Mustang Heritage Foundation Magazine

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• The All American Mustang Trail Ride

• Healing Power of Horses: Three Points Center

• Road to the Horse

• The Mustang Heritage Spectacular

• And more...

Editor's Note

If you are like me, you are excited for winter to be over. Even in northern Florida, the cold weather does not encourage me to trail ride. With longer days and sunnier skies, it's time to hit the trails.

In this issue, learn about the All American Mustang Trail ride being held in Tennessee Uune 14-16). With over 200 miles of trails and lots of mustangs ready to explore them, the long weekend promises to be a great time for all.

Also in this issue, updates on the Mustang Heritage Foundations' sponsorships at both the Rocky Mountain Horse Show and Road to the Horse, two amazing shows that thrilled the spectators and highlighted the agility of both mustangs and their trainers.

Finally, don't forget about the upcoming Mustang Heritage Spectacular event in Tennessee Uune 20-23). With multiple events occurring throughout this action-packed weekend, $150,000 in prize money to be awarded, and tons of vendors, there will be something for everyone. Why not make it a family weekend to cheer on your favorite trainers or maybe even to participate in one of our Open events? Over 40 classes for all ages means that mustang owners, both young, not-so-young, and seasoned, can compete. We welcome spring with open arms and happy reins.

TheAllAmerican MustangTrailRide

With Spring officially here, it's time for mustang lovers to dust the winter off our saddles and turn our eyes and mustangs toward the trails.

The Equestrian Legacy Radio/Mustang Heritage Foundation's All American Mustang Trail Ride is taking place June 14-16 at the True West Horse Campground in the Big South Fork National Park on the Cumberland Plateau near beautifulJamestown, Tennessee.

Larry McMillan, owner of Southeast Pack Trip, will act as guide for the 212 miles of horse trails available in the park.

Campers will arrive on Friday at True West and enjoy the trails both Friday and Saturday. On Saturday local vendors will be present at True West for your shopping enjoyment. On Saturday evening enjoy a Chuckwagon dinner catered by Southeast Pack Trips followed by entertainment by the award winning Mary Kaye Holt. On Sunday, participants can ride on their own before departing.

Big South Fork contains some of the finest trails in the Eastern United States and folks are sure to enjoy their time there!

The Healing Power of Horses: Three-Point Center

by Rod Mayes, Three Points Center (UT)

Knowing that I grew up in Wyoming and Montana, great states of the old west, in the 1960's and 70's, might lead one to assume that I was raised on a ranch and I likely used wagons and rode horses. However, on that account they would be wrong.

I would describe myself as a "Want-to-be" or "Drugstore Cowboy'', raised in the city who only dreamed of working on a ranch and riding horses.

My grandfather, who did work cattle for a living, taught me many great sayings like, "you could stink a fly off a gut wagon" when he thought it was past time for me to take a bath. However, he sold his cattle and horses before I was old enough participate in many branding days or cattle drives.

Horses came to be a part of my blood in my teen years. I was blessed to have friends who had horses. I would jump at any chance to ride with them. I was in seventh heaven even though I was always given the horse that had only two gears, "slow" and "whoa".

I remember my first ride at age 5. This day has always stuck in my memory because it was the day, I became infected with the love

anyone to throw open the corral gate and let him dust off into the hills like the cowboys in the movies. From then on, every chance that a friend offered to go ride horses was taken with excitement and anticipated adventure.

As the years and opportunities when by, became more of a battle worn cowboy who had been thrown, run over, bucked off and left behind be his horse. Nothing gave me more pleasure than riding horses and spending the days in the hills of Wyoming and Montana with friends.

As time passed and responsibilities changed, I headed off to college, married and had 5 children. I thought my days of riding horses had run out except for the occasional visit back home to spend a week in the hills with old friends and new horses.

of horses. That 5-year-old, city slicker was so � frustrated because he couldn't convince

Over the past 32 years of providing counseling for teens and families, I have worked in hospitals, treatment centers, private practice and many other venues, but nothing has touched me or given me greater pleasure than working with humans and mustangs in the magical connection.

We still have the first mustang that I brought on our campus and trained. She has helped many kids who were having a bad day, struggling with their parents or just need a should to lean on. She has also infected some of my grandchildren with the love of horses.

It has truly been a blessing and privilege to work with mustangs and see their willingness to trust and help us each become better

Our goal is to decrease the number of wild horses and burros in government holding facilities by increasing the number of successful adoptions and placements into private care.

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Rod Mayes works at Three Points Center in Hurricane UTAH as a clinician and Equine superintendent.

