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Krista and Dave Looking Over Blue

The amazing journey of 2 wild mustangs:

Maria Must Tango
and
Wild Rose Must Tango

Extreme Mustang Makeover
at
2009 Western States Horse Expo

Krista and Dave Discussing Blue

Maria Must Tango

Although arguably the most beautiful of the two mustangs, Maria still has her original halter on and hasn't yet been able to leave the safety of her round pen. Since not much is known about the past histories of these mustangs, it may never be known how Maria came to be so distrustful of humans. Arriving with a mortal fear of having her face touched, she can now allow her ears and mouth to be handled quietly. When stressed, Maria becomes profoundly dangerous and it was decided that forcing her to become a domesticated animal in 100 days was unfair to both Maria, and any one involved with her. Because of the depth of her distrust, and the violence of her reactions, the very difficult decision to remove Maria from the Extreme Mustang Makeover program was made by Krista and Dave, with the full support of the Bureau of Land Management and the Mustang Heritage Foundation. There are options left for Maria to be domesticated, but in mid-June, it has been decided that Dave will apply for the Trainer Incentive Program, and will be able to give Maria another 90 days. The costs of her stay will be partially reimbursed. By the end of 2009, Sydney Blankenship has generously adopted Maria, and Dave will be able to continue the very slow work with her. He's still feeling very positive about the extremely slow work they're doing, as Maria is learning to lead and experience new situations. Dave's patience with her seems boundless and she is responding.

		In the Mustang Makeover Barn A forlorn empty stall awaited Maria .. .. .. .. .. .. and her name card was never used.

*Wild Rose Does* Tango** The first stage of the competition was work In Hand
	This is Rose's first experience in this arena with all sorts of activities going on around her. She's looking a little anxious	Her ears are focused on things going on around here and her head is held uncharacteristically high. Normally, her body is soft and relaxed. Not so this morning.
	Rose is still looking pretty suspicious. Krista is providing leadership that Rose can trust: she isn't nervous or at all concerned with their surroundings. In fact, it's business as usual for Krista. This is the most Krista can do to allay Rose's fears.
Although Rose has had plenty of positive trailering experiences, today is a new day. Rose continues to show definite signs of concern.			Shortly after this, Rose has a bad moment and feels that she must leave. The result is a rear and a bump on her forehead. The magnitude of this moment is reflected in Rose's 18th place finish In Hand. During the resulting visit with the vet later in the day, the vet remarks on Rose's quiet demeanor. His research is considering whether some horses may carry a 'quiet' gene, and he would suspect that Rose is one of those.
	If Rose knows anything, she knows her poles. But this is still a new day for her.	Standing for examination. Rose is well muscled and her weight is appropriate. Her coat gleams with good health. She receives good Body Condition scores.
Thus ends day one of the Mustang Makeover competition. Rose and Krista find themselves in 14th place overall. Tomorrow is a new day, and the work they do will count towards a full 50% of their overall standings towards the Finals. The first 10 places will proceed to the Finals on Saturday night.

*Wild Rose Does* Tango** The first two stages of the competiton were In Hand Trail and Conditioning. Rose had a bit of a spook in the trailer and placed a disappointing 16th or so In Hand. Her Conditioning was judged very fit and she tied for 5th place. This is the first under saddle portion of the competition. The horse and rider walk past/use the mounting block, walk across the bridge, lope around 3 cones (right lead). Lope to a stop and enter the box and turn each direction, exit the box and enter a chute. Back out of the chute and into another. Each rider proceeds to the end of the arena-no problem for Rose although a problem for some-to begin a 90 second Free Style presentation.
			Rose enters the arena quietly, and stands for mounting like she's been doing it all her life, not just for a few short weeks. Although some mustangs were mounted from the mounting block, others spooked at it.


Step up onto the 'bridge' .. .. ..	Pause to take a break as a reward .. .. ..	And step off: head low and absolutely composed!	Great transition to the trot .. .. ..


Trot off.. ..	And stop in the box.	Rose looses her composure for a brief moment ..	and is right back in focus.


Forward into the chute .. .. ..	Then back up.. .. ..	Around the corner .. .. ..	And stand quietly for another big reward.

