Horse Illustrated Magazine

Since the first Extreme Mustang Makeover event was held in 2007, the Mustang Heritage Foundation has facilitated the adoptions of more than 3,000 gentled American Mustangs. In 2012, the Foundation in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management will continue to increase its efforts to raise awareness of adoptions of America’s Mustangs. Next year, the Mustang Heritage Foundation will host eight Extreme Mustang Makeover events and travel to new areas in the United States.

The year begins in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo with the invitational Mustang Magic. More than 20 Mustangs and their trainers are scheduled to compete January 19-21, 2012. The Mustangs will be available for adoption following the competition.

In April, the Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Extreme Mustang Makeover will take place April 20-22. Applications for the Midwest Horse Fair Extreme Mustang Makeover will be available at www.extrememustangmakeover.com after October 1.

In May, the Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to Norco, California. Living up to its Horsetown USA moniker, Norco competitors will showcase their Mustangs’ talents on an urban trail course as well as other classes. The event is scheduled for May 18-20, 2012.

June will be a busy month for the Extreme Mustang Makeover crew as they travel to Colorado and Oregon. The Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Collins, Colorado, will be held June 8-10 at Colorado State University. The Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to Oregon to the Linn County Horse Center in Albany. The Oregon event will be held June 29-July 1.

In 2012, the Extreme Mustang Makeover will travel farther north and east than ever before as Mustangs make their first extreme appearance in New Jersey. August 10-12, the Extreme Mustang Makeover will travel to the northeast for an event at New Jersey Dram Park in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

The Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover will add a new twist in 2012 as 100 yearlings will be offered for adoption for a new youth division. Yearlings will be adopted prior to the Supreme similar to the 200 older horses that will be offered, too. In 2012, three adult divisions will again be offered with an estimated $200,000 purse in addition to the new youth division. Dates for the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover competition are being finalized, but the adoption auction will take place March 31.

The final stop on the schedule will be in Clemson, South Carolina, October 19-21, 2012. The Extreme Mustang Makeover will make its first-ever visit to South Carolina.

Excluding the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover event where horses will be adopted prior to competing, Mustangs will be available for adoption at all Extreme Mustang Makeover events. Trainers interested in competing in Extreme Mustang Makeover events must complete and submit an application, which will be available for the first event at the Extreme Mustang Makeover website after October 1. Excluding the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover, trainers competing at an Extreme Mustang Makeover event receive $700 for reimbursed expenses, and there are no entry fees to enter. More than $350,000 in estimated prize money will be available at the 2012 events. Following the success of the bonus divisions for Rookies (first time EMM trainers), Young Guns (trainers 18-21 years old) and Silver Bullets (trainers 50 years old or older) in 2011, the bonuses will return in 2012. Visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com for the latest information on the Extreme Mustang Makeover events.