$25,000 estimated purse offered to 100 trainers

One of America’s favorite equine clinicians, Craig Cameron, will join with the Extreme Mustang Makeover as it brings a Makeover to Lincoln, Nebraska, September 17-19. Competition trainers can apply now, though, for their chance at $25,000 with applications due April 1.

Cameron, of Bluff Dale, Tex., is one of the original clinicians and is on the road more than 44 weeks a year covering 80,000 miles demonstrating the style of horsemanship he has perfected in the last 23 years. Called the “public defender of the horse,” Craig dedicates himself to those who educate their horses by first educating themselves. At an age where most have long since retired the thought of starting colts, Craig Cameron known as “The Cowboy’s Clinician,” starts hundreds of horses each year; plus his four-day clinics held at his ranches in Bluff Dale, TX and Lincoln, NM blend education with entertainment.

Cameron will share some of those techniques and his expert evaluation of the Makeover horses as a clinician and the course designer for the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Lincoln.

Offering a purse of $25,000, the Extreme Mustang Makeover will accept applications for 100 trainers to compete in the event, with two competition levels offered. The Idols division will feature trainers who believe their animal has progressed to the basic skills of walk, trot and canter, as well as can load in a trailer easily and be safely handled. The Legends division will feature trainers who believe their mustang not only has a grasp of basic skills, but is also advanced in those skills and others. Applications are due no later than April 15.

The Extreme Mustang Makeover, the exclusive production of the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), provides horsemen with an opportunity to receive and train a wild Mustang for a period of approximately 100 days and then compete for cash prizes, as well as commission on any adoption fees generated during oral bidding adoption. Applications and complete competition rules are available at www.extrememustangmakeover.com or by calling 512-869.3225.

During competition, trainers are evaluated on the body condition of their American Mustangs, as well as their ability to handle the horse “in hand” through a series of maneuvers which include picking up the horse’s feet, maneuvering it through obstacles and loading it into a trailer. Following the “in hand” course, trainers will mount their animals and complete a “horse course” that will include a series of obstacles, with cattle work optional, and require the trainer to demonstrate the level of competency the horse as accomplished. Three skilled horsemen will judge the competition.

The public will be invited to participate in adopting one of the Mustang Makeover event at the close of competition. Trainers will also receive a 20 percent commission on horses adopted for $200 or more, as well as $700 reimbursement for travel costs.

The MHF in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to highlight the recognized value of mustangs through a national training competition. Presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and sponsored by Western Horseman, Smith Brothers, Martin Saddlery, Roper Apparel and Daily 72, the event will give the public a unique opportunity to see the results of wild horses becoming trained mounts and then participate in a competitive bidding process to adopt one of these treasured animals. One hundred percent of the horses placed for adoption at through Extreme Mustang Makeover events have been adopted.

The Foundation plans to place more than 1,000 horses for adoption in 2010, having placed nearly 2,000 since the beginning of the Extreme Mustang Makeover in September 2007. Since it’s creation, an estimated 100,000 fans have filled the stands and walked the barns of events held across the U.S. Fans will be able to enjoy an upcoming Makeover and adopt a gentled mustang in Albany, Ore., at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo March 19-21 where more than 30 mustangs will be available for adoption.

About the Mustang Heritage Foundation

The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustang Makeover are 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 BLM manages more land – 253 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. 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.