95-Day Makeover for Mustangs; Adoption in Redlands

Thirty-four horse trainers from five western states will gather at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Ridgecrest Corrals on Feb. 3- 4 for the start of an intense competition to determine who among them can best train a wild mustang in 95 days. Skilled trainers will give an extreme makeover to young mustangs from the ranges of America’s public lands.  On May 18 and 19, each horse and trainer will then compete in Norco’s (Horsetown USA) Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge. 

On the first day of the challenge, Friday, May 18, trainers and their horses will be judged on how they maneuver through obstacles on trails in the hills above Norco.  On Saturday they take to the streets of Norco, navigating traffic through the city and negotiating the banks and waters of the Santa Ana River before beginning the journey back to Norco’s George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center.  That evening, the 10 horses scoring best up to that time will participate in a free-style competition for approximately $12,500 in prize money.  All competing mustangs will then be available for adoption on Sunday, May 20 by competitive bid. 

(Reporters may wish to make prior arrangements to follow a local trainer from the time of pickup at the corrals to the final competition in Norco.  The amazing transformation of mustang – and trainer -- will assuredly make for an interesting story or series. Here are the trainers’ hometowns:
Arizona:  Heber (2), Taylor; California: 29 Palms (3), Anaheim, Bloomington (2), California City, Elk Grove, Fontana, La Point, Moreno Valley, Napa, Paicines, Paso Robles (2), Perris, Riverside (2), Sebastopol, Silverado, Springville, Sun City, Sunol, Vacaville, Watsonville, Winton, Yucca Valley; Nevada: Pahrump; Oregon:  Cave Junction; Utah:  Tooele, West Haven)
 
Three burros and eight mustangs will be available for adoption at Sundance Ranch in Redlands, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 11.  Sundance Ranch is located at 27273 Pilgrim Road (off San Timoteo Canyon Road). 

A Friday preview runs from 1 to 5 p.m.  On Saturday, BLM staff will approve adoption applications from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Approved adopters may then adopt animals on a first come, first served basis.  The adoption fee of $125.00 per animal may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.
For more information about the Redlands adoption or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program, contact BLM toll free at (800) 951-8720, or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov. 

California Desert District   22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos      Moreno Valley, CA 92553