Extreme Mustang Makeover Photo by Tara Martinak, Burns District, Bureau of Land Management/CC BY 2.0
The EMM program, created and produced by the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse & Burro Program, involves a 100-day competition that challenges trainers to gentle and saddle train wild mustangs to ready them for competition. Through a series of classes and a Top Ten finals competition, trainers display the mustangs’ skills and demeanor, followed by a bidding process where spectators can adopt or purchase one as their own.
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“The Extreme Mustang Makeover events give the public a chance to witness the incredible transformation these horses have undergone taking them from wild to willing partners,” said Kali Sublett, MHF Executive Director. “Since we created the program in 2007, we’ve found homes for more than 9,400 mustangs—an achievement we’re extremely proud of. We look forward to seeing that number grow in 2018.”
In 2018, two EMM events are scheduled.
Extreme Mustang Makeover 2018 Schedule
- June 21-23: Lexington, Kentucky
- September 6-8: Fort Worth, Texas
After being selected to compete for the EMM Lexington, KY event, trainers are paired with an American mustang that has been virtually untouched by humans. With approximately three months to gentle and saddle train the mustang, trainers then compete in a series of classes to qualify for the top 10 freestyle performance to showcase their mustang’s talents—such as riding without a bridle and standing atop the saddle.
The EMM Fort Worth, TX event in September 2018 will feature an exciting format called Player’s Choice. Eligible adult trainers will be allowed to bid on the mustang of their choosing for use in competition from a selection of 250 mares and geldings and compete for their chance to win the top prize of $50,000.
Since establishing the Extreme Mustang Makeover in 2007, MHF has taken the event to 34 cities in 23 states, finding homes for more than 9,400 mustangs along the way. In 2016-17, 237 mustangs were placed into private care through the wild horse training event. The other 1,600 animals were placed through a non-competitive training program called the Trainer Incentive Program or TIP.
Currently, the BLM estimates nearly 70,000 wild horses roam on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 western states, mostly in Nevada, Wyoming and California. As their populations grow, events like the EMM encourage public education and adoption of these remarkable animals.
“Mustangs are beautiful, versatile, intelligent creatures,” Sublett said. “To see them firsthand is a truly incredible experience and one that we encourage everyone to take part in.”
Extreme Mustang Makeovers are made possible through a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and the generosity of sponsors such as; Western Horseman, Resistol, RIDE TV, RAM Rodeo Series, Martin Saddlery & Classic Equine, NRS, A Cut Above Buckles, Best Ever Pads, Yeti, España Silk, Weisberg Family Foundation and Weisberg Stables.
For more information about the Extreme Mustang Makeover program or to become a trainer, adopter or sponsor of the event, visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com.
About the Mustang Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation is to create and promote programs and activities that provide information and education about wild horses, elevate their image and desirability, provide opportunities to become involved in the wild horse experience and secure adequate numbers of caring homes for excess horses. Working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, the Mustang Heritage Foundation is passionate about the successful placement of mustangs into private care so future generations can enjoy this distinctive feature of our American heritage. The Mustang Heritage Foundation has placed over 9,400 mustangs into private care since 2007.
