This year, more than 250 mustangs will find new homes across the United States through the TIP Challenge. The TIP Challenge was created by the MHF to increase the adoption of Bureau of Land Management-housed American Mustangs and burros through in-hand gentling/training competitions and awareness programs.
These TIP Challenges involve youth, 8 to 17 years of age, and adults, ages 18 and up. Each participant adopts a wild horse or burro for their own, gentles the animal over a period of approximately 100 days, and then competes against other participants in an in-hand competition consisting of classes such as Handling and Conditioning, Showmanship, Trail, Freestyle, and more. Through this competition, participants are helping promote the adoption of these national treasures by showcasing the animal’s value and trainability.
Currently, the Bureau of Land Management estimates nearly 70,000 wild horses roam on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 western states, mostly in Nevada, Wyoming and California. As their populations grow, events like the TIP Challenge encourage public education and adoption of these remarkable animals.
“The Mustang Heritage Foundation is excited to be able to partner with TIP trainers to produce these unique in-hand competitions,” said Randi Blasienz, MHF Director of Operations. “MHF provides support via funding and infrastructure for the production of each event. Because we’re able to supply the most necessary element, funding, more local communities are getting involved each year, allowing for an even greater number of wild horses and burros to find their forever homes.”
Held regionally across the United States, 2018 TIP Challenge event locations will include: Arizona, Utah, Oregon, California, Idaho, Washington, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Wyoming and Colorado. The full schedule, including contact information for each TIP Challenge event, can be found online on the MHF website at http://mustangheritagefoundation.org/tip/ under TIP Challenge Events. Additional 2018 events may be added.
“By offering these TIP Challenges, it has opened doors for many individuals, offered opportunities for growth, education, and has truly been a life changing experience for everyone involved,” said Annie MacDermaid, a TIP Challenge Manager for the April 28-29 event at Welcome Home Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona.
“It’s been extremely rewarding to watch the past competitors and their horses grow over the last couple years,” MacDermaid continued. “Many of the youth have now started their horses under saddle. I enjoy managing these TIP Challenges, this will be my fourth one, and I am honored to continue to be a part of something so incredible.”
About the Mustang Heritage Foundation:
The mission of the Mustang Heritage Foundation is to create and promote programs and activities that provide information and education about wild horses, elevate their image and desirability, provide opportunities to become involved in the wild horse experience and secure adequate numbers of caring homes for excess horses. Working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, the Mustang Heritage Foundation is passionate about the successful placement of mustangs into private care so future generations can enjoy this distinctive feature of our American heritage. The Mustang Heritage Foundation has placed over 9,800 mustangs into private care since 2007.
About the Bureau of Land Management:
The Bureau of Land Management removes wild horses and burros from public lands to ensure a healthy balance of land and animals. Since 1971, the BLM has placed more than 235,000 wild horses and burros into good homes nationwide. Partnerships, like the Mustang Heritage Foundation, provide the BLM with additional opportunities to place animals into good homes. Interested applicants can attend BLM offsite adoption/sales event, visit a BLM Off-Range Corral, or participate in an Internet adoption/sales event to apply to take a wild horse or burro home! To learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program, please call 866-468-7826 or visit BLM.GOV/whb.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield.
