Horse Illustrated Magazine

Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Memorial Center in Texas hosts the Fort Dodge Extreme Mustang Makeover September 18-21, and with it comes more than 200 formerly wild American Mustangs and more than 200 trainers hoping to capture their share of a $70,000 purse.

The 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover has quadrupled in size since 2007, with 200 Mustangs ranging from 3 to 4 years of age for the under saddle competition, while another 200 yearling Mustangs are part of the new Mission 007: Yearling Edition. Trainers hail from 38 states across the nation, and this year two South African trainers have joined the competition as well.

The trainers have had 100 days to gentle their Mustangs in preparation for the Makeover. Trainers picked up their Mustangs in June in Illinois, Nevada and Oklahoma. Horses were selected for trainers by lottery. During the Makeover, the now-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. Yearling Edition trainers have had the same 100 days but are only required to have their Mustangs trained to lead, maneuver simple obstacles, load in a trailer and lift their feet when asked.

“We’re offering a $50,000 purse in the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition and another $20,000 in the yearling competition,” says Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) executive director and event manager Patti Colbert. “The event last year proved that these Mustangs are marketable and trainable, so we have every confidence we’ll be able to provide the public with quality animals during the September 21 adoption and even more importantly, provide more homes for more horses.”

All horses competing in the Makeover will be made available for adoption. Potential adopters apply for the opportunity to be included in the competitive bidding process at the event with Bureau of Land Management (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 corral as well as shelter from the elements.

The MHF in cooperation with the BLM created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to highlight the recognized value of Mustangs through a national training competition. For more information, visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com.

Learn more about the Mustang breed here.