Look for some important keys to Krista's success with Rose in the above sequence. :: Krista is always focused on where they're going. Even and especially when, they're going nowhere.	:: Krista never asks Rose to move faster than she's able. And on this day, she seems to be turning in the box a little slower than usual. No problem: Krista slows down and moves at Rose's pace.	:: Notice Rose's headgear. She wasn't the only mustang in a bosal, but others were carrying snaffle bits, or even a shank bit. Rose never needed to be managed by her bit as she and Krista worked as equal partners.	:: Of course you can't see it, but all this is taking place while a mounted shooting demo is going on in a nearby arena.

Work Under Saddle Free Style Presentation-90 seconds

Krista's Free Style Presentation was half of a reining pattern with simple lead changes. Although some presentations were filled with all sorts of slick tricks, when those tricks weren't flawless, it was clear that it was too much of a gamble.	Rose straddles the poles. Looks easy? Give it a try. This maneuver brought the house down in this run, and again in the finals!

			Rose owns side ways!



For a stunning final impression, Krista quietly lies Rose flat down, where she takes a deep breath and melts. You'd have thought they were home in their own arena!! Rose got up in her own time and in her own way. This performance counted towards 50% of their standings going into the Finals. It raised their overall standings from 14th place, to 4th, insuring a spot in the finals.

Rose A Quiet Moment Before the Finals

The Finals Krista and Rose earned their spot in the Finals, by taking a 4th over all in the preliminary runs.

			It's Saturday night and the sun is fading quickly. The California CowGirls have ridden their hearts out and the Finalists have made their way around the arena in parade. Each trainer is showing their horse with honor and dignity, and in the best way they can, whether it be in one hand in a shank bit at the lope, or on a lead line. John Lyons is being inducted into the Mustang Heritage Hall of Fame, the judges are about to be announced, and the Star Spangled Banner will be sung. The American Mustang will be honored and this is about as American as it gets!
A light moment during warm-ups. Whose nervous?			As the ceremonies progress, the finalists wait. Next to Krista is the eventual 2nd palce trainer whose Finals ride was based on a Zoro skit. It included a cracking bull whip and a sword fight over and around bales of hay.

	Krista has led Rose into the arena demonstrating the ground work and exercises she used to start Rose. They are based on the Classical Dressage work of Manolo Mendez. Manolo fell in love with Rose and her gentle, willing way when they met earlier this year.
This dressage training may have been a bit baffling to many in the crowd, but they sure did appreciate the effect it created as Rose walks a set of 3 poles, straddling them.
	Rose gets herself lined up, and walks the length of 3 poles, with one foot on either side of the poles. Although many of the presentations used props and skits, when the horses didn't work flawlessly, the presentation suffered badly. The most success seems to come from nothing more than excellent control and flawless communication between horse and rider. The finesse and trusting relationship Krista shows with Rose was wildly appreciated by the enthusiastic crowd.
Krista then mounted and Rose walks forwards and backwards down the line of poles.
	Rose prepares for more stunning lateral work, one of the requirements of the run. Krista and Rose showed all 3 gaits at different speeds, all with complete relaxation. Although Rose had not yet mastered flying lead changes, her simple changes were solid and she picked up her proper leads flawlessly.
Working a cow was an optional element of the Finals Run. Not particularly her strong point, Rose shows that she has the idea, at least.
.	As master of ceremonies, John Lyons greets and interviews each trainer while the judges tabulate and present their scores for Technical Work and Artistic Presentation. Krista received solid scores in both, and placed 6th over all.
	Very pleased with a well-deserved Sixth Place. The performance was followed by the Mustang auction and sale, where Rose was the third highest seller at $1600, earning Krista a 20% share for her efforts. Rose's new home will be with a Sacramento area grandma with lots of grandchildren to love, pamper, and ride the feet off of Rose. She was chosen for her quiet demeanor and lovely disposition and will surely enjoy her new home and new life.
Thanks!!
Krista would like to thank and recognize all who have helped make this journey not only possible, but a huge success. Of course, the addition of Dave Kneller into her life has changed both of their worlds! But it's the support of all her students, friends, and family, who provide the heart and soul of From Start to Foundation. From tractor work, to help with feeding and cleaning, to maintenance and gardening. From mechanical help and repairs, to training support and supplies. From making all these efforts public to providing accommodations while on the road. From entrusting our most prized mounts to her training, to adding a little something extra in the lesson check. It is truly taking a village to make this all work and Krista appreciates everyone's support as From Start to Foundation moves into it's second year in Paso Robles.

Krista@FromStartToFoundation.com

831-588-6214

1425 San Marcos Rd. Paso Robles, CA 93446