The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was proud to witness the presentation of two trained mustangs to Southern Methodist University (SMU), during a press conference in Dallas held by famed wild horse advocate Madeleine Pickens, Sept. 30, 2009. Ms. Pickens was instrumental in orchestrating the adoption of the two mustangs, El Compadre and Felio, from the BLM during the recent Extreme Mustang Makeover competition held in Fort Worth, Sept. 18-20, 2009. The Fort Worth competition is one of dozens of "trainer challenge" events held around the country by the Texas-based Mustang Heritage Foundation. The Foundation recruits trainers to take BLM wild horses, refine them in 100 days, then convene to vie for lucrative prizes in professionally judged horse shows. The trained mustangs are then made available to the public through the BLM's Adopt-a-Wild Horse or Burro program.  | Ms. Madeleine Pickens, center, formally presents two adopted BLM mustangs to Southern Methodist University, during half-time at the SMU-Navy football game, Saturday, October 17, 2009, in Dallas. At left, El Compadre and trainer Jesus Jaruegui.
At right, Felio and trainer Scott Stinemetz. |
The two mustangs made their formal debut during halftime festivities of SMU’s contest against Navy Oct. 17, 2009. "I'm sure there are people wondering why we are doing all of this," said Ms. Pickens. "One of my life's passions is to protect and save America's Wild Horses – a living symbol of our American heritage and freedom. What better place to get the word out about protecting and saving wild horses than Dallas, Texas, and a football game at the home of the SMU Mustangs!" "The BLM couldn't be more thrilled about what Ms. Pickens is doing to call attention to this valued resource," said Paul McGuire, BLM regional spokesperson of Moore, Oklahoma. "Adoption is perhaps the single most effective way that regular folks can support the goals of the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program. Ms. Pickens is definitely leading by example, and we applaud her for that". El Compadre, a three-year-old bay gelding gathered from the Maverick Medicine herd management area, will be under the hand of trainer Jesus Jaruegui of Bailey's Harbor, Wis. El Compadre and Jaruegui were among the top 10 finalists in the Legends division at the Makeover in Fort Worth.
The black gelding, Felio, also a three-year-old, had trainer Scott Stinemetz of Great Bend, Kan., in the saddle. Felio, was among the top 20 in the Legends competition category. He was gathered from the Owyhee region of Nevada.
Currently, the mustangs are under the care of SMU Equestrian Team Head Coach Haley Schoolfield. 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 Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing 256 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 220,000 wild horses and burros into private care through adoption. For more information, please call 866-4MUSTANGS. |
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