The richest Western discipline mustang competition.

SOUTHPOINT ARENA I LAS VEGAS, NEVADA I JULY 11-13, 2024

The goal of The Mustang Challenge is to showcase the skill and adaptability of the American mustang and the talented trainers that work with them in the Western discipline. The event will provide the public an opportunity to witness a mustang that has been given a foundation for success on its journey from government holding to private ownership. 

The Mustang Challenge is open to exhibitors (ages 18 and older) that have adopted or purchased a BLM mustang between September 8th, 2023 and May 1st, 2024. Exhibitors must adopt or purchase their mustang from approved BLM Wild Horse & Burro facilities, approved satellite events, the Wild Horse & Burro Online Corral or any approved facility. All mustangs should be registered with Mustang Champions after adoption or purchase. As an exhibitor you will be able to compete with up to two mustangs. You do not need to own the horse to compete. All exhibitors must complete the Mustang Trainer Readiness Curriculum prior to entering the Mustang Challenge completion. All exhibitors must show proof of pre-Challenge show competition experience prior to the Challenge competition July 11-13.

$125,000 in total cash and prizes.

Preliminary Classes I Thursday & Friday, July 11-12

Reining Pattern 

This pattern is intended to judge the horse on movements, mastery of a prescribed maneuver and attitude as he is guided through a series of patterns. The horse is required to perform a number of stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles at a lope. The mustang should be willing to be guided with little or no resistance.

Trail Class

This class is designed to show a horse's ability and willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of him during the course of a normal trail ride. Exhibitors will be asked to lead and ride their horse through a course of generic obstacles and maneuvers.

Ranch Class

This class measures a mustang's ability to be a pleasure to ride while being used to perform one ranch task to another. The horse and rider are asked to perform a pattern that includes changes of gait, extension of gait, crossing logs, lead changes, opening gate and dragging an object. All maneuvers should be performed as if the horse were being used on a ranch, and the horse should demonstrate a high level of training, relaxation and quality of movement in all gaits.

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Mustang Challenge Freestyle Finals I Saturday, July 13

$50,000 to the Champion

The top 10 performing exhibitor and mustang pairs will be invited to compete in the fourth and final class, a freestyle performance to determine the Mustang Challenge Champion. The finals event is designed to encourage exhibitors to showcase the athletic abilities of the mustang to the crowd in an exciting and appealing way. The exhibitor will have three and a half minutes to feature their mustang through a creative display of choreographed maneuvers that entertain the crowd and demonstrate their horsemanship. The exhibitor may incorporate props, costumes, and music to demonstrate their skills and the talents of their mustangs.

PAYOUT:

Mustang Classic Freestyle Finals guaranteed payout: 

$50,000 - Champion

2nd - $20,000

3rd - $12,000

4th - $8,000

5th - $5,000

6th - $2,000

7th - $2,000

8th - $2,000

9th - $2,000

10 - $ 2,000

Class prize money 

1st - $3k

2nd - $2k

3rd - $1k