After placing more than 300 mustangs for adoption at its 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, Tex., the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) hopes to equal that number, but divide the wealth between two key locations in 2009. Fans and potential trainers of the event will now be able to see that action in both Fort Worth, Tex., September 18-20 and in Murfreesboro, Tenn., October 23-25.

“There will actually be a total of 10 Extreme Mustang Makeover events in 2009,” said MHF Executive Director Patti Colbert and visionary of the events. “Most of the events throughout the year will include 35 to 50 horses. Our fans, however, have to come to expect a big finish each year with a larger number of horses available so we’re bringing that back but at the same time are addressing the comments we’ve received to have a competition in the eastern region of the country.”

Applications will be accepted through May 1 for the Texas event and June 1 for 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.

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 theU.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.

A total of 100 trainers will be accepted for the Texas and Tennessee events and two competition divisions will be offered, Legends and Idols. Colbert explained that by offering leveled competition in the larger events, more trainers have a chance at the prize money.

“We first offered leveled competition at the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth and was very well received by the trainers,” she said. “Ultimately, our goal is to place gentled mustangs for adoption and with leveled competition, trainers are more likely to work at the horse’s pace rather than try to train to a calendar.”

Applications are available for download from extrememustangmakeover.com or by calling 512.355.3225.

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. 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. All of the animals involved in the "Makeover" competition will be available for adoption at  the close of each event.