Wild horses and burros gathered from overpopulated rangelands showcased in a variety of classes
NAMPA, Idaho – The Mustang Mania Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) Challenge will return to Nampa on June 30 – July 1, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Ford Idaho Horse Park (16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd). This year’s Challenge will showcase both an in-hand and under saddle competition featuring nearly 130 youth and adult trainers who have adopted and worked with a wild horse or burro since March. These animals hail from overpopulated public rangelands managed by BLM in Nev., Calif., Ore., and other western states. The trainers will now show off their progress in a series of classes, including Conditioning and Handling, In-Hand Trail and Freestyle.
While the trainers adopted the wild horses and burros that will be showcased the end of the month, many have decided to make their animal available for re-assignment following the event. This means that qualified adopters may have the opportunity to adopt the horse or burro and BLM staff will be on hand to assist with re-assignment paperwork. “Over the past several years, this event has continued to grow in popularity and this year was no exception with the highest number of participants yet,” said Boise District Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Raul Trevino. “It’s a great 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 to ease the transition for the new adopter.”
On July 2, there will be an open mustang show with a full slate of classes including Halter, Showmanship, Western, English, Walk-Trot and Specialty. Four electric scooters along with buckles will be offered to the overall youth and adult champion, and a host of prizes 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 these animals in adoptive homes. Youths 8-17 years old and adults 18 and up participate in the challenges by adopting and training the mustangs and burros. The participants also help promote the adoption of these national treasures by showcasing their value and trainability through in-hand competition.
TIP and Extreme Mustang Makeover trainers Matt and Stacie Zimmerman of Caldwell are hosting the Mustang Mania TIP Challenge and have helped close to 700 wild horses and burros find good homes in just the past ten years alone. In 2016, they 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.
For more information about the Mustang Mania event, please contact Matt at 541- 212-0035 or Stacie at 208-867-8203.
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