mission to preserve and protect the Island’s horse culture, Ms. Brodeur spoke about how it is important to combat misconceptions about the Island horses, and teach others that the horses are cared for, that they have a job, and that they are cherished community members.

Ms. Brodeur was also honored by Mackinac County 4-H Program Coordinator Tracie Abram for more than 25 years of service to the 4-H community.

“Thank you all. It’s all about the kids,” Ms. Brodeur said through tears, accepting a certificate.

On display throughout the center were old horse drawn carriages, further highlighting the unique horse culture on the Island. This year, the 25th Cowboy Cookout coincided with the 125th year of the Island’s ban on motor vehicles. This year will also be the inaugural Mackinac Day of the Horse Saturday, August 5, as declared by the Mackinac Island City Council earlier this year. Also on August 5 is the 54th Annual Mackinac Island Horse Show.

“It takes a lot to operate this place. We appreciate all your donations, anything you can do for us,” Mr. Rilenge said to the crowd. “If it wasn’t for you guys, we wouldn’t be here.”