NORCO – Joe Misner had ridden a young Mustang before through the streets of Norco — twice before to be exact — but time, it was different.

Mixing a willing 4-year-old gelding along with wisdom gleaned from six years of Extreme Mustang Makeover challenges, the trainer from Joshua Tree scored a decisive win May 17 at the EMM Trail Challenge held at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center.

“I can’t be doing it this long and not know what’s to be expected,” said Misner, who along with 29 others used 90 days to train and prepare Mustangs off four herd management areas for a competion that culminated with a freestyle event before a packed Saturday night house at Ingalls Park. “I try to concentrate on keeping it simple and building a solid foundation so that when I asked him to do something, he would understand it. I didn’t try to have him accomplished at any one thing, but rather a lot of things, combined.”

Misner’s entry, Kenai, was awarded the adult championship at the sixth annual wild horse training event held in Horsetown, U.S.A.

Entrants showcased their assigned Mustang’s skills in the arena and down the horse trails of Norco. The horses were virtually untouched before the training period began in April. Kenai, named after Misner’s hometown in Alaska, was easy to work with from the beginning, Misner said.

“He had the attitude that he wanted to be a part of something. I was leading and introducing him to new things in the first couple of days.” The handsome bay gelding was gathered from the Red Rock Lakes herd management area in California.

After finishing in the top three in three out of four preliminary classes, Misner was confident going into to the freestyle finals. “I tried to concentrate on straight horsemanship this year,” he said. “Kenai had a great stop from day one.” Misner’s freestyle performance combined horsemanship maneuvers and cow work. The win was Misner’s first championship at an Extreme Mustang Makeover event. This was the third time he competed in the Norco trail challenge.

Stacey Riggs of Eagle Creek, Ore., took reserve honors with gelding, General George. The duo performed a patriotic freestyle routine and received the fan favorite award by the participating audience. The 4-year-old gelding gathered from Paisley, Ore., also received the Cowboy Magic Shine On Award for being the best-groomed horse in the competition.

The competing Mustangs were available for public adoption immediately following the freestyle finals. All 29 mustangs were placed into new homes for an average adoption price of $1,600.

For complete event and adoption results, visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com.

New to the Norco event, eight youth trainers competed in hand with Mustang yearlings they adopted before the competition. Local resident Lacey Clarke and her gelding, Rocky, were first in the overall point standings. View highlight videos and photos from the event at www.facebook.com/extrememustangmakeover.

The Extreme Mustang Makeovers are made possible through partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and the generosity of sponsors Ram Rodeo, Western Horseman, Zoetis, Vetericyn, Gist Silversmiths, Martin Saddlery and Classic Equine, Cowboy Magic, Roper Apparel and Footwear, and Smith Brothers. Since the first Extreme Mustang Makeover event was held in 2007, the Mustang Heritage Foundation has facilitated the adoptions of more than 5,000 gentled American Mustangs. In 2014, the Foundation in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management will continue to increase its efforts to raise awareness of adoptions of America’s Mustangs.

MORE ONLINE: Http://bit.ly/406A_Mustang

2014 Extreme Mustang Makeover Trail Challenge
May 16-17, 2014 * George Ingalls Event Center * Norco, Calif.

Highest Adoption Amount (Competing Adult Mustangs)
Kenai, shown by Joe Misner and adopted by Sharon Butterfield of Orange, CA – $4,400

Top 10 Overall
Place Horse Name/ Trainer/ Compulsory/ Freestyle/ Total
1 Kenai/ Joe Misner/ 52.5/ 84/ 136.5
2 General George/ Stacey Riggs/ 43/ 91/ 134
3 Horse With No Name/ Carlos Chee/ 45/ 75/ 120
4 Dually/ Sierra Sawaya/ 49.5/ 57/ 106.5
5 Cowgirls Smoken Pistol/ Amber Bussell/ 44.5/ 61/ 105.5
6 Whiskey Jug/ Wesley Coates/ 32.5/ 59/ 91.5
7 Diez/ Jessica Dabkowski/ 38.5/ 47/ 85.5
8 Smart Lil Leo/ Selena Wilson/ 22.5/ 60/ 82.5
9 Scooter/ Travis Brown/ 20/ 53/ 73
10 Scooby/ Karysa Perez/ 29/ 39/ 68

Youth Overall
Place Horse Name/ Trainer/ Total
1 Rocky/ Lacey Clarke/ 146.5
2 Ryder/ Esther Sawaya/ 104
3 Miracle/ Ellise Ison/ 99
4 Remington/ Sofia Santos/ 93
5 Ty/ Lee Camiolo/ 92.5
6 Ryder/ Kaylie Atchley/ 82
7 Moonlight Mocha/ Jessica Dahler/ 81.5
8 Miss Arizona/ Isabella Lockhart/ 60