The success of the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover Yearling Edition has spurred the addition of yearling competition, for youth competitors only, during the Extreme Western and Eastern Stampede’s in Fort Worth, September 18-20 and in Murfreesboro, Tenn., October 23-25.

“Our fans have spoken and they really like to see the youngsters have an opportunity to use their skills in gentling these yearling mustangs,” said Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director Patti Colbert. “With an estimated purse of $5,000 at each event, youth will have a great chance to test their skills and earn some sorely needed funds for their education.”

A total of 25 youth, age 9 to 18, will be accepted for each event. Applications will be accepted through May 1 for the Texas event and June 1 for the 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.

Trainers may pick-up and show one yearling. Trainers may choose to adopt their yearling for $125 or trainer may place yearling in the live adoption and receive 50% of the adoption amount over the $125 adoption fee. Trainer must submit the Trainer Application and parent/guardian must submit the BLM adoption application. Trainers are not required to adopt the mustang and their application is used for BLM review only.

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.

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. Presented by Fort Dodge Animal Health, and sponsored by Western Horseman, Smith Brothers, Martin Saddlery, Roper Apparel and Daily 72, 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.