Mustang Heritage Foundation is what it is called. The rules for winning the privilege of being chosen for the 2008 extreme Mustang Makeover are pretty difficult. But Neely Blum of Fruita was one of 200 throughout the 50 states to be included in this project for 2008. She is actually the only one in the State of Colorado to be chosen.

The mission of the Mustang Heritage foundation is to increase the adoption of mustangs to good homes. In keeping with the mission of the Foundation, the Extreme Mustang Makeover will occur at the John Justin Arena in Ft. Worth, Texas, Sept. 18-21, 2008. The goal of the event is to promote adoption through showcasing Mustangs’ value and trainability through competition.

Two hundred wild Mustangs from Nevada will be brought to the Bureau of Land Management’s facilities in Pauls Valley, Okla., and Palomino Valley, Nev. Additional pick-up locations may be added east of the Mississippi. The 200 Mustangs will be as uniform in size, age as possible. Mustangs will be between 3-4 years of age with current vaccinations and hoovestrimmed.

Two hundred approved horse trainers will be selected and the Mustangs will be preassigned to the trainer by computer draw prior to pick-up so that appropriate health papers may be created for trainers’ home states. Trainers will pick up their Mustang at either BLM Facility (Pauls Valley, Okla, or Palomino Valley, Nev.) between June 12-14, 2008. Additional pick-up locations may be added east of the Mississippi. Trainers must meet all requirements listed below for hauling and stablingt their Mustang. The trainers will then take the Mustang to their training facility where they will have u ntil Sept. 18, 2008, to return to Ft. Worth, Texas., for the Exgtreme Mustang Makeover. At that time the trainers will compete in three areas – conditioning, citizenship (ground work) and riding the “Horse Course” (trail riding with obstacles). A panel of accomplished judges will determine winners. $50,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded.

In an effort to encourage participation from a variety of trainer styles and experience, the Mustang Heritage Foundation has created three divisions of competition for the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover, allowing you to participate at the level you and your mustang are prepared for. Divisions will be titled Stars, Idols and Legends with maneuvers and obstacles becoming more challenging as you move from a Star to a Legend.

Neely Blum had to submit a brief autobiography.

“My journey began in 1996 when I worked for Winter Ranch for three years exercising horses, fine tuning them and experimenting with techniques. I then started a wonderful working relationship with Wyatt’s Equestrian Center for seven years at which time I was an independent trainer for all the horses on the grounds from the foals to the older horses. I took in outside horses as well.

I have learned so much from so many different people through experience with each horse. I have now moved my training program to my own home which I call B & B Horses for the last three years. Here I take in horses for training. I give riding lessons for all ages and I problem solve to meet the needs of those horses.

I have two wonderful horses of my own which I also have trained and have used in competition. My experience in competition included western pleasure, halter, reining, mounted shooting endurance riding, trail riding, trail course and just pushing cows. I look forward to connecting with horses and seeing them grow, change, accept, thrive and excel with their individual abilities.”

Blum is required to pick up the horse, train it and then return the horse to a BLM facility in case it is deemed not trainable. If the training goes well, she will bring the horse to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete September 18-21, 2008. There is up to $500 in reimbursement for reasonable training and veterinary expenses. Stalls are provided in Fort Worth but no overnight facilities will be provided.

For this reason Blum is looking for sponsors and is asking for donations to help with the expenses she will incur in completing this honorable task. It is an honor for someone in this area to be trusted with an endeavor so important to helping keep these mustangs alive in the history of this country.

Blum grew up in Rifle where she attended school going on to a year of college in Denver before transferring to Mesa state. Because she blew her knee in soccer she took a year off and never finished.

“My life just took a different turn,” she said. “I then started exercising horses for a friend. Then I worked for Wyatt equestrian center. I had been interested in horses since I was a little girl. I constantly begged my parent s for a horse but we could never afford one. We didn’t think about boarding a horse or having me work in the stables in return for riding lessons.”

Blum is very enthusiastic about horses.

“I would love an after-school program with troubled kids and horses. Horses teach people more than we can teach each other. This is a fun way to test myself on my techniques and knowledge.

“When I get the mustang back here, I will take it everywhere possible. I am so excited about having the opportunity to train one of those horses.”

Anyone who wishes to help in this endeavor, please call her at 858 4467 or her cell 778 1972. You can find her at the sale barn in Loma on her mare Ginni as she works the livestock. Any donations toward the expenses for the trip to Arizona, to get the horse, then trips to Fort Worth to show her work and expenses in between, will be so much appreciated.