The Mustang Challenge – presented by Western Horseman and the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program is the richest national western discipline mustang competition with $50,000 to the Champion and $125,000 total purse will be held at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas Nevada – July 11-13, 2024.
A white mustang mare with her foal and another mustang.
Mustang Champions is dedicated to the adoption of mustangs and working with the BLM, mustangs in holding will be transitioned into private care.
© 2012 by BLM
The goal of The Mustang Challenge is to showcase the skill and adaptability of the American mustang and the talented trainers that work with them in the Western discipline. The event will provide the public an opportunity to witness a mustang that has been given a foundation for success on its journey from government holding to private ownership.
The Mustang Challenge is open to exhibitors (ages 18 and older) that have adopted or purchased a BLM mustang between September 8th, 2023, and April 1st, 2024.
All exhibitors must complete the Mustang Trainer Readiness Curriculum prior to entering the Mustang Challenge completion. The goal is to improve training techniques.
All exhibitors must show proof of pre-Challenge show competition experience prior to the Challenge competition July 11-13, 2024. The goal is to give more time and require competitor to expose their mustang to other audiences to prepare for competition.
Mustang Challenge Championship Finals I South Point Arena, Las Vegas
Saturday night - July 13, 6PM – $50,000 to the Champion
The top 10 performing mustang and exhibitor pairs from the preliminary classes will be invited to compete in the championship finals to determine the Mustang Challenge Champion. Scoring will be based on a compulsory maneuver and a freestyle performance. The finals event is designed to encourage exhibitors to exhibit the athletic abilities of their mustang to the crowd in an exciting and appealing way. The exhibitors will incorporate props, costumes, and music to demonstrate their skills and the talents of their mustang.
For Challenge Championship Finals tickets: mustangchallenge2024.com/tickets-on-sale
For more information: mustangchallenge2024.com
Tentative Schedule – download PDF
Preliminary Classes – Thursday & Friday, July 11 & 12
The event will have three preliminary classes: trail class, reining pattern and ranch riding. The top 10 highest scoring exhibitors from the preliminary classes will compete in the Mustang Challenge Championship Finals for a grand prize of $50,000. The exhibitor is not required to be the adopter or owner of the mustang. An exhibitor may compete with up to two mustangs.
Reining Pattern
This pattern is intended to judge the horse on movements, mastery of a prescribed maneuver and attitude as it is guided through a series of patterns. The horse is required to perform a number of stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles at a lope. The mustang should be willing to be guided with little or no resistance.
Trail Class
This class is designed to show a horse's ability and willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of it during the course of a normal trail ride. Exhibitors will be asked to lead and ride their horse through a course of obstacles and maneuvers, including but not limited to walk/trot/lope over poles, walking over a bridge, sidepass, serpentine, etc. Scoring is based on the horse’s willingness, ease and grace in negotiating the course.
Ranch Riding
This class measures a mustang's ability to be a pleasure to ride while being used to perform one ranch task to another. The horse and rider are asked to perform a pattern that includes but is not limited to changes of gait, extension of gait, crossing logs, lead changes, opening gate and picking up or dragging an object, etc. All maneuvers should be performed as if the horse were being used on a ranch, and the horse should demonstrate a high level of training, relaxation and quality of movement in all gaits.
About the Mustang Champions
Contact: Matt Manroe, Executive Director, matt.manroe@mustangchampions.org – 512.415.5354
Mustang Champions is a 501(c)(3) headquartered in Austin, Texas.
Mustang Champions is dedicated to the adoption of mustangs that have been gathered and are currently in BLM holding. Working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program, mustangs in holding will be transitioned into private care to lessen the burden of an abundance of animals, reduce the cost of care to the American taxpayer and help protect rangelands. Mustang Champions will create and manage programs and events that showcase the ability and diversity of mustangs with the sole purpose of getting mustangs adopted. Mustang Champions is committed to the proper gentling, training, and treatment of mustangs. By enlisting qualified trainers, potential adopters, owners, and all Americans who want to support our efforts, Mustang Champions will prepare mustangs for homes outside of government holding. Additionally, Mustang Champions will provide educational and training resources to help those interested in and working with mustangs to improve their skills and knowledge, ensuring better handling and care of mustangs and help educate the American public about wild mustangs, raising positive awareness for the BLM and the WH&B Program staff. Mustang Champions hopes that, with their combined efforts and experience, they can give American mustangs in holding an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities as companions or champions mustangchampions.org
About the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program
The Bureau of Land Management manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
About Western Horseman / established 1936
For 88 years, Western Horseman has been instrumental in delivering impactful stories that celebrate authenticity, cowboy spirit and our Western way of life. From the fifth-generation rancher to the seasoned competitor to the proud, new horse owner, Western Horseman sets the bar for horsemanship and the Western lifestyle. Our content ranges from horse management and training articles to in-depth personality profiles, features on legendary ranches, behind-the-scenes looks at rodeo and horse shows, spotlights on Western artists and so much more.
About South Point Arena, Las Vegas
Since opening in February 2006, The South Point Arena has quickly become the place Cowboys come to play. Easily recognized as the nicest indoor Equestrian Facility in the country, more and more promoters and fans are also calling it home for non-equestrian events as well. Surrounded by the beautiful South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa, the Arenas is conveniently located near the 80,000 sq.ft. Exhibit Hall and just a short distance from 2,163 beautiful hotel rooms. With intimate permanent seating of 4,600 and ample parking and staging areas, the South Point Arena is perfect for top level events.
Press release by Matt Manroe, Executive Director