Calling all horse trainers: Rio Blanco County announces an exciting new event scheduled during the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials, a Meeker Mustang Makeover. Designed to showcase the horses of the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area and the training ability of regional horse trainers, both professional and amateur, the event in its first year, will pit six trainers against each other, each with a hair raising 100 days to start a wild Mustang. With a full crowd in Meeker for the Sheepdog Trials, trainers will have a unique opportunity to show what they can do on Friday night, September 6th at the Rio Blanco County/Meeker Fairgrounds.
photo courtesy of Abby Jensen Photography
With $4,000 in cash prizes for winning trainers, participants will be entitled to 50% of the proceeds of what their horse sells for when horses are auctioned off at the end of the program. Awards will be given to top three participants selected by a regional panel of three judges.
photo courtesy Abby Jensen Photography
Interested trainers should immediately contact, Billy Goedert of Meeker, who will chair the selection committee to pick the 6 trainers from those who apply for the competition. The final date for application is May 20th. Trainers will pick up their horses on June 1 at the BLM office in Meeker, CO, and show their mustang magic on Friday, September 6th at the Rio Blanco County Meeker Fairgrounds. Trainers who qualify for BLM Adoption Incentive Program will receive a $500 stipend from the BLM after the first 60 days of training.
The program is designed to help ready mustangs for adoption and use, while educating the public about the mustang population in northwest Colorado, and the Piceance-East Douglas HMA herds. Horses are all 2 and 3 years old, a prime age for training.
photo courtesy Abby Jensen Photography
The competition will include a set course for each participant and a freestyle segment as well. Selection Committee Chair Billy Goedert encourages interested participants, “This is a great opportunity for someone with horse savvy and knowledge to showcase their abilities.” The Meeker Classic is excited to include this unique, new educational and ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ competition during our event.
Interested trainers should reach out right away to: Billy Goedert: 970-629-5848 Billygoedert@gmail.com
photo courtesy Abby Jensen Photography