The average horseperson may not know much about the American mustang. What is the breed good for? Where do they come from? Can they succeed in English disciplines? The Mustang Classic helps provide answers to these questions.

For three days in September 2024, exhibitors and their purchased or adopted mustangs will gather in Lexington, Kentucky, to compete in the Mustang Classic. The first-of-its-kind event puts mustangs to the test across the English disciplines of dressage, show jumping, arena cross country and working equitation.

But it’s not just another competition—its goal is to showcase the bond between humans and mustangs and to highlight their potential and adaptability in the equestrian world. The Mustang Classic provides an opportunity to witness the growth of mustangs who have been given successful foundations on their journeys from a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding to private ownership. 

Finding a Mustang

The competition welcomes mustangs 3 years of age and older (as of January 2024) who were adopted or purchased at a BLM off-range corral or BLM satellite event. Mustangs must have been adopted during the eligibility window of September 8, 2023, through June 1, 2024. But how did riders go about adopting their mustangs?

“There are holding facilities across the United States,” explained Matt Manroe, the executive director of Mustang Champions. “You can go to BLM.gov/WHB—Wild Horse and Burro Program—to find out where the holding facilities are.” A mustang owner himself, Manroe knows the ins and outs of finding and adopting the breed.

“There are also satellite adoptions across the U.S. that are more prevalent in the eastern part of the country,” he explained. “It’s called the ‘online corral.’ You can go online to see photos and videos of mustangs available for adoption or purchase.”

As for getting your mustang to its new home, Manroe says you can purchase the horse online and have it shipped as close to you as possible, or they can be shipped to a satellite adoption facility.

Between Adoption and the Mustang Classic

In order to be eligible to compete in the Mustang Classic, horses must have been in training between 100 days and one year. But a lot of growth must happen in that relatively short time period and step one is the “first touch.”

“Most mustangs have none or very minimal handling,” Manroe noted. “They may have been in a chute and then into a confined corral for foot trimming, vaccinations and castration if needed, but that’s about as much as they’ve been handled. When you first take your new mustang home, be prepared that the horse won’t likely want to associate with you.”

So, how do you start to engage with your new mustang and encourage him to be curious about interacting with you? The process is called “gentling.”

“Keep in mind that as prey animals these horses very much have that strong fight or flight instinct,” Manroe said. “That’s all they’ve known, and it sometimes can be a difficult hurdle to overcome.”

And though it takes time and patience, Manroe noted that in his experience mustangs bond with their humans differently than most domestic horses, especially if you’re the person who gentles them.

“As your mustang starts to trust you after that first touch, you will be able to make more and more progress in his training. Like leading with a halter, picking up all four feet, loading into a trailer and being groomed,” Manroe shared from his personal experience with the breed. “We did a lot of groundwork with our yearling mustangs. So, by the time we put a saddle on them, they already knew how to side pass. It was a really interesting process. Eventually, you get the saddle pad and saddle on, and then you get on. It’s just like working with any green horse.”

Focus on Compassionate Training

The Mustang Classic stresses that all training in preparation for the competition should be humane and compassionate and that the mustangs should be treated with dignity and respect. Competitors found using abusive or excessive training techniques or actions deemed inhumane toward a mustang will result in immediate disqualification.

In addition, all exhibitors must complete the online Mustang Training Readiness Curriculum. “We’re really trying to improve training techniques,” Manroe said. “And to provide people with resources to help them better understand how to work with mustangs versus domestic horses.”

Before the big event, competitors must show proof that they’ve shown their mustangs in one qualifying event, which is defined as any organized competition consisting of three or more horses.

The 2024 Mustang Classic

This year’s Mustang Classic will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from September 13 through 15, where $125,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded, with $50,000 going to the champion.

Exhibitors will compete in three of four preliminary classes—Training level dressage, show jumping and either arena cross country or working equitation. Each class will demonstrate the mustang’s willingness under saddle.

Training Level Dressage: Mustangs will perform the 2023 USEF Training level test 2 before a single judge.

Show Jumping: Mustangs will jump a course of eight to 12 efforts, including one combination. The class is offered at two heights—12 inches maximum and 2-foot-3 maximum. Judges will award a score of 0 to 10 for each jumping effort based on:

1. Way of moving: balance, stride, adjustability and rhythm

2. Acceptance of rider’s aids

3. Straightness between fences and over the jumps

4. Relaxation, confidence, carefulness

5. Jumping technique

Arena Cross Country: Mustangs will compete over a USEA Starter level cross-country course of approximately 10 obstacles in an arena. The jumps will have a maximum height of 2-foot-3 and judges will award a score of 0 to 10 for each jumping effort based on:

1. Rideability

2. Between fences

3. Form over fences  

4. Open gallop

Working Equitation: Mustangs will perform a USA Working Equitation (USAWE) Ease of Handling course at the Novice level with a minimum of 10 obstacles. Judges will award a score of 0 to 10 for each obstacle.

The Grand Finale

At the conclusion of the preliminary classes, the top 10 performing mustang-and-rider pairs will compete in the championship finals inside the Rolex Stadium.

The final event is a freestyle performance to encourage creativity. Exhibitors will incorporate props, costumes and music to demonstrate the skills and talents of their mustangs through choreographed maneuvers. Each pair will have three-and-a-half minutes to entertain the crowd by demonstrating quality horsemanship and showing off the partnership they’ve developed with one another.

The final score will be a combination of 40-percent Training level dressage (carried over from preliminary competition) and 60-percent freestyle performance.

The winner of the 2024 Mustang Classic will be awarded $50,000. But prize money aside, the goal of the event is to champion American mustangs. It strives to bring attention to their intelligence and trainability, and ultimately, find them safe, loving homes where they have an opportunity to thrive.

“We want to encourage people to engage with mustangs at any level, whether that involves competition or simply attending the event,” Manroe said. “We’re working very hard to make the finals a fun party, whether you’re into mustangs or not.”

Mustang Classic at a Glance

• What: 2024 Mustang Classic
• When: September 13-15, 2024
• Where: Kentucky Horse Park, Rolex Stadium, 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, Kentucky

Schedule

• September 13, 2024: Training level dressage (9 a.m. and 2 p.m. EST)
• September 14, 2024: Working equitation and arena cross country (8 a.m. EST); show jumping (1 p.m. EST); awards ceremony and Top 10 announcement (6 p.m. EST)
• September 15, 2024: Mustang Classic Championship Final (1 p.m. EST)

How to Watch

• In person: Events on September 13 and 14 will be free to the public. Tickets will be sold for the Mustang Classic Championship Final on September 15 for $30 per ticket. Click here to purchase.
• EQUESTRAIN+ will live stream the entire event for free. You can also view footage after the event with a subscription.

For More

• For more information on the 2024 Mustang Classic, click here.
• Read about eventer and dressage trainer Chelsea Canedy and her journey with mustang mare Luna in preparation for the Mustang Classic here.
• To read about five-star eventer Elisa Wallace’s preparation for the Mustang Classic and her experience working with Mustangs, click here.