Mustang Smackdown Attracts Top Horsemen
Event brings spotlight to unwanted horses

In what could be considered one of the most unconventional approaches to an equine competition, the Texas Classic, one of the nation’s largest horse shows, is pitting five American Mustangs against some veteran domestically raised show horses in what’s being billed as the “Extreme Mustang Smackdown.”

The five American Mustangs will take on five of the best domestically raised freestyle horses the horse industry has to offer in a "no holds barred" freestyle event. A winner-take-all purse of $5,000 is up for grabs in the event to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center May 25.

"We're excited to welcome these unique horses to the Texas Classic," said show manager Val Clark. "But even more importantly, the American Mustang puts a face on a serious problem the horse industry is currently facing in this country with unwanted horses. Through some very innovative programs being supported through the Bureau of Land Management and the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the American public is being shown that there are opportunities to adopt and enjoy these horses, easing the burden on the environment and the taxpayer. We’ve all got to work together to address these issues and the Texas Classic is glad to play a part in that.”

Clark said spectators can expect a fun and exciting show as the Mustangs, who range in age from four to six years old, work to prove their mettle against older more experienced show horses.

“We called it a ‘smackdown’ when we saw what these Mustang trainers could pull off with these horses and knew it would be an amazing show,” Clark said. “It’s all in fun, of course, but for an excellent cause.”

The five American Mustangs are all products of the recent Extreme Mustang Makeover sensation. Scheduled to appear is 2007 Extreme Mustang Makeover Champion Max, owned and trained by NCHA Hall of Famer Guy Woods, and now under the guidance of Australian Grant Barron, who was 14th in NCHA world standings in 2006. From Cooyar, Queensland, Barron is pumped about the event.

“I’ve watched freestyle reining the past and watching paint dry is more exciting,” he said. “Reining horses can do sliding stops and fast spins. Who cares? If you want some real excitement, wait until you see Max the Mustang in all his glory. It will be one heck of a shoot out!”

The Mustang contestants were participants in the 2007 Extreme Mustang Makeover presented by Fort Dodge that thrilled standing room only crowds last September in Fort Worth, as they witnessed the results of 100 trainers working 100 days to tame 100 of America's iconic wild Mustangs. The results, attracting such media powerhouses as Newsweek, National Geographic and Western Horseman magazines, were nothing short of astounding.

One new fan of the Mustang is USET Gold Medalist and World Champion trainer Pete Kyle of Whitesboro, Texas, who will be competing in the Smackdown with American Quarter Horse Chexy Dr Pepper, winner of more than $70,000 in NRHA competition and former year-end high-point reining horse in AQHA competition. Kyle also judged preliminary rounds in the 2007 Extreme Mustang Makeover.

“I really look forward to the contest as I watched what those guys did with their Mustangs and I am quite impressed with how broke they had them in such a short time,” Kyle said.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to highlight the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition. The 2008 event, to be held September 18-21 in Fort Worth, Texas, with a purse of $50,000 and 200 horses, gives the public a unique opportunity to see the results of wild horses becoming trained mounts and then participate in a competitive bidding process to adopt one of these treasured animals. The purpose of the competition 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.

"Bring it on," said MHF Executive Director Patti Colbert. "The public is going to have a lot of fun watching this event and cheering on their favorite, plus I think we might even have a few surprises in store from both sides of the competition. We look forward to being a part of it."

Colbert said crowds could expect horses to negotiate obstacles including a few jumps, chase cattle and handle gunfire.

Also competing with Mustangs will be Waggoner Ranch manager Weldon Hawley of Vernon, Texas, owner and rider of Winnemucca; AQHA World Champion trainer Abel Garcia of Sequin, Texas, riding Larry, owned by Randy and Marsha Olson of Kerrville, Texas; Bill Lopez of Norman, Oklahoma, riding Vegas, owned by Dr. Mark and Jamie Balensiefen of Bethany, Oklahoma; and Fort Worth’s own J.W. Weisiger riding Country Deacon owned by Steve and Julie Bryant of Aledo.

Rounding out of the field of domestic horses are Kinzy Donnelly riding Hollywood All Star, winner of more than $20,000 in NRHA competition and owned by Jordan Donnelly of Aubrey, Texas, as well as trainers Trevor Dare and Rusty Green, also of Whitesboro, and Chele Murrel of Elm Grove, Louisiana.

