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Mustang Makeover

Probably the funniest-sounding federal program is the Bureau of Land Management’s National Wild Horse & Burro Program. The idea is that since wild horses have no predators, they might overwhelm vast tracts of the west, so there’s a need to manage their population. The simplest thing would be to just kill the excess horses, but the only thing Americans like more than a good steak is being sentimental about horses, so they try to have them sent out for adoption. Which, as Kiera Butler observes, leads to more funny stuff:

My favorite part of the program: Extreme Mustang Makeover, where adopters compete to see who can best “gentle” their horses. The prize ain’t too shabby: $100,000!

This actually seems to be a series of events:

August 13–14: $100,000 SUPREME EXTREME MAKEOVER COMPETITION: Adopters of the 100 “Supreme” Mustangs will be eligible to compete with the mustang for $100,000 in prize money during the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover to be held in Ft. Worth, TX, August 13–14, 2010.

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September 24–26: Extreme Mustang Makeover, Lincoln, NE: For the first the Extreme Mustang Makeover will be coming to Lincoln, NE. Joining the Extreme Mustang Makeover will be Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race. This will be an exciting weekend full of entertainment and adoption opportunities. Over 100 gentled mustangs available for adoption. 100 trainers (18 and over) and 25 youth trainers (8–18) will compete. Trainers will be able to apply for one or both: Extreme Mustang Makeover and Extreme Cowboy Race. $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Trainers can pick up their Mustang on June 11–12, 2010 at various locations.

October 22–24: Extreme Mustang Makeover, Murfreesboro, TN: The second annual Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to Murfreesboro, TN. Over 100 gentled mustangs available for adoption. 100 trainers (18 and over) and 25 youth trainers (8–18) must apply by May 15th. $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Animals can be picked up on July 9–10, 2010. Tennessee Miller Coliseum: 304 West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN (615) 494–8961.

Good luck to all the horses and competitors involved!