MUSTANG COMPETITION HEATS UP IN AUGUST
Final Summer Competitions in Wyoming and Nevada

The final competitions prior to the September Extreme Mustang Makeover are set for mid-August and fans of the wild horse will not want to miss the sensation that has captured the nation like no other.

Already drawing thousands to venues in Wisconsin and California, the sensational Mustang Challenge will take center stage August 15 and 16 during the Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo in Douglas. The Wyoming Mustang Challenge offers $11,000 in prize money to 25 of the Rocky Mountain region's top horsemen and women as they show off the skills they've taught their wild American mustangs in the past 90 days.

During competition, trainers are evaluated on the body condition of their American Mustangs, as well as their ability to handle the horse "in hand" through a series of maneuvers which include picking up the horse's feet, maneuvering it through obstacles and loading it into a trailer. Following the "in hand" course, trainers will mount their animals and complete a "horse course" that will include a series of obstacles, with cattle work optional, and require the trainer to demonstrate the level of competency the horse as accomplished.

The Top 10 Finals will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday August 16 and you'll be touched by the relationships developed by these trainers with their mustangs and the amazing talents of these American icons after only 90 days training, including some working on cattle and with a variety of obstacles.

In addition to becoming a Mustang Challenge champion rider, the winning trainer will receive $5,000, with the reserve receiving $2,500, third place $1,250, fourth $750 and fifth $500.The public will be invited to participate in adopting one of the Mustang Challenge competition animals August 16 immediately following the finals.

If the bright lights of the biggest little city on earth are an attraction, then be the first to witness the debut of the Extreme Mustang Makeover's new yearling competition, Mission: 007, during the Wild Horse and Burro Expo in Reno, Nevada, August 15-16, as well. Named for the foaling year of the mustang yearlings, the $5,000 Mission: 007 features 55 formerly wild geldings and fillies being shown by 45 trainers from seven states.

Open to youth, amateur and professional competitors ages nine and older, this event will showcase the first opportunity for youth age 18 and under to interact with and train a wild horse. During competition, handlers receiving scoring based on the body condition of their American Mustangs, as well as their ability to handle the horse "in hand" through a series of maneuvers which include picking up the horse's feet, maneuvering it through obstacles and loading it into a trailer.

Adoption for the yearlings are by silent bid and handlers will be available to prospective adopters throughout the competition to answer questions. Furthermore, BLM personnel will be on hand to quickly process adoption applications at both events, as well as provide information regarding the adoption of mustangs. For more information on the adoption of Mustangs, call 1-866-4MUSTANGS or go to wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), created the Mustang Challenge event to highlight the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition. The purpose of the Mustang competition series is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the West, where they are protected by the BLM under Federal law. One hundred percent of the horses placed for adoption at the 2007 Extreme Mustang Makeover were adopted.