Wyoming State Office
| Contacts: | Sarah Beckwith | |||
| 307-347-5207 |
Mustang Days Wild Horse Competition and Adoption a Huge Success
After a competition between 55 contestants and their horses, and an adoption that found homes for 15 gentled wild horses, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 3rd annual Mustang Days, held last weekend at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas, was considered a huge success by participants and spectators alike.
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 Senior Overall Winners (L to R): Randy Teeweun (Encana) presenting high point saddle, Kathi Wilson, Tom Hagwood (with daughter Tommi Jean), Steve Mantle (Mantle Wild Horse Training Facility), Dawn Helms and Scott Fluer (BLM). |
The junior division saddle was awarded to Justin Martin of Riverton and his mustang, Irene, who impressed the judge in the junior trail and junior western cow handling events. Kathi Wilson of Cheyenne claimed the senior high point saddle for the second year in a row with her impressive gelding, Snickers, earning high marks in the freestyle and halter classes. In addition to the saddles, prizes were awarded to the top three individuals in each class and ranged from saddle blankets to new head stalls for their mustangs.
On Saturday, trainers from the Wyoming Honor Farm and Mantle Wild Horse Training Facility showcased nine saddle-started Wyoming wild horses. The crowd favorite for the trainer showcase was Nick Mantle of Mantle Wild Horse Training Facility riding Roscoe. The estimated 550 people who attended Saturday’s event were able to see what wild horses are capable of doing with time and training. The nine showcase horses were all adopted by competitive bid for an average of $611 each. Six halter-started horses were also adopted and the high bid of the adoption was $1,100.
A new addition to the lineup was truly a highlight of this year’s Mustang Days—the U.S. Border Patrol and their trained wild horses opened the festivities both days and told stories of experiences with their mustangs on backcountry patrols.
In addition to the Mustang Days events, the BLM donated $1,500 to Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom. Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom strives to develop an understanding of agriculture and natural resources through education.
BLM partners in the event were Encana Oil and Gas of Wyoming, Cody-based wild horse advocacy group Friends of a Legacy and JL Blair Saddlery in Douglas. "These groups sponsored Wyoming Mustang Days and provided funding for the prizes and overall support of the event," said BLM Wild Horse Specialist Scott Fluer. "We could not have had a successful event without them."
Contestants were grinning after they left the arena and many are already planning their returns and routines for the 4th Annual Mustang Days. The event, which has grown each year, promises to be even bigger and better next year.
For more information about the BLM Wyoming wild horse program and future wild horse adoption opportunities, visit www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Wild_Horses.html.
 Regan Allen and her horse Blackie show her ribbon for the children’s lead line class. |
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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.
Wyoming State Office 5353 Yellowstone Cheyenne, WY 82009