Regional, Monthly All-Breed Horse Magazine
Distributed throughout the Greater Rockies Since 1993

Posted 6/18/10

Clinic/Competition Concept Wave of the Future

     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.

     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

     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.”

     “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.”

     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.

     “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.”

About the Mustang Heritage Foundation

     The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover are 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 Bureau of Land Management \

     The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska . The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands. For more information, visit wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS.

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