Teens go all-out to be selected to for Teens and Oregon Mustangs Youth and Yearling Event!

20 children between the ages of 10-18 are putting in their applications to be selected into the Teens and Oregon Mustangs Program.  The application deadline is April 25; selected teens will pick up their yearling mustangs at Fitzgerald Farms in Yamhill, OR on May 17 and get ready for a busy summer! The twenty trainers selected for this year’s event will have only those 98 days to gentle, ground train, improve overall body condition, prepare for showmanship, and expose their yearling horses to trail obstacles before the conclusion of the event on August 23, 2014.  The final event will allow each trainer will showcase their Mustang’s progress and success at the Yamhill County Fairgrounds; 2070 NE Lafayette Ave, McMinnville, OR; where they will compete against one another for the title of Teens and Oregon Mustang Champion and a trophy saddle.

The purpose of this competition is to showcase Oregon youth and the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the West. The mustangs are protected by the BLM under Federal law and periodically excess animals from the range are removed to ensure herd health and protect rangeland resources.  Thousands of these horses are then made available each year to the public for adoption.  The yearling mustangs in this program were gathered from Oregon herd management areas by the BLM.  The mustangs that are not being adopted by their trainer/trainer’s family will be available through an oral bidding auction at the final event showcase on August 23, 2014.  Horses will also be available for pre-bidding online throughout the 98-day competition at the Teens and Oregon Mustangs website.

Adoption fees will be set by competitive bid with initial fee of $25 being determined by the BLM.  Proceeds from the auction of the mustangs will go directly to the trainer. To qualify to adopt, one must be at least 18 years old, with no record of animal abuse.  In addition, adopters must have suitable facilities and can adopt no more than four animals (maximum is four untitled BLM animals at one time in one person’s “care”).  Adoption applications may be obtained and approved at the final event.  Forms and additional information may also be found at the link shown for the BLM.

This event is sponsored by the Mustang Heritage Foundation through their Youth and Yearling (YAY) program.  They provide monetary as well as process support for this event.  The YAY program was created to assist TIP (Trainer Incentive Program) trainers to sponsor youth events in their local communities and allow those 18 years old and younger to experience the mustang horse up close and personal.