NAMPA, Idaho — The Mustang Mania Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) Challenge will return to Nampa on July 4-5, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Ford Idaho Horse Park. The TIP Challenge is an in-hand competition featuring both youth and adult trainers who have adopted and worked with a wild mustang for 90 days. The trainers will show their progress in a series of classes, including Conditioning and Handling, In-Hand Trail and Freestyle.
On July 5, there will be an open mustang show with a full slate of classes, including Halter, Showmanship, Western, English, Walk-Trot and Specialty. A saddle will be offered to the overall horse and rider, and a host of prizes are available to the high point winners of both shows.
The TIP Challenge is a segment of the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program. The Foundation’s mission is to increase the adoption of BLM-housed American mustangs and burros through innovative training competitions and awareness programs. The TIP Challenge was created to place these animals in adoptive homes.
8 to 17-year-olds and adults participate in the challenges by adopting and training the mustangs and burros. The participants also help promote the adoption of these national treasures by showcasing their value and trainability through in-hand competition.
Matt and Stacie Zimmerman, Extreme Mustang Makeover and TIP trainers are hosting the Challenge. They have found homes for around 300 mustangs in the past six years. In 2016, they opened a storefront wild horse training business in partnership with the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM to continue placing trained mustangs into private care.
