Extreme Mustang Makeover Returns to Texas; Adds Tennessee
Equestrian News Release
Estimated total purse of $40,000 offered
Bertram, Texas, January 15, 2009 - After placing more than 300 mustangs for adoption at its 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, Tex., the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) hopes to equal that number, but divide the wealth between two key locations in 2009. Fans and potential trainers of the event will now be able to see that action in both Fort Worth, Tex., September 18-20 and in Murfreesboro, Tenn., October 23-25.
“There will actually be a total of 10 Extreme Mustang Makeover events in 2009,” said MHF Executive Director Patti Colbert and visionary of the events. “Most of the events throughout the year will include 35 to 50 horses. Our fans, however, have to come to expect a big finish each year with a larger number of horses available so we’re bringing that back but at the same time are addressing the comments we’ve received to have a competition in the eastern region of the country.”
Applications will be accepted through May 1 for the Texas event and June 1 for Tennessee. Horses will be gathered from any of the 10 Bureau of Land Management Herd Management Areas and brought to BLM facilities for pick up by trainers in Palomino Valley, Nev., Paul’s Valley, Okla., and Ewing, Ill., approximately 100 days prior to each event. Additional pick up facilities may be added.
The Foundation plans to place another 1,000 horses for adoption in 2009, having placed in excess of that number since the beginning of the Extreme Mustang Makeover in September 2007. Since it’s creation, an estimated 100,000 fans have filled the stands and walked the barns of events held across the U.S. and fans will have even more chances in 2009 as the Foundation will hold 10 events from Oregon to Florida. First up will be the invitational Mustang Magic competition at the famed Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo January 23-24, followed by the Northwest Extreme Mustang Makeover in Albany, Ore. March 19-21; the Gatorland Extreme Mustang Makeover held in conjunction with Lynn Palm’s Women LUV Horses in Ocala, Fla., April 3-5; the Midwest Extreme Mustang Makeover in Madison, Wis., April 19-21; the Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge May 15-17 in Norco, Calif., the Western States Extreme Mustang Makeover June 12-14 in Sacramento and the Wyoming Extreme Mustang Makeover August 14-16 in Douglas.
A total of 100 trainers will be accepted for the Texas and Tennessee events and two competition divisions will be offered, Legends and Idols. Colbert explained that by offering leveled competition in the larger events, more trainers have a chance at the prize money.
“We first offered leveled competition at the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth and was very well received by the trainers,” she said. “Ultimately, our goal is to place gentled mustangs for adoption and with leveled competition, trainers are more likely to work at the horse’s pace rather than try to train to a calendar.”
Applications are available for download from extrememustangmakeover.com or by calling 512.355.3225.
The MHF in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to highlight the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition. The event will give the public a unique opportunity to see the results of wild horses becoming trained mounts and then participate in a competitive bidding process to adopt one of these treasured animals.
The purpose of the competition is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout
the West, where the Bureau of Land Management protects them under Federal law. The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range to ensure herd health and protect rangeland resources. Thousands of removed animals are then made available each year to the public for adoption. All of the animals involved in the "Makeover" competition will be available for adoption at the close of each event.
About the Mustang Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover are to increase the adoption of mustangs across the country. The Mustang Heritage Foundation created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to showcase the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition.
About the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing 258 million acres of public lands, located mostly in the West. Wild horses and burros roaming public rangelands are managed in a manner consistent with BLM's overall multiple-use mission, as set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 220,000 horses and burros into private care through adoption. For more information, visit wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS.
Mustang Heritage Foundation
Patti Colbert
P.O. Box 703
Bertram, Texas 78605
(512) 355-3225
(512) 355-2737 fax
plcolbert@mustangheritagefoundation.org
weslies@mustangheritagefoundation.org
Bureau of Land Management
Tom Gorey
(202) 452-5137
Paul McGuire
(405) 790-1009
Reader Comments
Be the first to submit a comment on this article!
Submit your comments
Link to this article
---------------------- It's easy! Just copy code below and paste into your webpage --------------------
<a href="http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/extreme-mustang-makeover-texas-tennessee-01-09.html">Extreme Mustang Makeover Returns to Texas; Adds Tennessee</a> ~ EquestrianMag.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your link will appear like this:
Extreme Mustang Makeover Returns to Texas; Adds Tennessee ~ EquestrianMag.com
|
