Overbreeding and the recession have created a nationwide surplus of unwanted horses. To help jump-start adoption of some of them, New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch (WNCR) has announced its First Annual New Mexico Trainers Challenge. Modeled on successful national contests with BLM Mustangs, the challenge has trainers spend some 70 days getting WNCR horses ready for competition and eventual adoption.

            Trainers benefit from having a chance to showcase their talents and contribution to the New Mexico horse community. They compete in two categories, each with a set course and minimum number of activities. One is starting green horses; the other is finishing horses started under saddle.

            The final competition will be held at Expo NM (state fairgrounds) on Nov. 2, right before the WNCR Cowboy Ball at Youth Hall. Plan to attend both events to support New Mexico horse rescue.

            One of five local trainers recruited for the challenge, Corrales CHAMP member Mike Sikorski is working with two horses. Shirley Temple is a 2-year-old Pinto who came to WNCR as a weanling. She has progressed to wearing a saddle and being ridden in the round pen. Canella is a 2-year-old Mustang that was picked up outside Chama last winter. Sikorski is proud of how quickly she learns. When he picked her up, Canella had not been handled. She is now wearing a saddle and just had her feet trimmed for the first time.

            WNCR hopes to expand the event next year to include more trainers and horses.

      The largest horse rescue in New Mexico, Walkin N Circles Ranch has about 85 horses in residence. It relies on donations and volunteers to help meet its goal of rehabilitating and training unwanted horses to be placed in permanent homes. Visit them at www.wncr.org or on Facebook. Contact them at (505) 286-0779 or saveahorse@wncr.org