My Extreme Mustang Makeover Youth 2015 Blog by Melia Gore

My Extreme Mustang Makeover 2015 Blog by Youth Trainer, Melia Gore

About this Blog

This blog will be a running journal featuring the lessons and training techniques that Melia Gore will be using to gentle her wild mustang for the 2015 Extreme Mustang Makeover competition to be held in Fort Worth Texas on September 10-11, 2015. It will document her training goals, what lessons she is working on, why she is working on those lessons, as well as featuring photos and videos of the progress Melia and her Mustang are making along with general horsemanship and safety. All of the training is halter and groundwork only, as the mustangs are yearlings and not old enough to be ridden. The Youth division of the event is for ages 8-18.
What is the Extreme Mustang Makeover

The Extreme Mustang Makeover is an annual event held by the Mustang Heritage Foundation. The purpose of this competition is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the West where they are protected by the BLM under federal law. The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range to ensure herd health and protect rangeland resources.

The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the goal of the Extreme Mustange Makeover events are to increase the adoption of Mustangs across the country. Youth Trainers selected to compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover will have 100 days to gentle a randomly assigned wild horse. The youth will compete in a series of classes that will showcase their new skills. Horses will compete in handling and conditioning, leading trail, and a freestyle class.

Melia Gore Biography

Melia Gore is a 12 year old horse crazy surfer girl who has grown up on the beaches of South Padre Island, Texas. Along with her brother, Micah, she has been studying Clinton Anderson’s Downunder Horsemanship Method as part of her homeschool curriculum for three years. Melia and her best friend, Texas (her 5 year old Paint/Quarter horse gelding), passionately work on their groundwork and riding exercises. This has allowed them to be safe and successful on trail riding, barrel racing, and team penning. After going to her first BLM mustang adoption, Melia decided that she would like to take her horsemanship skills to the next level by challenging herself to gain the trust and respect of a wild mustang.