THREE POINTS CENTER IN HURRICANE, UTAH

RockyMountain HorseExpo

BY CARY SCHOLTES, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS {MHF)

Mustang Heritage Foundation had a wonderful time at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo held March 15-17 at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado. Despite a major winter storm that dumped between 10 and 20 inches of heavy, wet snowonthe Denver metro area, folks still venturedout to the expo.

Once there, they could shop, attend demos, enjoy Breyerwest, and learn all about our wild mustangs with presentations by our mustang trainers during the Mustang Summit presented by EQUUS Film andArts Fest.

Mustang Heritage Foundation was the proud sponsor of the Ultimate Mountain Trail Challenge and the Extreme Mountain Trail Challenge hosted by International Mountain Trail Challenge Association in which The Mustang Heritage Foundation booth at the Rocky mustangs competed for $15,000 in MountainHorseShow. combined prizes.

Mustang Heritage Spectacular

Franklin, TN onJune20-23, 2024

Reserveyourspotnow.

$150,000 in Prize Money

Created and presented by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the purpose of the Mustang Heritage Spectacular competition is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability ofAmerican mustangs.

The Mustang Heritage Spectacular will consist of the Celebrity Freestyle Challenge, the Extreme Mustang Makeover, and a Mustang OpenShow.

Mustangs competing in the Mustang Heritage SpectacularExtreme Mustang Makeover event are wild mares and geldings, typically four to seven years old, that have been living in USFScorrals.

Approved trainers are paired with a mustang and spend approximately 120 days preparing for classes that will showcase the mustang's new skills.

Atthe conclusion of the event, all mustangs are available for adoption or purchase via public competitivebid.

Tik Maynard was the last trainer to rope his horse, but his slow and gentle play with the gelding began an incredible bond. Different from the others, Tik wore a riding helmet and is from the hunter-jumper English world. On the third round, his horse bucked and Tik flew like Superman and landed on his feet and went immediately into a kneel like Spiderman. Dan James commented on-camera it was the most incredible dismount EVER.

In the final round, Ken McNabb brought the house down as his horse did trail obstacles like a seasoned pro. The points were tallied and very close, but Team Canada took the prize with Tik Maynard in a helmet rather than a cowboy hat, tearfully thanking his horse...who "did not ask to be here but did all he was asked". The whole arena responded with leaky eyes! "This is the first belt buckle I've ever won!" he shouted with a smile

Mustang Heritage Foundation again was a sponsor for Road to the Horse, meeting hundreds of people with Mustang stories. While it was a Quarter Horse show, so many owners of other breeds proudly shared their Mustang Stories, which you will be seeing in upcoming episodes of Mustang Wild. All ages, shapes, sizes and colors of people with all ages, shapes, sizes, and colors of Mustangs were represented.

A big thank you to those who stopped by the booth and shared their stories.

We hope to see you in Franklin, TN June 20-23, 2024 for the Mustang Heritage Spectacular where Dan James, Mike Major, and a host of celebrities and even beginners will join at the Williamson County Ag Expo Center. Three shows in oneCelebrity, Extreme Mustang Makeover, and Open Show (which is filling up fast). $1 S0k in prize money- so this will be fun!

Thomas Millegan, Outreach Manager of Mustang Heritage Foundation, Tik Maynard, Winner, and Clinton Shultz, CEO of Mustang Heritage Foundation

CallingAllTrailRiders

Mustang Heritage Foundation's Trail Riding Program is designed to recognize the quality time spent between mustang and burro owners and their animals while out enjoying the trails.

• Owners and riders must be members in good standing of the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) during the time the hours are accumulated.

• Any number of mustangs/burros may be registered annually and entered by a member.

• All riding/packing/hiking must be done on trails. Arena riding and lesson hours are not eligible.

• Log sheets can be mailed or emailed monthly or whenever you complete a level.

• MHF Trail Program Log sheets must be emailed or postmarked by October 15th. Separate log books or pages must be used for each horse.

• Trail programs year runs October 1September 30.

REQUIREMENTS:

• To obtain hours, both owner and rider must be current members of MHF.

• All riding must be done on trails. Arena riding and lesson hours are not eligible.

• Ride length is determined by time in one half hour increments after the first hour.

• Log books must be postmarked by October 15th.

• Annual $25 fee per horse must be paid.

AWARDS:

• 50 hours -Jacket Patch

• 100 hours - Chevron Bar and MHF Trail Riding T-Shirt

• 250 hours - Chevron Bar and MHF Hat

• 500 hours - Chevron Bar and MHF Lead Rope

• 1,000 hours- Chevron Bar and MHFJacket

• 1,500 hours- Chevron Bar and MHF Horn Bag

• 2,000 hours- Chevron Bar and MHF Saddle Pad