Aiming for the 4-H set, the Mustang Heritage Foundation is putting out the word that the Yearling Mustang Challenge, with two editions, one in Texas and the other in Nevada, is open to the contestants under 18 (no bottom limit except that dictated by common sense) and will offer an "education prize" for the younger entrants. They can receive assistance in training but will have to complete the competition on their own.

Patti Colbert, director of the MHF, said the inspiration for including youth came from the crowd itself at the 2007 Extreme Mustang Challenge, where there were "hundreds of young people who were totally in awe of what these trainers were doing with these Mustangs . With this new program, youth will be able to receive a yearling Mustang that they will gentle to a halter. During the Extreme Mustang Makeover, they will compete for an educational funding purse of $10,000. We'll also have a $5,000 amateur handler division and a $5,000 professional handler division."

The MHF is seriously ramping up their efforts to get mustangs trained and thereby more adoptable. Apply here for the Yearling Challenge.

If you don't want to trek all the way to Nevada to pick up a yearling or to compete, there are many young horses at the BLM corrals in Burns right now available for adoption. They are from the Beaty's Butte, Jackie's Butte, and Murderer's Creek Herd Management Areas - check them out.

You could always be your own judge and see if you can get a yearling (or older horse) up to snuff for the following competition criteria:

"handlers receive scoring based on the body condition of their American Mustangs, as well as their ability to handle the horse "in hand" through a series of maneuvers which include picking up the horse's feet, maneuvering it through obstacles and loading it into a trailer. "

The competition yearlings will be offered for adoption at the end of the event. If you do it on your own, that horse is yours to keep.

If you aren't quite up to the task, don't have adequate facilities or lack the time to make such a big commitment (all my excuses), I recommend living vicariously through the Washington contestants in the currently running Mustang Challenges:

Midwest Mustang Challenge (April 20, Madison, WI)
Ruben Villasenor

Western States Mustang Challenge (June 6-8, Sacramento, CA)
Jamie Thomas
Tracey Westbury
Keith Danielson

Don't be shy to let them know you are following their progress by commenting on their blogs On March's many cold, muddy afternoons we can all use some applause.