News Release

For Release:  March 18, 2008       
Contact:   Stephen Razo (951) 697-5217
CA-CDD-08-32

Joe Misner Takes Delivery of BLM Wild Mustang in Western States Mustang Challenge

Joe Misner of  Johnson Valley received wild mustang No. 04218971 from the Bureau of Land Management on March 7, 2008, at the Sacramento Horsemen’s Association Arena, Sacramento, CA, in the first step in the Western State Mustang Challenge as he vies for a part of the $7,500 purse. 

Joe Misner is one of thirty specially selected Challenge horse trainers from California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona who have 90 days to gentle and train their assigned mustangs in the competition.  Joe Misner and his gelding he named Laredo are competing for a part of the $7,500 purse at the Mustang Challenge, which was added to the 10th Annual Western States Horse Expo being held at Cal Expo in Sacramento on June 6-8.  Judges will evaluate each horse and trainer on conditioning, groundwork and how the horse maneuvers through an obstacle “horse course,” which simulates trail and recreational riding situations.  The public is invited to participate in adopting one of the Mustang Challenge competition animals June 8. 

The mustang mares and geldings, ranging from three to four years old, were gathered from BLM’s Twin Peaks herd area, located 25 miles northeast of Susanville, California.

The Western States Mustang Challenge is a spin-off of the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover held last year.  The Mustang Heritage Foundation in partnership with BLM created the events to highlight the value of American mustangs and showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the American West.

Wild horses and burros are managed in California in accordance with the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. This act gave the Bureau of Land Management the responsibility to protect wild horses and burros while ensuring their populations are managed to maintain or restore a thriving ecological balance.

For more information, visit  http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html or call 866-4MUSTANGS.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office – 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California - (951) 697-5220