For
the past three months, more than twenty trainers have been working with wild
Mustangs in preparation for the Navajo Nation Extreme Mustang Makeover in
Tsaile
,
Arizona
, August 12-14, the hard work was put to the test as the trainers displayed the
talents of the Mustangs in classes designed to showcase the horses’
intelligence and athletic ability. When the dust settled, Jed Austin Mayfield of
Tucson
,
Arizona
, and his Mustang EZ were named the champions of the first Extreme Mustang
Makeover ever to be held in
Arizona
.
Mayfield
and EZ, a 2008 black gelding gathered from the Cedar Mountain, Utah, amassed 34
points for their compulsory class and 60 points in the freestyle finals for a
total score of 94 to win the event. Mayfield is a 27-year-old native of
Tucson
. He learned to ride from his father at the age of 4 and started training his
own horses at 17. Mayfield and his wife, Amy, have two sons. He is a fourth
generation farrier and is a certified performance horse trainer. Mayfield has
been using EZ in his clinics to teach other riders, and was thrilled to adopt EZ
for $950 at the adoption on August 14. Mayfield and EZ earned a check for $2,000
for their victory.
Frank
Despain of
Winslow
,
Arizona
, trained Clyde, a 2008 bay gelding gathered from
Cedar Mountain
,
Utah
. Despain and
Clyde
were the reserve champions at the Navajo Nation Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Clyde
was the highest adopted horse at the August 14 adoption and was adopted for
$1,400.
The
storied history shared by Mustangs and Native Americans was front and center
when the Extreme Mustang Makeover stopped at the Navajo Nation and
Diné
College
in
Tsaile
,
Arizona
. Horse songs and traditional prayers began each day’s competitions. The
breathtaking scenery made the experience even more unforgettable. Mustangs and
their trainers got to explore the beautiful country while competing on a natural
trail course designed by the Ultimate Ranch Cowboy Horse Competition.
In
all, $6,000 in prize money was awarded at the competition. In addition to the
top-10 finals, other awards were also presented. Jennifer Earnest, who trained
Claude, won the buckle for the Rookie Division. The Rookie Division recognizes
the highest placing trainer after the preliminary classes. Earnest, who is from
Silt,
Colorado
, and Claude finished third in the finals. Wesley Coates, who trained 44 Magnum,
won the buckle for the Silver Bullet Division, which recognizes the highest
placing trainer 50 years old or older. Coates is from
Gunnison
,
Utah
. Aaron Smith-Tayson, who trained Charger, won the buckle for the Young Gun
Division. Smith-Tayson is from Twenty-Nine Palms,
California
. The Young Gun award is given to the top placing trainer aged 18-21.
The
Extreme Mustang Makeovers are made possible through the generous support of our
partners – the Bureau
of Land Management, Western Horseman, Pfizer, Ram Truck, Vetericyn, Smith
Brothers, Martin Saddlery, Gist Silversmiths and ACTHA. Visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com
or call (512) 869-3225 for the latest information on the Extreme Mustang
Makeover events.
About
the Mustang Heritage Foundation
The mission of the Mustang Heritage
Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover events and programs are
to increase the adoption of Mustangs across the country. The Mustang Heritage
Foundation created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events to showcase the
recognized value of Mustangs through a national training competition. For more
information, visit www.mustangheritagefoundation.org.
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. Visit wildhorseandburro.blm.gov
or call 1-866-468-7826.
About
the Ultimate Ranch Cowboy Horse Competition
The purpose of the Ultimate Ranch Cowboy Horse Competition (URCHC) is to raise
funds for scholarships. Stanley Kedelty presented the idea to the family of the
late Ross Begay Sr. The funds raised from the URCHC event are used solely for
college scholarships for the Crystal, New Mexico, community. The Annual URCHC
honors the late Ross Begay Sr., Alvin Begay and Grace Denetso who were
well-known ranchers in Crystal. All three were among the first family in
Crystal
to advocate for infrastructure development and improving the quality of life
for the community. Their support for improving Navajo life extended beyond their
family and into the local community.
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Photo
Credit: Jennifer K. Hancock/Mustang Heritage Foundation
Mustang
Heritage Foundation
P.O. Box 979
Georgetown
, TX 78626
(512) 869-3225 office
(512) 869-3229 fax
Creators and exclusive producers of the Extreme Mustang Makeover!
Interested in adopting a gentled mustang? Attend an event or call us about the
Trainer Incentive Program. For more information, visit www.mustangheritagefoundation.org.
