The 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover will feature America's best horse trainers working with 200 wild American Mustangs over 100 days. Dennis Cappel is one of two hundred horse trainers to compete. There will be several opportunities to see the mustang in person and watch training in action. The first will be on July 4, 2008 at Hope Givers Working Ranch, Silex, MO beginning at 12pm.

The purpose of the competition is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of these rugged horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the West, where they are protected by the Bureau of Land Management under Federal law. The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range to ensure herd health and protect rangeland resources. Thousands of removed animals are then made available each year to the public for adoption. All of the animals involved in the "Makeover" competition will be available for adoption at the Fort Worth event in September.

Dennis quotes: I really find that working with the mustangs is challenging, thought demanding, at times dangerous, but overall one of the most rewarding things I have done. I find myself sympathizing with and feeling for these horses because of the God given instinct to survive these animals have developed. They seem to be smarter than domestic horses yet they are vulnerable to the handler they are given. They are probably very much in the same state of mind as humans would be when captured and sold into slavery. I am sure some slave owners were good to their slaves and some were not, at any rate, the slaves had no choice in where they ended up.

I am finding , the reward for gaining trust and respect from these horses, to be unexpected. When they find they can trust you they really come to you, looking for a friend! Even as a seasoned professional where you train yourself not to become attached emotional the animals you work with, I find these horses have the ability to melt that wall of protection away from me and I am crossing into the zone I warn my customers not to get into and I am becoming attached to them. When the student is ready the teacher appears and these horses are teaching me a lot and I thank them for it and I look forward to helping others to discover what they are teaching me.

The opportunity to join me in this journey is available to you as I have picked up 3 other mustangs that on July 4th at Cappel Systems Training Facility annual BBQ I will showcase all 4 mustangs and will have an adoption auction for the other 3. The highest bid will Include training for the animal and owner through August. (buyers will need to meet adoption requirements).