Legacy INDUCTEE

MAJESTIC VALLEY ARENA (EST 2002)

DISTRICT 10 - YEAR 2026

Officially named Gleann Maorgain (Glenn Morgan) in Gaelic but doing business as the Majestic Valley Arena. A description of the setting for this premier equestrian and event center in Northwest Montana could not be more appropriate. The facility, located between Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana commands a breathtaking view overlooking the Mission Mountains and Glacier National Park.

Majestic Valley Arena is an indoor facility that grew from an impassioned commitment of Bob and Jan Parker to the Flathead Valley and, more specifically, to the youth, where equestrian and community events could be held year-round.

Bob was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1950. His family relocated to Pueblo, Colorado prior to his first birthday due to his step-father’s employment as an electrical engineer for an agency of the U.S. Government. Raised primarily in Pueblo, Bob and his family relocated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in his sophomore year of high school, following his step-father’s new job assignment. Shortly after he graduated from Escola Americana Bob’s family was once again relocated, this time to the northern plains of North Dakota. While there, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served as an air traffic controller at Buckley Air National Guard in Denver, Colorado from 1969 until 1972. 

Upon his discharge from the military Bob followed family connections to Billings, Montana where he worked in plumbing and pipe fitting, becoming a Master Plumber in 1978. After moving to the Flathead Valley in 1978 he established his own company in 1983 providing plumbing and mechanical services.

Jan was born in New York City and lived in several places including stops in Chicago, Illinois and Orlando, Florida before making the trek to Montana, in 1999, to help a friend with a home renovation. While she was involved in the home renovation project she met Bob and they have been together ever since. 

The concept for the Majestic Valley Arena grew partly out of Bob’s passion for the sport of team roping. After losing access to several different indoor roping arenas, a sure necessity during Montana’s long cold winters, Bob and Jan discussed the idea of building a facility in the Flathead. With the nearest suitable building in Pasco, Washington, the idea seemed like a logical next step. With the assistance of a local veterinarian, Dr. John Erfle, the Flathead Equestrian Foundation, and a local realtor, an 80 acre parcel, 40 of which were zoned agricultural, was located along Montana Highway 93. Following the due diligence of Dr Erfle and the Flathead Equestrian Foundation, the property was purchased in 2000, and the contract for construction was signed in a year later. 

Prior to the start of construction Bob called upon a friend from the Blackfeet Nation to travel to the location of the property and bless the four corners of the land. During the blessing ceremony the tribal member identified an area on the site that did not symbolize positive energy. Concurrently the sky clouded over and the wind began to blow intensely. Following completion of the necessary cleansing ceremonies, the sky quickly cleared, and the wind stopped. With the blessing ceremony completed, honor was shown through celebration of a tribal Victory Dance. The first event in the new facility was a celebration for Miss Rodeo Montana held on April 4, 2002.

The arena has a seating capacity of 2600 and an approved occupancy of 11,000. The largest attendance, to date, has been 8500 attendees for a high school graduation.

Majestic Valley Arena has hosted a wide variety of equine events including internationally recognized equestrian clinicians Buck Brannaman and Clinton Anderson. Well-known entertainers including Matina McBride, Travis Tritt, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins and Blake Shelton have performed there as well.

Among the many other events hosted by the “Majestic” are the Montana High School Rodeo Finals (most recently, the 2nd year of a five year contract), Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, the Shriner’s Circus, Northwest Team Penning and Sorting Association, Montana Reined Cow Horse Association, Northern Rodeo Association Finals, Montana Reining Horse Association, 2020 Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals, the yearly 17-event Brash Rodeo Winter Series, Rodeo Family Relief Fund, church services and a number of additional community events, such as the Holiday Extravaganza which welcomes a large attendance and is loved by the community. 

This outstanding structural icon continues to attract contestants and spectators from throughout the United States and Canada year-round.

Under the guidance of Bob and Jan, the Majestic Valley Arena contributes significantly to promoting and preserving the Western way of life, while providing countless opportunities for community members, young people of the Flathead Valley, and those across the great state of Montana.