Jessie Franich named 2023 Morgan County Fair Grand Marshal

Jessie Kilburn Franich, a born-and-raised Morgan County resident who has taught horse 4-H for over 40 years and started the Fair Wrangler contest 25 years ago and still runs it today, has been named the 2023 Morgan County Fair Grand Marshal.   When asked how she felt when she found out she was chosen as the Grand Marshal, Franich said she was “surprised” and then continued with her characteristic honesty and self-deprecating humor: “I think they scraped the barrel, and my name floated to the top!”

Despite Franich’s humility, her record of accomplishments and volunteerism in Morgan County speaks for itself and makes her a more than worthy nominee for the position of Grand Marshal.  

As the 42-year-leader and founder of “The Wet Blankets Horse 4-H Club,” Franich has trained many of the horsemen and women in the county.  Known by the moniker, “Your Fearless Leader,” Franich is famous for one-liners that according to her daughter, Rana, “haunt the fairgrounds.”  

“Cowboy UP or wear your PINK nylons.”

“Loosen your reins a little bit, sit-up straight, pull your feet back, get your heels down, tighten your reins!”

“What lead are you on?  Kick her up and MAKE HER GO!”

“Get off that horse’s mouth….you’re telling him ‘WHOA GO!’”

And finally…”Stop making fun of the way I get on my mule…I’d like to see the way you do it when you get to be my age!”  Franich loves her mule, Amos, sometimes called “Famous Amos,” and she wanted to let everyone know she will be riding him in the fair parade.  

Franich was born in 1941 in Porterville to Jesse and Thelma Kilburn.  She has one younger brother, Thayne Kilburn, who was born on her birthday the day she turned 12.  Franich was raised in and still resides in Porterville.  In 1971, she married Matt Franich, and they have four children: Mike Warner, Marnie, Rana and Torrey Franich.  She also has four grandchildren: Shea, Ciera, Lane and Ayden.  

When Franich was a child she began riding bareback on an old horse named Silver.  Exploits of her riding adventures include trick riding bareback, attempting to jump bales of hay in the field, cliff jumping old Silver off a 25-foot ledge into East Canyon Dam, and taking some “city slicker” on a ridiculously scary trail ride through some of the most treacherous terrain Hardscrabble Canyon has to offer and then secretly laughing whenever her company would ask if they were “really going to go down that.”  

In 1957 at the age of 15, Franich first rode in a saddle.  She borrowed a saddle to teach herself how to ride in one, so she could try out for the Morgala Days Queen Contest. Up to that point, she had always ridden bareback. Franich ended up winning and was crowned Morgala Days Queen that year.

Franich selflessly shares her knowledge of horses with children of the Morgan community.  For 42 years she has volunteered to lead a horse 4-H group.  When her kids were old enough to begin 4-H, she started “The Wet Blankets Horse 4-H Club” which she still leads today.

At the end of every riding season she says, “I think this is going to be my last year.”

Her kids in the club always remind her “It’s been your last year for the past 10 years —you can’t quit!”  

Daughter Rana shared, “To say mom is competitive would be an understatement. Her passion for winning is infectious. She truly cares about the future of our youth, and it shows in the members of her 4-H group. She will do whatever it takes to help her kids develop a winning mindset first, followed-up with a winning skill set in their riding abilities. She’s always said, ‘If you’re not winning, you’re not having fun’.”

In addition to leading her 4-H Club, Franich started the Fair Wrangler Contest 25 years ago in 1998.  This contest is for boys in the community ages 7-18. It involves taking a test on horse- and rodeo-related topics, roping a calf, riding a set pattern,  giving a five-minute speech, answering an impromptu question, completing a one-on-two interview with the judges, and joining the other contestants and their families for a luncheon.  Many told Franich that the Wrangler contest wouldn’t succeed, but she continues to  prove them wrong year after year.  

Franich’s determination and hard work have led to success throughout her life, and the Morgan community has been the beneficiary of the majority of her volunteer activities.  In the late 1990s, she was named the first female Commander of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Posse. During this role, the Sheriff’s Posse competed in an annual race against the Weber County Sheriff’s Posse.  Weber County had won this race for 50 years in a row. Riding her thoroughbred race horse, Siscat, Jessie helped Morgan take the victory for the first time in history!

She and her husband Matt also rode in the Miltahna’s Posse during the Morgala Days Rodeo.

For 15 years, Franich was an EMT and rode on the Morgan County Ambulance Crew. During that time, she also taught First Aid and CPR to Morgan High students. 

Franich is currently the County DUP (Daughters of Utah Pioneers) Captain and has also been the DUP Camp Captain. She is a proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and currently serves as 2nd Counselor in the Primary for the 6th Ward.

Franich loves her pioneer history, and between the ages of 70 and 80, she participated in three Mormon Treks and did the women’s pull in all three! 

Franich doesn’t let her age determine what she achieves in life.  Her daughter recalled. “At a time when most people her age were either retiring or getting ready to retire, Jessie decided it was time to get her CDL and drive a truck. She and her son, Torrey, did a couple of long haul over-the-road gigs during the winter season, and both decided that wasn’t the career for them. After a couple of dump truck jobs, Jessie landed at Salt Lake County where she drove for 20 years, finally calling quits at age 75.”

Rana also writes “Mom still works around her house like she’s in her 20’s, and all five feet of her still rides her 16-hand-high mule, Amos, like a BOSS!!! Just because she’s retired, doesn’t mean she’s slowed down at all.”

 Her daughter always teases her that Franich gets her CrossFit workout in before 8 o’clock in the morning feeding and watering her mules and the other “various, random critters that come around.”

Franich is truly grateful for her health and to still be able to do all of the things she enjoys doing. When asked her secret for staying healthy, she says she owes it to “Dr. Pepper, Doritos, and good old-fashioned hard work.”

Franich is thankful to everyone who has helped her along the way. Daughter Rana concludes, “Morgan County has been good to her, and Franich is honored to add Grand Marshal to her long and rewarding legacy.”

*Many quotes in this article are taken from the official Grand Marshal Biography on The Morgan County Fair website written by Rana, Jessie’s daughter.  Quotes are used with permission.  λ