Mustang Mania Show this weekend at the Ford Idaho Horse Park
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NAMPA, ID – The Mustang Mania Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) Challenge, will premiere in Nampa on July 1, 2017 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Ford Idaho Horse Park (16200 Idaho Center Blvd). The Challenge is an in-hand competition featuring both youth and adult trainers who have worked with a wild mustang for 90 days and will now show off their progress in a series of classes including Conditioning and Handling, In-Hand Trail and Freestyle.
On July 2, there will be an open mustang show with a full slate of classes, including Halter, Showmanship, Western English, Specialty and Versatility. A saddle will be offered to the winner of the Versatility division, and a host of ribbons, buckles and prize money are available to the high point winners of both shows.
The TIP Challenge is a segment of the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program. The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation is to increase the adoption of BLM-housed American Mustangs and burros through innovative gentling (training) competitions and awareness programs. In keeping with this mission, the TIP Challenge was created to place mustangs and burros in adoptive homes. These challenges involve youth (8-17 years of age) and adults (ages 18 and up) in the adoption and training of mustangs and burros. Participants help promote the adoption of these national treasures by showcasing the animal’s value and trainability through in-hand competition.
TIP and Extreme Mustang Makeover trainers Matt and Stacie Zimmerman are hosting the Mustang Mania TIP Challenge. Over the past four years, Matt and Stacie have helped over 100 mustangs find good homes. They also recently opened a storefront wild horse training business in partnership with the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM to continue to place trained mustangs into private care. If you are interested in visiting the corrals and talking with one of these wild horse trainers, please contact Heather Tiel-Nelson at 208-308-3727.
The BLM manages more than 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.