[Cyn]

This looks interesting to me...


The Western States Mustang Challenge comes to the Expo for the first time June 6-8 and will feature 30 top horsemen and women and their previously wild American Mustangs.

The Western States Mustang Challenge is the progeny of the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover held in September 2007, which focused on 100 trainers gentling 100 American Mustangs in 100 days. Challenge trainers will have 90 days to gentle their Mustangs and the trained mustangs will be judged on conditioning, groundwork, and a "Horse Course" that requires maneuvers and includes obstacles found in trail and recreational riding situations. Mustang mares and geldings ranging in age from three to four years old will be available for adoption on June 8.

Even though the animals will have been handled and trained, the same adoptions conditions that accompany any Bureau of Land Management adoption will apply for the new owner when the animal is adopted.

Potential adopters will apply for the opportunity to be included in the competitive bidding process at the event with BLM personnel available to review and approve the application on site. In order to apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and be able to demonstrate that adequate housing, food, water and facilities will be available to humanely care for the animal. Specific facility requirements also apply that pertain to type and height of fencing, as well as shelter from the elements.
Adopted horses remain with the adopter for one year before “title” of ownership is provided from the BLM. For full adoption requirements and information, go to http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/adoption.htm

“This event will be a real treat for any horse lover, whether they plan to adopt or not,” said Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director Patti Colbert. “Seeing how well these animals respond to training and handling after only 100 days is something the public has never seen before, let alone having the chance to own the horse. This is absolutely something not to be missed.”

Additional Challenge events are being held in April at the Midwest Hors Fair in Madison, Wis., and August at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas. The highlight of the year will be the $50,000 Extreme Mustang Makeover featuring 200 wild Mustangs and their trainers in Fort Worth, Texas, September 18-21


http://www.horsexpo.com/html/eventsmust.html

[bnttyra]

They did the same thing last year, I believe the event was in September. The trainer I use finished 26th last year. Good guy but more interested in training that mustang then my mare! More money involved with the mustang.

[kewpalace]

This event is a little different from the EMM - it's alot smaller, only 30 trainers and the horses are definitely smaller! All the trainers have been picked and have picked up their mustangs. Trainer list is here: http://www.horsexpo.com/MustangTrainers021408.pdf

My trainer, Matt Sheridan (http://www.mattsheridan.net), is one of the trainers in it! WooHoo!! Here's a pix of his mustang, Luna:



And with Matt:


There are more pix on his website.

Should be a fun event - I'm hoping to scope out some of the other trainers and their mustangs before the event - see what Matt is up against, LOL.

Some of the other trainers' blogs/websites are here:

Angi Keitel http://Angismustang.blogspot.com
Charles Wilhelm http://www.charleswilhelm.com/
Dixie LaFountain http://dixiesmustangs.wordpress.com/
Gavin and Joe Misner http://mustangchallange-gavinjoe.blogspot.com/
Jamie Thomas http://emm-jtjedi.blogspot.com/
Janet Titus (is going to make one ;D)
Jenna Nelson http://Miaspony.blogspot.com
Matt Sheridan http://www.mattsheridan.net/trainingservices.htm
Rachel Thorp http://www.luckytidaho.com/
Steve Boyles http://www.steveboyles.com/index.html
Tracy Westbury http://mustangdiaries.blogspot.com/

[bnttyra]

Well good luck to your trainer! I hope he does well!!

[kewpalace]

Originally Posted by bnttyra

Well good luck to your trainer! I hope he does well!!

Thanks! I hope so too. He's done ALOT for my horse and me. He actually started my mare (she's on his Website ) and then had to train me to actually ride (I was a "backyard rider" only, LOL, and he taught my mare ALOT). I really like how patient he is with the horses & people. He's had experience handling mustangs, in his younger Nevada buckaroo days ! So hopefully he'll do good! Thanks again for the good wishes!

[Artrageous]

Dangit, how come they never have these in Oregon? If they did, I could go!

[kewpalace]

Originally Posted by Artrageous

Dangit, how come they never have these in Oregon? If they did, I could go!

There are a couple of OR trainers in the competition: Corrine Elser, Harry Schneider, Shelley Simmons & Matt Eric Zimmerman. You shoud come and support them!!!

[wyldterv]

I'll try to watch some of this when I'm down there , there is SOOOO much to cram into 3 days, EEEK, lol

[mustang_dodger]

they are doing one of these next month at the midwest horse fair.

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by mustang_dodger

they are doing one of these next month at the midwest horse fair.

Yes one of my advertising clients, Rueben Villasenor, is driving from WA state to attend it... I saw his 'stang' in February at the Hands On Horses event in Vancovuer, WA... I think they get them for a total of 3 months before the competition?