Extreme Mustang Challenge

[RainyDayRide]

I had a request to post this on this forum also…

This project is aimed at training 100 BLM mustangs in a little over 100 days. 100 trainers were chosen from 220 applicants from FL to the west coast. Horses were picked up in early June with the goal to have them ready for horse trials and an auction in Ft Worth by Sept. 22nd.

A number of the trainers have web sites and diaries chronicling their progress. A particularly interesting one is of Kitty Lauman, OR, working with Ranger. She has him out on the trail by week five.
Ranger videos

Links to many of the others in the competition can be found at Mustang Links

Press release at Extreme Makeover

[texang73]

How cool! Neat idea. From what I have seen, I like her methods…

[hastyreply]

This trainer is also participating. David Lee Archer. He has some videos on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D_Ct7jRofo

this is his website http://www.thesmokeyjoe.com/

[kansasgal]

Wow, what a fascinating concept

The only thing I don’t like about the idea is that they will all be auctioned off. Hopefully there will be enough experienced mustang riders/ horse people there to bid.
IMHO 100 days is still green broke, and the horse/ rider combinations should continue under the supervision of an experienced trainer. Preferably that horse’s original trainer…

[RainyDayRide]

I see that David Lee Archer says that
“To be honest I am planning on bringing him back after we are done with the contest.”

Several other trainers have also said that they plan to bid on their horse.

I wonder if the competition - or parts of it - will be televised.

[hastyreply]

Yes it is being recorded for Wide World of Horses (I think) on RFD tv

People in the Fort Worth Area, the admission is free. It should be interesting to watch.

I like that they took the “plain janes” that don’t get adopted to use for this. Is it ideal and everyone will get a perfect home? probably not, but they have a better chance than they had before.

David Archer is very interesting, he lives on horse rescue ranch.

[katarine]

I just booked my trip, we’re going to go check it out. I am very eager to see how it all plays out.

[RainyDayRide]

The page of the 100 horses/trainers/blog links has been moved to Mustang Makeovers

Katarine, I hope you post about your trip - I’d like to be there too but can’t make it.

[katarine]

I will. I’ll take pics, too, if that’s allowed. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

[kansasgal]

Well thanks to you guys…

I am now hooked. I have plans to go. Only if everything here at home is under control, and if the weather is ok. Found a great deal on airfair. My plan is to go Friday, and watch them school, and stay for most of Sat. I’m so excited.

If I hadn’t happened on this post, I never would have known about this competition.

Thanks and best wishes from Kansas.

[Prieta]

I’d LOVE to go there as well but I am now the official “Taxi Driver” for my three girls going to several swim meets.

Please do post extensively about your experiences so I’d feel as if I had gone there.

[RainyDayRide]

Ranger - week thirteen - is up.

[PalominoMorgan]

I have been following Ranger and Kitty on their website. What a great duo they are.

I watched the week 14 video and the last minute had me a little weepy. (Could be the pregnancy hormones.) I remember watching one of the first videos where another rider on horseback helped Ranger in the indoor understand what being ridden was about. I got teary-eyed seeing Ranger (at week 14) be the helper horse in the ring with another mustang. Talk about full circle.

Good luck Ranger and Kitty!

[Eventer55]

I’m not sure, but I think tommy Garland from Virginia was one of the trainers chosen. I’ll do some more research on that.

[Eventer55]

I was wrong, Tommy is doing “The Road To The Horse” next year.

[RainyDayRide]

@PalominoMorgan;2693672

I watched the week 14 video and the last minute had me a little weepy. (Could be the pregnancy hormones.) I remember watching one of the first videos where another rider on horseback helped Ranger in the indoor understand what being ridden was about. I got teary-eyed seeing Ranger (at week 14) be the helper horse in the ring with another mustang. Talk about full circle.

I had the same thought (minus the pregnancy hormones :winkgrin: )

Safe journey and good homes to all of the mustangs this weekend. I assume many are pulling into Ft Worth just about now.

[kansasgal]

Hope that the results will be posted soon and that there will be a full report…

I was planning on going, but stayed home for family reasons. Yes, IMHO Kitty is hands down going to win the event. I just hope all goes well and that those horses find good homes.

Best wishes from Kansas.

[RainyDayRide]

Unofficial - fourth hand by now - results. Note husband and wife from MT.

Guy Wood 1st place Texas
Kitty Lauman 2nd place Prineville, OR
Zane Davis 3rd place Whitehall, MT
Avija Aunina 4th place WY
Dwight Bilyk 5th place OK
Bill Lopez 6th OK
Holly Davis 7th Whitehall, MT
Nick Bowman 8th IN
Cody Keller 9th IA
Robin Secrist 10th WI
Roeliff Annon 11th NM
Jeremy Dunn 12th Rosamond, CA
Steven Hampton 13th GA? (name may be misspelled)
[Angie Keitel, 14th Antelope Acres, CA]

[RainyDayRide]

Via Ranger’s msg board Ranger’s progress
Posted by their webmaster.

[I]"Hello,
I just want to let everyone know that Kitty and Ranger took second place at the competition in Texas, they did an amazing job. For their four minute freestyle they received a standing ovation from the audience. Ranger was auctioned off today for $7500 to Rick and Kitty so they will be bringing him home.

Way to go Kitty!
Cassie"[/I]

So much for their prize money