 Need to contact us? Please feel free to contact us via any of the below methods. AMERICAN MUSTANGS CELEBRATED AT CAMP WILDFIRE Fort Worth, Texas, July 6, 2010 – Youth in Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding area are set to experience an exciting summer as members of Camp Wildfire, August 13-14, at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Funded through a grant from the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, youth ages 9 and older are invited to take part in two days of activities that center around the stewardship of the land and protection of the wild horse. The program will focus on National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Velma “Wild Horse Annie” Johnston and will feature an opportunity to learn from professional horse trainers involved in the $100,000 Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover at the Will Rogers Memorial Equestrian Center. Each camp participant will receive a souvenir t-shirt, backpack and camera, as well as tickets to a Supreme Extreme evening performance. Cost for the program is an affordable $10 for both days to include lunch. Scholarships are available. Activities will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday, with both days ending at 4 p.m. For more information, please contact the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame at 817.569.8967 or go to cowgirl.net. MUSTANG HERITAGE FOUNDATION SECURES GREATER SUPPORT The care of wild horses being trained for the Extreme Mustang Makeover is a top priority for the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), making its newest corporate sponsor, Vetericyn, a perfect fit. Vetericyn is an innovative new product that is being used to clean, treat and heal all wounds and infections in animals. It is safe as water, yet clinically proven to kill MRSA, staph, fungi and bacteria in just 30 seconds without harming healthy tissue. Vetericyn is an easy to use, one-step wound and infection formula and can be used around the eyes and mouth. This is a great product to always have with you in your trailer, barn, truck or home. Vetericyn can also be used as a preventative and disinfectant on all tack and equipment to kill bacteria. “Vetericyn is as ‘green’ as our mustangs,” states Foundation Executive Director, Patti Colbert. “It’s wonderful to work with a product that is environmentally friendly and safe for all animals. “ In addition to introducing Vetericyn to the more than 700 horse trainers and enthusiasts involved in Extreme Mustang Makeover events and the Trainer Incentive Program, Vetericyn will also be the supporting sponsor of the Extreme Mutt Makeover. Vetericyn products will be given to the ten dog trainers that are working with ten shelter dogs from the Humane Society of North Texas. The dogs and trainers will be competing for prize money in conjunction with the Extreme Mustang Makeover event in Fort Worth, September 18-20, at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center. The MHF also welcomes Equestrian Singles the the sponsorship lineup, which already includes top companies Fort Dodge Animal Health, Western Horseman, Smith Brothers, Martin Saddlery, Daily 72 and Roper. The Mustang Heritage Foundation found that a number of Extreme Mustang Makeover trainers met and became couples through Equestrian Singles. “The horse industry is all about having fun and meeting people,” said Colbert, “so what better partnership between the more than 10,000 Mustang fans and the 60,000 Equestrian Single members!” EquestrianSingles.com CEO/Founder, Jan Mirkin stated, " Many of our members already participate in the Extreme Mustang Makovers happening across the country. Marcia Zwilling, President/Founder is also an adopter herself. " I adopted my first Mustang at the Fort Worth Makeover last year. She is amazing, and I know she is going to be one of the best horses I 've ever had. I love how our community continues to make a difference in these horses lives through their participation and adoptions. The top ten single winners of the Ft. Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover will receive complimentary memberships to Equestrian Singles.
MUSTANGS GET OUT THE VOTE AT ROAD TO THE HORSE What began as a friendly bet between two of the nation's most dynamic equine entrepreneurs turned out to be a sound affirmation of the interest in and support of America's wild horse. Two of the top 10 finalists from the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, Texas, were tapped to take on two representatives of the original colt starting challenge, Road to the Horse, during that event March 14. Tootie Bland, producer of Road to the Horse, threw down the gauntlet during the 2008 Makeover and challenged Makeover visionary Patti Colbert with a "Battle for the Bling," with the loser buying the winner an original Rickrageous Jacket, designed by Denise Strickland of Blue Spring, Mo. While a panel of five judges scored the tests and ensured fairness, spectators were also able to get in on the action, text messaging their choice to determine the winner. By a 60 to 40 percent margin, the more than 4,000 fans gave a resounding vote of confidence to the "Extreme Team," crowning them the winners of the "Battle for the Bling." Taking on 2008 and 2008 Road to the Horse contender Tommy Garland of Powhatan, Va., was 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover champion Mark Lyon of Atherton, Neb. riding his mustang, Christian. Top 10 Makeover and Extreme Cowboy Race finalist Wylene Wilson of Queen Creek, Ariz., riding the mustang Filthy Rich, faced Road to the Horse boss wrangler Thomas B. Saunders V of Weatherford, Tex. Garland and Spirit were clearly the crowd favorites, though, as they entered the arena to cheers and applause. Despite soft circles and crisp lead changes, the duo was not able to overcome the dynamic edge of Christian and Lyon, receiving just a slightly lower score from the panel of judges. It was the timed obstacle course, however, that brought the biggest reaction from the crowd. Never one to back down from a challenge, Wylene Wilson entered the arena riding Filthy Rich bareback to take on Saunders, who brought a wealth of cowboy experience to the contest. At the sound of the buzzer, both were off to throw water balloons in buckets, complete spins in a box, race around poles and then return to the finish carrying a live chicken. Even though Sanders edged Wilson out at the finish line, the crowd still crowned the blonde bombshell the winner with their vote. "I'm not shocked very often, but I was this time," said Colbert following the announcement of the winner. "Tootie Bland has done more to help bring awareness to the American mustang to the American public and we can't thank her enough for that." To top the surprise win, Colbert not only received a Rickrageous jacket emblazoned with the Extreme Mustang Makeover logo, but Bland also received a jacket with the Road to the Horse logo, contributed by Filthy Rich's adopter, Sharon Miller of Corpus Christi.
