Griz-wrangler headed to David Letterman Show

A wrangler who stopped a grizzly bear that charged a boy on horseback this summer is heading for the David Letterman Show next week - along with her horse.

Erin Bolster, of Swan Mountain Outfitters, was leading an excursion on the Flathead National Forest behind the Rawhide Restaurant on July 30 when the leisurely trip was abruptly interrupted by a grizzly bear that chased a white-tailed buck right into midst of the horse riders.

Many of the horses started running toward the barn at the sight of the charging bear, Swan Mountain Outfitters vice president Aubrie Loroña said at the time. But one horse with an eight-year-old boy on board headed in the opposite direction, and the grizzly bear, which had lost the deer, turned its attention to the boy's horse.

Bolster quickly put her horse, Tonk, between the bear and the boy, screaming and yelling at the charging grizzly, which thought better and finally ran away.

The story, which first appeared in the Hungry Horse News, made its way to the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., the Associated Press and social media outlets. Now it's taken on a life of its own.

Since the incident, Bolster has purchased Tonk, a Percheron, from the leasing company that provided the steed to Swan Mountain Outfitters, and donations are coming in to help feed and take care of the horse.

Tonk will get five-star treatment as he's transported from Montana to New York, with a break every three hours. He's used to long rides - he used to ride in a trailer for 10 hours to winter pasture in Wyoming, so a ride to New York with frequent stops will be almost blissful, Loroña noted.

Bolster is expected to appear on Letterman on Oct. 11 or 12, Loroña said.

The story may be close to Letterman's heart. He owns a ranch outside of Choteau.