About the Mustang Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover is to increase the adoption of mustangs across the country. The Mustang Heritage Foundation created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to showcase the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition.

About the Texas Classic
The Classic, which is held at the prestigious Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, is the largest AQHA approved show in the State of Texas and ranks as one of the top show destinations in the nation. This ten-day event features NCHA/AQHA cutting, NRCHA/AQHA Cow Horse, NRHA/AQHA Reining and a full slate of AQHA & NSBA classes. Drawing in top competitors from across the US, the show encompassed almost 11,000 entries in 2007. Professional staff, fun activities and philanthropic goals will take the 2008 Classic to a greater level of exposure & quality than it has ever experienced before.

About the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing 258 million acres of public lands, located mostly in the West. Wild horses and burros roaming public rangelands are managed in a manner consistent with BLM's overall multiple-use mission, as set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 219,000 horses and burros into private care through adoption. For more information, visit wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS.

Mustang Heritage Foundation
Patti Colbert
P.O. Box 703
Bertram, Texas 78605

(512) 355-3225
(512) 355-2737 fax

plcolbert@mustangheritagefoundation.org
weslies@mustangheritagefoundation.org

Bureau of Land Management
Tom Gorey
(202) 452-5137

Texas Classic to Host First-Ever WCHA Classes!

The Texas Classic bills itself as “Not Just Another Horse Show” and never has that been more true for the mammoth event than in 2008. With over 11,000 entries expected and half a dozen different discipline specific association co-approvals, the event is much more than your everyday American Quarter Horse Association event!

Slated for May 23 - June 1, the Texas Quarter Horse Association’s signature show expands in 2008 to include its first-ever World Conformation Horse Association events. According to WCHA Officials, Executive Committee member and Chairman of the Judges Committee, Tim Finkenbinder initiated discussions about holding WCHA classes at the Texas Classic. Region 3 Directors Jason Smith helped with the negotiations, along with Dick Donnelly, Chairman of the WCHA Executive Committee and Jodi Sullivan, also an Executive Committee member.

Val Clark, Show Manager for the Texas Classic, is enthusiastic about the World Conformation Horse having a presence at the show. “I’m thrilled that the Texas Classic can host the WCHA clinic and classes! We look forward to supporting and promoting the vision and goals of the WCHA and I know that this first show is just the beginning of a very bright future for the new Association. It’s an honor to be a part of it.”

WCHA Professionals, including Jason Smith, Mike McMillian, Ted Turner, and Dewey Smith, will conduct a special clinic on Saturday, May 31, in conjunction with the Texas Classic Greenhand halter program. The clinic, which culminates with one-on-one help for people who want to try their hand at halter but don’t have the know-how, is free for anyone entered in the show and will cover grooming, attire and other showing topics. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about the World Conformation Horse Association.

WCHA Executive Committee member Tim Finkenbinder will serve as the judge for the WCHA Amateur classes and Youth classes which will be held Sunday, June 1, following the AQHA halter classes. In both classes the exhibitor or horse cannot have been in the top ten in the AQHA World Show or at the Congress and both owner and exhibitor must be a WCHA member. The WCHA classes are open to all western performance breeds with presentation of a copy of the horse’s registration papers being a requirement for entry. For the $25 entry fee, exhibitors will win $250, $100 and $50 for first, second and third in each class.

The Texas Classic, which is held at the prestigious Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, is the largest AQHA approved show in Texas and ranks as one of the top show destinations in the nation. This ten-day event features NCHA/AQHA cutting, NRCHA/AQHA Cow Horse, NRHA/AQHA Reining and a full slate of AQHA & NSBA classes. Professional staff, fun activities and philanthropic goals will take the 2008 Classic to a greater level of exposure & quality than it has ever experienced before. For information on the Texas Classic, visit the web site at www.texas-classic.com.

The World Conformation Horse Association is dedicated to the belief that correct conformation is the foundation of the horse’s ability to successfully perform in any discipline. The organization was created to encourage interest in and competitive opportunities for conformation horse enthusiasts and its members are committed to preserving, protecting and promoting the conformation standard of the horse. For information on the World Conformation Horse Association visit the web site at www.conformationhorse.com or contact the office at 580-759-3959, M-F from 8 am to 6 pm CST.

Download the WCHA brochure and visit their website for more information!