Feek's Vision film release moved to 2019

Challenges in fundraising have led to an adjusted timeline for the release of what may be the most anticipated rodeo film in recent history. Feek's Vision, a revealing new documentary about Chandler Earl "Feek" Tooke and his founding of one of rodeo's most influential bucking horse bloodlines, is an original work by filmmaker Ken Howie (Special Cowboy Moments, Hardship to Freedom).

In the 1930s, Tooke foresaw the end of the availability of wild horses as rodeo stock and envisioned a program for breeding horses with a strong propensity to buck. Nearly a century later, it's believed that over 90 percent of today's top bucking horse stock can be traced back to the original Tooke ranch. Recognizing the significance of the 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.

"This film has developed a life of its own," explained Howie. "As word has gotten around the community, the energy is still building, and people are emerging with more to add to the story of Feek Tooke. While this December 7th is still a significant date for premiering material from this film, the latter half of 2019 is a realistic expectation for the finished film. I still need footage that I won't be able to get until after this year's Wrangler National Finals Rodeo."

In the film, rodeo champions such as Larry Mahan, Deb Copenhaver, Clint Johnson, Dan Mortenson, Brad Gjermundson 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. 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.

The December 2018 events at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, celebrating the release of Feek's Vision and honoring Feek Tooke on the 50th anniversary of his death, will take place as planned. Now dubbed the Exclusive Feek's Vision Preview, attendees will get a look at the film in-progress as well as raw interview footage from which select cuts will be made for the completed film. Said Howie, "We are meeting new people every week, with more great stories and links to open ended research. The energy of the Tooke bloodline is flowing into the production of this documentary. It will be fun to share preview content, this December."

To date, film production has been fueled by private donations. "The new estimated completion date allows us to maintain the standard set for Feek's Vision, and to continue our fundraising efforts," said Theresa Howie, the film's producer. "The audience for the film is immense," she said. "Rodeo fans in the United States alone are estimated to total over 43 million. Feek's Vision is already slated for national television airing, theater screenings, rodeos, cowboy and rodeo Hall of Fame presentations and film festivals through 2020, offering outstanding visibility for national and regional sponsors."

"We've appreciated the understanding of the waiting audience and fans of the Tooke Bucking Horses," Ken Howie said. "The decision to move the release was a difficult one. But with a story this important, we know it's the right thing to do."

The Orleans Hotel & Casino will be the exclusive venue for previewing Feek's Vision during the week of the NFR. In addition to the Exclusive Preview on December 7th, public presentations will take place at The Orleans at 2:00pm on December 9th, 12th and 13th. Find more information at feeksvision.com. Interested sponsors, please call Theresa Howie at (701) 495-1705.