Best of HN 2013, #19: 7 Unbelievable videos from the 2013 Mustang Million
Between now and the New Year, we’re counting down HN’s most-read stories of 2013. With 25,815 views, here’s #19.
“7 Unbelievable videos from the 2013 Mustang Million” by Lorraine Jackson, published Sept. 23, 2013:
Top: Bobby Kerr and Trigger, photo courtesy of Michelle Stockton
From Lorraine:
An epic event put on by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the Mustang Million asks trainers from all over the country to take an untouched wild horse from the BLM and turn it into a star with only 100 days of blood, sweat, and tears. (Preferably the trainers bleed and the horses sweat!) The grand prize is $200,000 and a brand new truck. Trainers flood into Fort Worth, Texas, with over 600 mustangs in hopes that their compulsory trail, reining, and horsemanship classes will qualify them for one of only 20 spots in the Freestyle Finals. The Freestyle allows for any props, costumes, or tricks that you can safely fit into four minutes. All I can say is… HOLY MOLY.
(I also heard that at least one of the horses went for more than $25,000 in the adoption auction!)
Champions Tom Hagwood and Merv–a reining/trail/roping routine that would put Quarter Horse World to shame:
A Horse, a “Wagon”, a Truck, a Dream:
Bobby Kerr and Trigger perform a trick I would rather die than ever perform ever, let alone without a bridle.
Eventer Elisa Wallace puts a new spin on the compulsory reining class with her mustang, Rune, who Wallace plans to keep as an eventing prospect. They did not make the finals, but their reining dressage is so worth a watch!
5th Place finishers overall Mary Kitzmiller and Gandalf the Bay have convinced me that I need a 10 foot pole. Badly.
This video makes me feel a little bad about myself that my mustang only just agreed to put both front feet on a stationary bridge 3 inches above the ground:
Last but certainly not least (My personal favorite, and I think possibly the crowd favorite!), Third Place finishers Bobby Kerr and his other mount, Jinglebob pulling out all the stops. Also, I want that calf.
Okay, okay, and we we have to make it 8, because it would be a TRAVESTY for me to leave out the youth highlight reel. These kids actually do all the ground training themselves, under the watchful eye of Mustang Million adult trainers, and some of it is just as ridiculous as the mounted stuff! Also, it makes me cry. Is that normal?
Go Mustangs.
Lorraine Jackson grew up on a ranch in central Utah where she had more chores than friends, but having horses made it all worth it. She learned to ride under the great tutelage of her mother, the United States Pony Club, and her local 4H Horse Program Chapter. She took time away from horses to get a degree, go to work, and get married, but now enjoys writing about horses as much as riding them. She recently adopted her new mount, Moriah Itxara (Icha for short!) from the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program. Read more from Lorraine at TheUtahTrotter.com
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