Newt Wright

Donald N "Newt" Wright, long-time horse trainer and farrier, passed away Sept. 21, 2009, in Bozeman, Mont., of a sudden illness.

Newt was active right up until the end, in fact he had been working horses the day before he was stricken with a virulent bacterial infection

Newt was born April 30.1935, at Hardin, Mont., to Maxon T. "Ted" Wright and Marian Castle Wright and grew up in several small towns in Montana and Wyoming.

He served in the army in post-war Korea.

Following his military service he attended farrier classes at California Poly Tech in San Luis Obispo. Later he was one of the instructors there. He spent time studying cattle genetics and range management while running his own cattle. He trained horses for all phases of ranch work as well as competed in working cow horse, cutting, reining and roping competitions. Horses he trained went on to win in the show arena and on the rodeo circuit for other riders.

Newt spent many years in Owyhee County in Idaho and several places in Oregon.

More recently he has divided his time between the Cave Creek/Scottsdale area of Arizona and Wilsall, Mont.

Newt is survived by daughter Courtney Chappell, Flagstaff, Ariz., son Newt Chappell, presently serving in Afghanistan, sister Dorothy "Dot" Wiggins of Eagle, Idaho, sister Micky Buddingh of Palm Desert, Calif., brother Jim Creach of Glendo Wyo., as well as several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by former wife, Annie Reynolds, Glenns Ferry, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents and former wife, Linda Phares Wright.

No services are planned at this time. A celebration of his life will be held later.

Newt's web site www.newtwright.com will be updated with information about gatherings in memory of Newt. Please visit his site and leave comments, stories, and remembrances. These will be compiled and shared at his celebration!