Local horse trainer groomed for ‘Extreme Mustang Makeover’
Local horse trainer groomed for ‘Extreme Mustang Makeover’
By: Courtesy of Double J Agency
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Posted by editor Tue Aug 7, 2007 10:39:44 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment Jeremy Dunn plans on taking a little of the Tehachapi Mountains with him when he goes to Texas in September for the Extreme Mustang Makeover.
“I'll probably stick out like a sore thumb, but if I'm going to Texas, I might as well take our old California traditions with me,” he said.
Dunn, 31, is one of 100 trainers selected nationwide to compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover on Sept. 22 at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He might be the perfect horse trainer for the job, but he might not even have entered if it hadn't been for his wife, Brandie.
“The thing about me is I'm not really all that big on competition, so if it was up to me I probably would never have signed up for this. But I get in competitions because Brandie signs me up,” Dunn said, sitting astride his 4-year-old bay mustang, Ojos.
Dunn picked up his mustang on July 7 from the Mustang Heritage Foundation's facility in Fallon, Nev. In three weeks, the gelding was under saddle and already working on some of the trail trial obstacles he will face in Fort Worth.
“We did a lot of ground work. I probably could have ridden him the third day if I'd wanted to, but I'll be asking a lot out of this horse,” Dunn said.
Horses will be judged on conditioning, ground work and a “Horse Course” which represents many of the obstacles found in trail and recreational riding, the
Foundation said — all after 100 days of training or less.
“One hundred days, 100 trainers - that's their motto,” Dunn said. “There will be English, Western and dressage - all kinds of different trainers there, and they'll just throw us all in together. I think what they're looking for is a good, calm horse that will sell.”
After the event, horses will be auctioned off to the public.
Dunn was chosen for the event after an extensive e-mail interview and background check by the Foundation.
“I think they were basically looking for experienced trainers, and they liked the kind of experience I had,” Dunn said.
Dunn, a graduate of Tehachapi High School and a student in the first fourth-grade class at Golden Hills Elementary School, is a devotee of the California Vaquero style of horsemanship, which draws its roots from the old Spanish influence. It is designed to produce a versatile horse with good ranch skills — soft, responsive and confident.
“I try to give horses jobs,” Dunn said. “One day I was taking water out to the cattle, so I just jumped on him and went off.”
Dunn and his wife own and operate the JB Cattle Co., on their 160-acre Broken Arrow Ranch, located at the southern end of the Tehachapi Mountain range, nestled among Tehachapi, Mojave and Rosamond. Like many small cattle operations, they hope one day to thrive while working hard to keep the ranch going.
The Extreme Mustang Makeover offers $25,000 in prize money but only $500 for expenses for the 1,400-mile trip. The Dunns will hold a fundraising barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Moonraker Ranch between Rosamond and Mojave to help pay for the trip.
“We're going to raffle some prizes and have some great food, and the public will get a chance to watch Jeremy work his mustang,” Brandie Dunn said.
For information and directions, call Brandie Dunn at 332-7249. More information on the ranch the the JB Cattle Co., can be found at www.jbcattleco.com.
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Tue Aug 7, 2007 07:04:14 PDT
Congratulations Buddy!!!!!!!!! Your family in Kentucky is so proud of you!!! Hope the fundraiser is a huge sucess sorry I cant be there till Sun. but am looking forward to vist..Tehachapi needs to be very proud!!!!!!!! Tricia