I cant believe the time is almost here for us to show. I am excited, and nervous. I am also looking forward to meeting all the other trainers. Ruger (my large black mare) has done phenomenal, and Fallon who is the sorrel, is doing well to but at her own pace. I will only show Fallon in halter (unless she realizes the world is not out to eat her by next week).

I see the progress that all the other trainers have made and I think we all deserve to win. Great job, congrats, and GOOD LUCK. Also wanted to say thanks to Randi and all the other great BLM staff who has made this possible. I have new found love in the willing, smart nature of the mustang, and while I hope I get to keep one of my girls, I also cant wait to volunteer to train others to help them find new homes. The pic above is my beginner rider husband adding extra weight on to Rugers back.

GOOD LUCK, and see ya at the show!

Michelle Gilles

http://www.lchorserescue.com/

Trish witmen of Ocala FL, and Moon Dancer- getting ready for the Gatorland Extream Mustang Makeover. trish origanly wished for a smaller horse for the competition but probably got one of the bggiest ones,shes lovin her mare tho. has anyone else got a BIG mare?

Time has certainly flown and I've learned a lot working with the mustangs. I finally managed, with the help of a friend, to get a halter onto Ariel but after that she started displaying more aggressive behavior towards me, striking out, kicking and rearing occasionally. I've stood my ground but it was obvious to me that Ariel needed some special attention to address her issues. I have considered dropping out but while I was looking for a trainer to take her into the TIP program I received a very unusual offer. Karina Lewis from Maine has offered to come down to work with Ariel for 2 days this week and she thinks I can have her ready to go for our trip to Florida next week!! Of course I will be documenting this process and hope to create an educational DVD about Karina's training methods with some of the proceeds going to Mustang Heritage Foundation to help with their programs. Karina will be working with me on March 25 and 26 and if anyone out there has any questions you are welcome to send me an e-mail at soso@comcast.net and we will try to answer to the best of our ability. Good luck to all the competitors and I hope to see you in Florida on April 2nd.

Hi Everyone,

I am getting excited about our trip to Florida. I get to see all my family as well as show at the GEMM. Cora has been improving alot. Hopefully she will be good at the show. I think everyone has done a great job with the short amount of time we have had. I am including a pic of Cora, myself, and my Morgan gelding Rio!

Rebecca

Welcome to all of the 2009 trainers. All of you are doing such a wonderful job with your horses. Rest assured that it all seems to come together right at the end and when you get to the competition you will meet the most amazing people, all sharing one common goal. My daughter Kirstin was in the 2008 yearling competition. While there, we adopted the most fantastic horse that a person could have. His name is Taz, he is the champion of the Idol's division and he is an absolute dream come true for my daughter. For this 15 year old, this has been one heck of a year. These two have formed such an incredible bond, it's just the most amazing thing to watch. I wanted to share this video of her riding Taz bridleless, he is so in tune with her that it almost appears that she is pulling his head around when she makes him turn. You can see a whole lot more of Kirstin & Taz(as well as her time spent training the 3 yearlings) at her blog: http://www.kirstinsmustangmakeover.blogspot.com/

hello this is katie williams and this is my mustang Kit, I have only 21 days left to Compete in the gatorland extream mustang makeover.

Bowing for the first time in Tom's arena.

see more of Kit and Katie Click here

Go to tomolivetraining.com

Hi Katie,
Lauren from Louisiana, I met you when you and Tom came to Sulphur for the Horse Expo for Theraputic Riding! She's a beaut! Looks like you two have done really well! Did you ever get your blog going??? lol I'd love to see pictures, do you have them posted on Tom's webpage? Not too much longer for your competition, I know you'll do well! Keep us posted!! Good Luck!

Hi Rebecca, Lauren from Louisiana! What a wonderful story your sister wrote and I remember ALL of those tears!!!! I think yours was one of the most tender adoptions I have ever seen! I know you love him.....and I know you will do well with Cora! You just have a wonderful way when training horses and you should be very proud! Good luck with her.

We had quite a weekend filled with TONS of new obstacles and challenges. I am super pleased with Faith's progress over the last 45 days. It scares me to think the there are only 23 left....

It's very rare that I like a picture of myself, but I thought this one was nice. (There are lots more pics on my BLOG.)

Thanks for the kind words Michelle! My sister is a great support to me. I wanted to share this photo from today! No it isn't a mustang, but he is still a joy to ride and train! His name is Brody and he is a Friesian stallion!

Katie~ That picture is truly amazing. I wish Faith and I had that much trust and respect for each other.

Rebecca~ I just wanted to thank you for sharing that article. Your sister wrote a beautiful account/tribute of what happened. I found it extremely moving. I know that Cora is challenging you. However (after reading that), I know you will do fine.

Michelle (& Faith)

Hello everyone. I wanted to share an awesome article my sister wrote and got published about our journey to Texas with Bu last September! Even though I am having a completely different experience this time, with Cora, I look at Bu everyday and am thankful I get to train and work these guys for a living. Please enjoy!

http://www.everything-equine.com/Mar09.pdf

Please scroll to page 10 to read the article!

Thanks and good luck!

Rebecca & Bu

( Gatorland)

My mares are so diffrent, they are like night and day. My large black mare Ruger is coming along great and she has such a willing personality, but my second won has a strong FLIGHT instinct, every day it we start all over like I never have touched her, she looks like she my have a lot of Arabian in her foundation and acts like it to. Any input to help out with her, or even know if it is just me that has this issue please email me. Other than that I am having a lot of fun, and I hope we are ready to ride in 3 weeks. I go slow and work to make the girls a willing partner, and I just now mounted Ruger for the first time so HOPE WE ARE READY.

March 1st and still another snow storm is moving in to our area. I've been very impressed at how tough these mustangs are, taking the temperature swings very well whether from wind chills of almost zero to 50 degrees the other day. Of course the warmer days are just a teaser, there is still more winter to come.

Unfortunately I've had to pull Zephyr from the competition because she is still lame and will be unable to compete but we have formed such a strong bond that I have asked to adopt her and the BLM has approved my application.

Ariel is a hand full to say the least and now occupies my full time for the competition. She has a rather quirky personality and at this point I am going to be happy with just being able to lead her quietly, load her with no problems and have her stand for vet and farrier. I admit I'm jealous of those who are already riding but I understand that each of these animals is a unique individual and some are going to be easier than others. Fortunately the mules have been good teachers at helping her learn to trust me as you can see from the photo with the grooming brush. While brushing little Firefly, Ariel comes up seeking her own grooming time. I've taken it slow with the haltering because she was so flighty when she arrived. The slightest move and she would wheel around and run away. I've had to literally start dancing around the paddock lately, making weird moves just to desensitize her to human movement. Of course after the initial spook she always looks at me like "what do you think you're doing??" I've also been dealing with Ariel's separation anxiety issues which were rather severe to start but she is now learning how to be separated from Zephyr or the mules without throwing a tantrum. Ariel is a big beautiful girl, and very spirited, gaining her trust and teaching her that people can be ok has been an educational process.

I would like to thank Zoe at Nurtural Bitless Bridle who has donated a bridle for Ariel's training. The new bridle arrived a few days ago and so far Ariel is very interested in this new piece of equipment. http://www.nurturalhorse.com/