Newsdate: Wed 04, Mar 2015 - 6:30 am
Location: AUSTIN, Texas

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is now accepting entries for the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge. Last year, prize money totaled $10,000 in cash prizes and the competition hopes to offer a similar prize purse this year, plus added prizes.

Training a horse for a better life

The Bluebonnet Training Challenge allows trainers and foster homes to show off their skills, and the horses gain valuable training that will help them find new homes.
© 2015 by Bluebonnet

The Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge is a competition in which volunteer foster homes and professional trainers work with a Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society foster horse for four months (horse pickup starts June 1) and then compete in the Challenge at the 2015 Bluebonnet Horse Expo on October 17, 2015, in Austin, Texas. Challenge Coordinator Stephanie Harvey says,

This year, the Bluebonnet Horse Expo will be held on October 17, 2015, from 9AM – 7PM

“Last year, the Challenge had a fantastically talented group of Professional entries and we expect the Professional Division to fill completely this year with the same caliber of trainers.”

The goals of the Challenge are to:

• Introduce the public to talented rescue horses

• Showcase the training abilities of Bluebonnet foster homes and trainers

• Produce horses who are ready to go to work for their adopters

• This year, we are also adding a new Youth Division and hope to showcase the horsemanship and talent of our wonderful Texas youth!

This year’s event includes offering the following divisions: Professional Trainer, Foster Horse Needs Finishing (under saddle), Youth under Saddle (ages 14-17), Foster Horse in Hand, and Youth in Hand (ages 12-17). Horse/handler teams will compete over obstacles and in a freestyle competition on October 17. All horses will be offered for adoption to pre-approved adopters that day.

The Training Challenge is an awesome event,” comments Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society President Dr. Jennifer Williams. “It allows trainers and foster homes to show off their skills, and the horses gain valuable training that will help them find adopters. This event grows to help more horses each year!”