The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) announced that its annual Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover competition will be reformatted and achieve new heights in 2013 with the Mustang Million. This ambitious event seeks to place 1,000 wild, untouched horses into adoptive homes and be eligible for the performance competition with a $1,000,000 cash and prize purse.
Wild mustangs on BLM land
Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover competition will achieve new heights in 2013 as it seeks to place 1,000 wild, untouched horses into adoptive homes.
© 2012 by Peter Schmalzer
“We’ve adopted more than 3,300 horses through our training programs since 2007,” said Patti Colbert, MHF Executive Director. “We have a tremendous base of trainers and decided that 2013 was the year to put the equine world on its heels. The mustang has arrived.”
Mustang Million is scheduled to take place in Fort Worth, Texas, in September 2013. Horses for this competition will be available at adoptions in five cities across the United States in April and May: Fort Worth, TX; Burns, OR; Murfreesboro, TN; Norco, CA; and Elm Creek, NE.
“We’ve tried to make this new level of competition attractive and achievable to a broad range of horse enthusiasts across the country,” explained Colbert. “We have initiated a no-fee competition and will allow anyone to adopt and have a professional train and show their horse in the competition.”
Mustang Million will feature an adult division, a youth division and 12 specialty classes. There is a place for all horse enthusiasts from professionals to recreational riders. The specialty classes will range from in-hand classes, where horses will be shown at halter, to working cow horse classes with walk-trot-only classes in the middle.
Colbert identified a significant value of these programs to the American taxpayer. ”Each horse that sits in long-term holding costs the government about $10,000 in its average lifetime for feed and care. Putting 1,000 horses into private care will save taxpayers approximately $10 million. That’s why the $1 million in cash and prizes is a good investment.”
Mustang Million is being produced in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and through the support of Western Horseman, Ram Trucks, Pfizer, Twister Trailer, Vetericyn, Roper, Martin Saddlery, Smith Brothers and Gist Silversmiths.