Heidi Brown, a Las Vegas resident and experienced horse trainer, recently adopted Raya, a five-year-old wild mustang, from a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facility in Utah. Brown has been training Raya using positive reinforcement and trust-building techniques to transition her from an untamed wild horse to a show competitor. Brown and Raya participated in the Mustang Challenge, a three-day event at South Point arena that showcases the skills of newly trained mustangs, aiming to highlight the intelligence and versatility of these often undervalued horses.

The Mustang Challenge, organized in partnership with the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, features horses with less than nine months of training competing in trail, reining, and ranch riding classes. The event not only demonstrates the capabilities of mustangs but also offers a substantial prize purse, with finalists competing for a $50,000 grand prize. While some trainers sell their trained mustangs after the competition, Brown is considering keeping Raya as her own show horse, reflecting the strong bond formed through their training journey.