The annual Mustang Heritage Foundation invitational trainers challenge, Mustang Magic, came to a conclusion at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Jan. 25. Arianne Hagwood of Torrington, Wyo., and 6-year-old Mustang mare, Amy, were named champions of the freestyle finals and were awarded $3,500.

Nineteen trainers from California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Arkansas, Colorado, and other states traveled to Texas with mustangs they had gentled and trained since September 2013 to compete for their share of $10,000. The mares, ages 5-7, were gathered from herd management areas in Oregon, California, Nevada, and Wyoming.

"Mustang Magic is one of our most exciting events of the year," said Kali Sublett, executive director of the Mustang Heritage Foundation. "All of the competing trainers have placed well in previous Extreme Mustang Makeover events and they know how to prepare a mustang for competition and adoption."

Preliminary competition began with trainers competing in classes including, mustang maneuvers, handling and conditioning, an obstacle course, and compulsory maneuvers. The top trainers then moved on to the freestyle finals, which gave them an opportunity to show their mustang’s skills while using choreographed props and music.

Hagwood, who came to the finals with a strong compulsory score, showed her mare’s talents in reining and cow work.

"Amy is a sweetheart," she said. "I am fortunate to have gotten her for this competition. She tried hard during the prelims and held everything together during our freestyle finals performance. I was especially proud of her run in the com