With only approximately 120 days to train their mustangs, previous top-placing trainers from across the United States will be headed to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the invitation-only Mustang Magic competition. This event will be held Jan. 24 to 26, 2019, as part of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
In September 2018, select trainers were assigned three-to-six-year-old mares to prepare for the Mustang Magic competition. The goal of the event is not only to give these talented trainers and mustangs a chance to compete, but also to get more mustangs out of holding and into private care.
The 2019 trainers are: Cory Borque of Abbeville, Louisiana; Rebecca Bowman of Emerson, Georgia; Luke Castro of Rialto, California; Jeff Cook of Tuscon, Arizona; Eva Crossman of Lexington, Kentucky, Jessica Dabkowski of Laporte, Colorado; Ginger Duke of Springtown, Texas; Riva England of Caddo Mills, Texas; Isidro Espinoza of Snowflake, Arizona; Rachel Fleury of West Simsbury, Conneticut; Cavin Graham of Lafayette, Georgia; Erika Hunter of Mancopa, Arizona; Shoma Keenon of Darton, Texas; Genevieve Mallow of Keyser, West Virginia; Joshua Mani of Jerome, Idaho; Laura Payne of Spring Creek, Nevada; Diana Shipley of Olathe, Colorado; Stan Smith of Athens, Alabama; Sam Van Fleet of Williston, Florida; and Sharla Wilson of Kingman, Arizona.
Preliminary classes will begin Jan. 24, 2019. Following each class, interested buyers will have the opportunity to meet the mustangs and visit with the trainers. The Top 10 horse-and-rider duos will advance to the freestyle finals on Saturday, Jan. 26. Interested buyers will be able to purchase these mustangs after the Jan. 26, 2019 performances.
“We are honored to hold our event during the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo,” said Kali Sublett, executive director of the Mustang Heritage Foundation. “This is a wonderful way for us to kick off a new year of competition. We are looking forward to this event and can’t wait to see what new and exciting freestyles our past top competitors can come up with.”
Mustang Magic is open to the public and will require a general admission ticket Jan. 24 and 25 to get on the grounds. Mustang Magic tickets for the Jan. 26 evening Freestyle Finals are $25, which includes a general admission ticket. Tickets are on sale now through the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo website and are typically sold out by the end of December. Get yours at https://fwssr.com/mustang-magic/.
For more information about this event, accommodations, the list of trainers, or directions visit https://mustangheritagefoundation.org/mustang-magic/.
Presenting sponsors for the 2019 Mustang Magic event are the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Lone Star Ag Credit. The event is also made possible through a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program.
