Branded Bonanza competition this weekend at Ford Idaho Horse Park

NAMPA, Idaho–The Bureau of Land Management co-sponsored Branded Bonanza kicks off this weekend at the Ford Idaho Horse Park, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa on July 4-6, 2025. Beginning at 7 a.m. each day, the Bonanza will showcase an in-hand and under saddle competition featuring nearly 70 youth and adult trainers, who have adopted and worked with a BLM wild horse or burro since February. These animals were gathered from overpopulated public rangelands managed by BLM in Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, and other western states. The trainers will show off their progress in a series of classes, including Handling & Conditioning, Trail, Pattern and Freestyle.

While the trainers adopted the wild horses and burros that will be shown, many have opted to make their animals available for re-assignment following the event, giving qualified adopters the opportunity to take home a wild horse or burro, which has received basic training. BLM staff will be on hand to assist with re-assignment paperwork.

“We appreciate all the trainers who took on a wild horse or burro this past spring and look forward to seeing how the animals have progressed in their training,” said BLM Boise District Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Raul Trevino. “This event provides a good opportunity for those who are interested in adopting a mustang or burro available for re-assignment to begin with an animal that has a few months of training, essentially easing the transition for the new adopter.”

On July 6, there will be an open mustang show with a full slate of classes including Halter, Ranch, Trail and Games. Buckles will be awarded to the overall youth and adult champions, and a host of prizes are available to the high point winners of both shows.

While many training competitions exist, Branded Bonanza builds upon the success of Mustang Mania, created and hosted by Matt and Stacie Zimmerman since 2016. “The goal of this competition is not to ‘win,’ but rather offer an opportunity for the trainer to improve their horsemanship and the wild horse or burro to gain the skills they need to be successful in their new, domestic life,” said Branded Bonanza Outreach and Education Coordinator Ann Souders.  “Our sincere hope is for the trainers to have fun as part of this competition and to come out of it with a sense of accomplishment and renewed love of America's wild horses and burros.”

There were 98 wild horses and burros adopted for this event, representing over $1.4 million in savings for the American taxpayer for caring costs over the lifetime of those animals. For more information about the Branded Bonanza event, please contact Matt Zimmerman at 541-212-0035.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  

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