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Local girls participate in Mustang Makeover

Local girls participate in Mustang Makeover
COURTESY PHOTO Caitlin Granberry shares a special moment with Mina Caliente. The brand on the horse’s neck is used as identification by the Bureau of Land Management to identify the mustang’s origin.
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Wilson County News
July 1, 2008
9 comments

STOCKDALE -- Two incoming freshman students at Stockdale High School are among six area students selected to compete in the “Mustang Makeover Mission 007: Yearling” competition. The yearling edition of the Extreme Mustang Makeover first held in September 2007 is open to youth, amateur, and professional competitors.

Kirstin Koehler and Caitlin Ryan Granberry, both of Stockdale, will be competing in the 4-H, FFA, and Youth Scholarship Division with $10,000 in scholarships to be awarded in the competition.

Kirstin and Caitlin are not only involved in the Mustang Makeover project, they are both members of the Comal County Wrangler Youth Drill Team. The drill team performs intricate maneuvers on horseback at area rodeos and parades. The drill team practices once a week, usually about 2-1/2 hours.

Michelle DeLeon, the Comal County drill team coach, was instrumental in getting these girls involved in the Mustang program. Caitlin’s mother, Carol Castaneda, trims horses for Michelle on the drill team and introduced the girls to the program.

Kirstin is the 14-year-old daughter of Lt. Col. Steve and Priscilla Koehler. Kirstin is working with two fillies, Miadoda -- Mia for short -- and Halona, and one gelding, named Traveller. “Kirstin had studied about Gen. Robert E. Lee and learned that his favorite horse was named Traveller and she instantly liked the name,” Priscilla said.

Kirstin has been riding horses all her life and has six other horses with her parents and sisters.

Caitlin is the 13-year-old daughter of George and Carol Castaneda and Curt Granberry. Caitlin is working with a filly named Mina Caliente, “hot” in Spanish.

Caitlin plans to train as a barrel racer. Her family presently has 12 other horses on their ranch. Caitlin has a sister and one brother.
This makeover event, according to a Mustang Heritage Foundation press release, will “showcase the first opportunity for youth age 18 and under to interact with and train a wild horse. A total of 97 trainers from seven states will show 131 American Mustangs during the competition, with a dozen of those being youngsters ranging in age from 9 to 18.”

These horses are gentle, but straight from the wild, and the trainers must get the horse to trust them so training is possible.

All the mustangs come from Fallon, Nev., and are branded with identification numbers on the neck by the Bureau of Land Management, Carol said.

Participation in the Mustang Makeover is by invitation only, by means of applications. The applicant must qualify to receive a mustang by having some experience with horses and the proper facilities to keep and train the horse.

Kirstin’s and Caitlyn’s first exposure to the mustangs occurred May 23 in Elgin, when they picked up the horses. These young ladies will groom, train, and care for the horses until the competition in Fort Worth in September.

Carol spoke of Caitlin’s first experience with Mina Caliente. The filly was at first curious, but after one or two weeks, Caitlin was able to rope and halter Mina.

During the September competition, handlers will be judged on the body condition of the mustangs; the ability to handle the horse “in hand,” including picking up the horse’s feet; loading the horse into a trailer; and working the horse through obstacles.

After the competition, the horses will be available for adoption in a silent auction. The trainers must decide to adopt the yearling prior to the competition that will begin Sept. 18. Kirstin is hoping to keep one or two of the horses she is training, while Caitlin plans to keep her filly.

At this auction, the trainer is required to stay with the yearling and answer any questions the potential adopter may have.

These two young ladies made their first public appearance with the Comal County Wrangler Youth Drill Team in a performance in front of their hometown at the Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee Rodeo June 21. Prior to that event, Caitlin said they rehearsed in front of approximately 20 people.

Caitlin said she was really nervous before entering the arena, but as soon as she started performing, she enjoyed the performance.

Kirstin, the reigning Stockdale Rodeo queen, had the honor of posting the colors during the opening ceremony of the June 21 rodeo performance riding her “trusty steed” Trigger.
 


Your Opinions and Comments
 
Kirstin Koehler  
Stockdale  
October 1, 2008 11:11am
 
 
thanks everyone for your support. I had a load of fun and Learned alot. i am so glad to represent the city of Stockdale. Thanks Caitlin for being a great friend and hope ... Read More Read More
 
 
Derrick Koehler  
San Marcos, Texas  
July 11, 2008 5:14pm
 
 
Kirsti,

Like Mom said, we are all so very proud of you. It's amazing to see your mustangs develope under you care and training. You are truly gifted. You and Caitlin ... Read More Read More
 
 
Carol Castaneda  
Stockdale  
July 9, 2008 4:38pm
 
 
We are so proud of you Caitlin, thank you Pat for such a great article on these dedicated girls. Although we aren't Stockdale natives, just know we love it here and want ... Read More Read More
 
 
Pam Jarvis  
Fort Worth, TX  
July 5, 2008 8:04am
 
 
Caitlin, WOW! What an exciting contest! I am marking September 18 on my calendar. I can't wait to see you performing with Mina. I wish you all the best!
 
 
Laura Balditt  
San Antonio, Texas  
July 4, 2008 1:46pm
 
 
Caity, the work you're doing is so impressive! Aside from all the hard work it must be for you, I bet you're having the greatest fun ever! Enjoy it! You deserve it! Good ... Read More Read More
 
 
Priscilla Koehler  
Stockdale  
July 3, 2008 8:32am
 
 
Kirstin, your gift that God gave you when it comes to horses is truly a blessing. The connection that you share with horses is something that is rarely ever seen. Little ... Read More Read More
 
 
Stephanie Fields  
Arlington, TX  
July 2, 2008 7:14pm
 
 
Caitlin, what an impressive project! I know Mina will be as good a performer as you are.
 
 
J.J. Henry  
San Antonio, Texas  
July 2, 2008 12:03pm
 
 
Wow, Miss Caitlin! You've grown into quite a young lady since I saw you last. Good luck with Mina!
 
 
Barbara Klein  
Arlington, TX.  
July 2, 2008 10:15am
 
 
It is really cool to see my sister's love for horses passed on to her daughter Caitlin, my niece! They have worked hard to impliment the latest in humane horse handling and ... Read More Read More
 

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