A Wild Adventure: Extreme Mustang Makeover

I’ve spent the last few months helping an extremely talented and good-hearted young woman, Mary, on her journey through the Extreme Mustang Makeover. This experience has been amazing and it has been fantastic to watch Mary and her horse, Easy, gain confidence and trust.

Mary and Easy build trust on the ground during their 90 days together as a part of the Extreme Mustang Makeover

Mary was part of the Ultimate 90-Day Wild Mustang Training Competition which challenges trainers to take a wild horse from the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro herds to train and compete on. Nearly 40 horsemen found themselves in Fort Collins, Colo., where the competition took place with a freestyle finals on June 12 at the B.W. Pickett Equine Center on the campus of Colorado State University.

Mary and Easy built a bond through Mary's skill around horses and Amy's careful coaching.

Here is a description of the experience in Mary’s own words…

I am so thankful to Amy LeSatz at Bridle-Bit Training and Tack LLC. for sponsoring me and my mustang, HesaEasyBoy. With the right combination of knowledge, training, feed, facilities and tack/equipment–Amy, and her husband Steve, are fully prepared to set a horse up with the best foundation.

Mary built Easy's confidence on cattle during sessions with Amy. He proved to be really "cowy" and he and Mary had lots of fun!

February 2010 I was one of 50 applicants accepted to be a trainer in the Extreme Mustang Makeover. I had 90 days to train a wild mustang, never before touched by a human, and compete against the other trainers and mustangs. I have never before competed in these events (trail, reining and cow work) nor had I ever trained I wild mustang!

With the skills Amy helped them build and with Mary's talent and eagerness to learn, Mary and Easy competed against nearly 40 other trainers in the final competition.

With Amy’s coaching and lessons, Easy and I made 14th overall from our combined scores against nearly 40 other trainers and mustangs. It’s truly been a privilege to ride and work with Amy and Steve. – Mary

Competing for the first time in the Extreme Mustang Makeover, Mary and Easy placed 14th overall out of nearly 40 riders and their horses. Congrats Mary!!!

By the way. I not only sponsored Mary and another talented horsewoman, Jessica, during this year’s challenge, but also ended up bringing home a couple “souvenirs” to remember the experience by.

B.I.G. (left) and Rich, formerly Fro (right).

Trained by Logan and Lanny Leach of Tucson, AZ, B.I.G. placed first in the mustang challenge and Rich placed 10th overall. I plan to keep B.I.G. for a “kids” horse….he is going to be so awesome for the grandkids (no pressure on my daughter)!  Rich, I will ride for a while and then resell. He will make a wonderful “all around” horse and will be awesome on the trail.  Both horses are kind and sensible and a joy to be around.

What a wild adventure, indeed!

Happy Trails,

Amy 

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