The Mustang Heritage Foundation is doing what no other horse related organization in the nation has attempted – give a horse to a trainer for 90 days and guarantee $700 in payment, with the promise to help market the trainer and the horse to the public. “This is the answer for many of our nation’s talented horsemen who are losing customers or have customers who can no longer pay to have their horses trained,” said MHF Executive Director Patti Colbert. “Through the Foundation’s Trainers Incentive Program (TIP), horsemen can receive up to four mustangs, gentle them and place them for adoption in a period of 90 days and receive $700 for each horse.” Colbert added that the $700 creates a trickle down economic effect throughout the agriculture market through the continued purchase of grain, hay and horse care products. TIP can also help folks pursue new careers and support employment of those currently involved in farming and ranching, in addition to saving the U.S. government millions of dollars in the cost of feeding mustangs in long and short term holding facilities. Monett, Mo., horseman Chad Kelly has reaped the benefits of being involved with the program. Since becoming a TIP trainer in 2008, Kelly has placed more than 40 mustangs for adoption throughout Missouri and the Midwest and has earned more than $50,000 in TIP incentive funds. “I got involved with the program after competing in the first Extreme Mustang Makeover in 2007,” said the horseman who was also tapped to compete in the Fort Worth Stock Show’s Mustang Magic. “There is a ready market for the mustang as people are interested in their very hardy nature and uniqueness to our nation’s heritage. Most of the horses I have placed for adoption have stayed with me afterwards to continue their training or they are close by where the adopter can come and learn more about the training the horse has received. It’s been a win-win for everyone. These folks get a horse that’s been started pretty well for less than they would pay for some others and I often gain a new customer.” In order to qualify, certain criteria must be met to satisfy Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations, which is responsible for the management of more than 30,000 wild horses roaming public lands. Mustangs are periodically gathered and removed from herd management areas (HMAs) and are placed for adoption across the country. The most vital of criteria, among others, are that TIP trainers must be at least 18 years, must have a track record of using natural horsemanship training methods, have facilities that meet BLM requirements, as well as no history or convictions for abuse of animal. To obtain a full description of the program and to apply call Program Coordinator Kali Sublett at (254) 947-5530. EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER RETURNS TO MIDWEST HORSE FAIR October 27, 2008, Bertram, Texas - The Midwest Horse Fair welcomes back the star of the 2008 show as the Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to Madison, Wis. for the second year in a row April 17-19 with America's most definitive horsemanship test Featuring 50 wild horses gathered from Nevada, trainers will have approximately 90 days to gentle the mustangs before displaying their talents before what has been a standing room only crowd. "Rhonda Reese and her team at the Midwest Horse Fair stage a first-class event and we're only too glad to be a part of this fantastic show," said Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) Executive Director Patti Colbert. "Trainers from the Midwest were phenomenal because they not only raised the bar for the competition, they fought a really tough winter in 2008 to get these horses ready. The Mustang Makeover has really gained a following in the horse industry and I know these trainers will bring it in 2009." Read the full story. EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER RETURNS TO MIDWEST HORSE FAIR YOUNGSTERS GRAB THE SPOTLIGHT AT EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER October 6, 2008, Bertram, Texas - Competition for the younger set concluded with real panache at the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover September 19 as $20,000 was awarded in three age groups during Mission 007: Yearling Edition of the four-day Makeover event. More than 200 yearlings competed in the event with trainers from 16 states ranging in age from nine to 64. The bulk of the purse, $10,000, was reserved for the youth division of the competition, which featured youngsters from age 9 to 18. More than 50 youth from six states competed in the event, which required that the yearling mustangs, gathered from their natural habitat in June, be gentled to lead through a trail of obstacles and loaded in a trailer. Ten finalists were then invited to a freestyle round where they were only limited by their imagination in showing what the yearling had learned. Read the full story. WINNER HEAD OVER HEELS IN 2008 EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Mark Lyon of Arlington, Neb., took the grand prize at the second annual Fort Dodge Extreme Mustang Makeover Legends Finals, September 20 in Fort Worth, Texas, in the event's most difficult level of competition, after falling from his horse mid-performance. He demonstrated that a well-trained horse doesn't always need a rider to win, capturing the $12,500 top prize and the hearts of thousands watching his performance on Christian, a three-year-old, bay, mustang gelding. Well into Lyon's textbook perfect performance, which included a ballet of movement including deep stops and picture perfect spins, the crowd's hearts fell when he leaned to Christian's side in a tight turn and his saddle slipped causing him to fall. Since the entire focus of the judges was on the mustang's ability, judges awarded Christian for his reaction to this unforeseen happening. Judge and famed horse trainer, John Lyons, said, "That was the best part of the whole performance. He did exactly what he was trained to do," describing how Christian stood and waited for his rider to get back on. Lyons went on to take the horse through his paces firing a shooting pistol at balloons and riding through a ring of fire. Read the full story. MUSTANG TRAINER BEGINS CROSS COUNTRY TREK TO MAKEOVER Las Vegas, Nev., horse trainer Matt Replogle is making his journey to the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, Tex., September 18-21, a different, and perhaps more meaningful one. He's inviting other trainers and mustang fans to join him. While others will be loading their mustangs into trailers, Replogle is making the 1,200-mile journey to Fort Worth riding his yet unnamed mustang to the event in order to raise awareness about the value and trainability of mustangs along with bringing a focus to breast cancer. Read the full story. ARCHIVE * 07/22/2008 - MUSTANG COMPETITION HEATS UP IN AUGUST * December, 2008 |
