Lyle Limesand was 74 years old when his family started the Lyle Limesand Award.  He has never missed an Idaho State O-Mok-See.  He has loved good, fast horses his entire life and has always been mounted on a good horse with enough spitfire and spirit to amuse him while he went for a ride, whether it be in the games, or on the trail. 
            Lyle worked hard as a miner in the Silver Valley, so when he got home, he would saddle up his horse and go for a ride to get some fresh air and enjoy some sunshine, and his horse.  Lyle’s love of horse was inherited by his son, David, who would always accompany him for a ride.
            In 1955, Lyle started riding his good horses in game events in the Silver Valley just outside of Kellogg in Cataldo at Fleshman’s Farm.  It was there, that a group of horse friends would meet once a month while the weather was good and set-up the barrels and poles to see who had the fastest horse when timed with a stopwatch.  This group became the Shoshone Rangers Saddle Club.
            Lyle rode many horses  over the years in the games events, and knows that it takes a special horse to have the qualities it needs to make a good gaming horse.  Thunder, a chestnut mare, was Lyle’s first registered quarter horse.  Lyle trained  her for the games and she excelled in all of the events and won many highpoint awards for him.
            Over the years, Lyle and his two children, David and Darla, attended  O-Mok-Sees all over northern Idaho.  Their names were recognized by the other contestants as the ones to beat.  Wife Veda went along as camp cook, nurse and moral support.  Later, Lyle and David continued to dominate the games with their good horses.
            When Lyle became a grandpa, he took his grandkids along with him to the games and provided them with their own horses.  He taught them all he knew and was there for them when they won, or lost and made sure they were just having fun to put it all in perspective.  He always maintained a good sense humor and sportsmanship while enjoying his favorite sport.
            Now, the kids want Lyle’s name and personality to be remembered while horse people are enjoying the camaraderie and sportsmanship of O-Mok-See.  In 1998, they decided to dedicate the Lyle Limesand Award to the rider that competes both days and who achieves the fastest time overall age groups in a different event every year.
            The Limesand family sincerely wishes for all riders to be safe during each year’s events.  Enjoy your new and old friends, practice your sportsmanship and good humor, and appreciate that good horse you’re riding!