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Extreme Team Mustang Makeover June 11-13 Rules: Reining Pattern | Rules and Regulations | Facility and Trailer Requirements For the first time, The Extreme Mustang Makeover is headed to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado on June 11-13, 2010: 45 trainers have been selected to compete individually and on a team, coached by Al Dunning and Ken McNabb! JUDGES Bob Moorehouse
Bob is a graduate of Texas Tech University, receiving a B.S. degree in Animal Business. He is a director of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, American Quarter Horse Association, & the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. Bob became interested in photography 18 years ago. Knowing he had the best subject matter, he became interested in capturing a pictorial chronicle of the cowboy way of life. A collection of Moorhouse's photographs has become the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum's first traveling exhibit. The photos have been published in various publications, and hang in many prominent offices. He and his wife Linda have two daughters Amy and Keri Ann. Bob has judged numerous mustang makeover events and believes strongly in the MHF and the trainers who take on this amazing task. TEAM EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER MARKS AN EVOLUTION
Like other Extreme Mustang Makeover events, the competition climaxed with a freestyle finals held Saturday, June 12 at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center on the campus of Colorado State University. The crowd came in anticipation of a final that the Makeover has become known for and the 12 finalists didn't disappoint. With performances ranging from the calculated moves of a reining pattern to a stunning display of solid horsemanship and trust, the audience was mesmerized by the performance of Logan Leach and B.I.G., a smallish bay gelding with big time moves. The 26-year-old trainer from Tucson, Ariz., did a repeat performance of the routine that gained him a standing ovation in Fort Worth, Tex., this past January, riding B.I.G. through a series of circles, stops and spins in the bridle, then slipping the bridle off to take the horse through yet another flawless series, including stops, spins and backs. The judges were equally mesmerized awarding the pair with the highest scores of the evening.
Taking a close reserve championship was Randall Davis of Greeley, Colo., riding a flashy sorrel gelding he dubbed Marvin, who was definitely the crowd favorite as he moved willingly to the "Snowy River" soundtrack, with incredible flying lead changes and circles, followed by the coup de gras of loading in a trailer with trainer Davis guiding him from the roof. Marvin was also the high-adopting horse of the event at $7,500. All horses in the competition were adopted for an average of more than $1,800. Team Concept Couples with Clinic
"I believe this competition is truly an example of where the horse industry should look for growth," said Mustang Heritage Foundation Executive Director Patti Colbert. "The Extreme Mustang Makeover is undeniable proof that the horse industry has an audience of people very interested in learning how to train horses and are equally willing to learn from the experts in our industry. That, combined with a competition to showcase their newfound skills, provides these rising horsemen with an opportunity to learn and gain recognition in an entirely different way."
"You know these trainers are great trainers and great horsemen," said McNabb. "I've really enjoyed the opportunity to get in there with these trainers and help them see how those little adjustments can make big improvements." The trainers involved in the event were equally affected by the opportunity to work with not only the "celebrity" trainers, but to meet and work with trainers from across the country. "Having the opportunity to work with someone like Al Dunning was incredible," said Madeline LeClerc of Boyd, Tex., chosen by Dunning as his Coach's Pick to return to the finals. "This event was a lot of fun and definitely helped me show my horse to this best." Team Results
DUNNING AND MCNABB TO LEAD EXTREME TEAM
Leading two teams during the Extreme Team Mustang Makeover, Dunning and McNabb will offer their training expertise to each team of 25 trainers from across the country that will be competing for $12,500. Like previous acclaimed Extreme Mustang Makeover events, trainers will pick up their randomly selected wild horses about 90 days prior to the event. Pick up for this event will be March 5-6 in Canon City, Colo., or Paul's Valley, Okla. Deadline for applications is February 1. Applications can be downloaded from extrememustangmakeover.com or by calling 512.869.3225. There is no entry fee for the event and trainers will be reimbursed up to $700 in expenses. "The Mustang Heritage Foundation is constantly searching for dynamic ways to introduce horsemen and women to the true value of the American Mustang," said MHF Executive Director Patti Colbert. "Al and Ken have been great friends to the Foundation having served as judges in the past and being available to trainers in offering advice and encouragement. With this competition, they'll have a more direct hands-on approach and trainers will be able to get their advice at the event to fine-tune the work they've done in the previous 90 days."
"Another great element to this competition is that fans are going to be able to vote for their favorite trainer through a bracket system on line," said Colbert. "The People's Favorite trainers and mustangs will then compete on Friday night of our competition during a Mustang Smackdown for cash and prizes." Top Ten finals will be held Saturday June 12 at 7 p.m. for individual qualifiers while both teams will compete in a team performance designed by their coach. All mustangs competing in the competition will be made available for adoption June 13 at 10 a.m. The event is free to the public from 8am to 6pm each evening. Tickets available for the Friday night performance and Saturday night Top Ten finals performance. |
Bob Moorhouse is the retired Vice-President and General Manager of the famed Pitchfork Land and Cattle Co. of Guthrie and Benjamin, Texas and also in Eskridge, Kansas. Bob has been with the Pitchfork Ranch for over 25 years.
Georgetown, Texas - The Team Extreme Mustang Makeover marked a turning point, of sorts, for both the participating trainers and the Extreme Mustang Makeover initiative as nearly 40 horsemen made their way to Fort Collins, Colo., to work with world champion Al Dunning and nationally known clinician Ken McNabb in a team concept that also offered individual recognition. 
Trainers were given a significant opportunity to increase their skills when internationally-known horsemen Al Dunning of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Ken McNabb of Clark, Wyo., took on the challenge of serving as team coaches during the event. With Dunning serving as the American League coach and McNabb taking on coaching of the Patriot league, the two teams worked out each morning with their coaches getting valuable training tips and honing their skills. Teams worked on reining, trail and working cow horse maneuvers with Dunning and McNabb sparing no words in offering criticism and compliments to the trainers. 
"You know when they get here, everybody is a little nervous, but I think having a coach here gave them a support system to be able to look back and say 'hey, I need help with this,'" said Dunning. "My job was to look at where they were with their horse in 90 days and see how I could help them make those small adjustments to get their horse in a better position."
Teams were judged in fun events that required them to work together, including an obstacle relay race and "cow hockey." Team members in each of the individual classes to go toward a team total also earned points. Both Dunning and McNabb took to the role of coach with gusto, shouting encouragement to team members in each event, with Dunning sitting close by during the cow work portion coaching every single trainer, team member or not.
Georgetown, Texas, December 8, 2009 - World champion Al Dunning and nationally-known clinician Ken McNabb will go head to head June 11-13 at Colorado State University's Equine Center in Fort Collins, but this time as coaches. 
Trainers will be "drafted" at the event to the American League by Dunning of Scottsdale, Ariz., and the Patriots League by McNabb of Cody, Wyo. Trainers will compete in entry level reining, trail, and cow work from rules adapted from the American Stock Horse Association and the Stock Horse of Texas Association. Points will be earned individually and for the team by each trainer, with each coach selecting three trainers per competition element who points will count for the team, as well. 