The magic of the wild horse returns to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo for the 10th straight year when Mustang Magic brings its unique competition to the John Justin Arena January 18-20.
A production of the Mustang Heritage Foundation, Mustang Magic has become an annual favorite for Stock Show patrons who are witness to the exceptional relationship that often develops between horse and trainer. The competition will feature 23 men and women who will be showing mustangs, that just months earlier, were roaming wild on the ranges of the American West. With only 100 days with which to train their animals, these horse men and women will astound fans with the skills and talents of their formerly wild charges. Trainers hail from across the nation, with three from North Texas returning, including Jonathan “J-Dub” Weisinger and Ginger Duke.
Trainers will compete in a series of preliminary classes including handling and conditioning, a pattern class, trail course and compulsory maneuvers. The Top 10 trainers will then compete in a freestyle performance for their share of $10,000 on Saturday, January 20 at 6 p.m.
Horses will be available for purchase to the public following the finals performance. For more information, visit www.fwssr.com or mustangheritagefoundation.org/magic.
Among the highlights of this year’s Mustang Magic program will be a performance by Bobby Kerr of Hico and his mustangs, Poncho and Trigger. Kerr’s act, which features his horses performing a variety of challenging tricks and stunts, was honored last month as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s top specialty act of 2017.Â
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 9,500 mustangs into private care since 2007.