The Mustang Classic 2025
Mustang Competition Event Format
The richest English discipline mustang competition.
September 4-6, 2025 / Lexington, KY
Chelsea Canady
2024 Classic competitor, 2024 Championship finalist.
‘Photo by Ronda Gregorio.
The goal of The Mustang Classic is to showcase the skill and adaptability of the American mustang and the talented trainers that work with them in the English discipline. The event will provide the public an opportunity to witness a mustang that has been given a foundation for success on its journey from government holding to private ownership.
The Mustang Classic is open to exhibitors (ages 18 and older) that have adopted or purchased a BLM mustang between October 1, 2024 and April 15, 2025. Exhibitors must adopt or purchase their mustang from approved BLM Wild Horse & Burro facilities, approved satellite events, the Wild Horse & Burro Online Corral or any approved facility. All mustangs should be registered with Mustang Champions after adoption or purchase. As an exhibitor you will be able to compete with up to two mustangs. You do not need to own the horse to compete. All exhibitors must complete the Mustang Trainer Readiness Curriculum prior to entering the Mustang Classic completion. All exhibitors must show proof of pre-Classic show competition experience prior to the Classic competition September 4-6, 2025.
$125,000 in total cash and prizes.
Preliminary Phases I Thursday & Friday, September 4-5
Training Level Dressage
The Training Level Dressage test is designed to showcase the foundation of training and partnership between a mustang and rider through balance, flexibility and obedience.
Show Jumping
Show jumping emphasizes the partnership between the horse and rider, as they must work together to navigate the course and clear obstacles. Riders must demonstrate skill, control, and accuracy in their riding.
Working Equitation
Working Equitation is a true test of the mustang’s temperament and training, the riders skill and ability and of course the relationship between horse and rider combining dressage with obstacles.
Mustang Classic Championship Finals I Rolex Stadium
$50,000 to the Champion
Saturday, September 6
VIP Brunch - Details and Tickets coming soon
The top performing mustang and exhibitor pairs from the preliminary phases will be invited to compete in the Championship Finals, a freestyle performance to determine the Mustang Classic Champion. Scoring will be based on training level dressage and a freestyle performance. The finals event is designed to encourage riders to exhibit the athletic abilities of the mustang to the crowd in an exciting and appealing way. The exhibitor will have three and a half minutes to showcase their mustang through a creative display of choreographed maneuvers that entertain the crowd and demonstrate their horsemanship. The exhibitor will incorporate props, costumes, and music to demonstrate their skills and the talents of their mustangs.
2025 Judges
Dressage Judge:
Susanne Lauda began riding at 10 in Germany, starting on school horses and later competing up to Second Level on her first horse. In 1993, she moved to the U.S. to work as a project manager for the Space Shuttle program, and continued riding casually in California.
After relocating to Georgia in 1998, Susanne deepened her commitment to riding, competing with an Arabian named Beau and later importing a European Warmblood. Her equestrian journey took a significant turn in 2013 when she began riding a Danish mare, Cirkeline (CiCi). With CiCi, she earned her USDF Silver Medal and won numerous year-end awards. Susanne also discovered her passion for judging, advancing from L-Grad with distinction to "r" and now "R."
Currently, Susanne runs her own engineering firm and continues riding, now on a Hanoverian named Sir Stanislaus. As a judge, her focus is on fostering harmonious relationships between riders and horses, prioritizing the welfare of the horse and rider safety.
Working Equitation Judge:
Polly Limond is a veteran dressage rider, trainer, breeder, and importer with nearly 40 years of experience in Southern California. Since 2004, she has specialized in selecting and importing sport horses from top European countries such as Germany, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, and France. Polly holds a USDF Bronze Medal with Distinction, a Silver Medal with Distinction, and a Silver Freestyle Medal. Her achievements include training multiple horses to Intermediare level, winning Regional and National Championships, and coaching students to Regional and RAAC championships and lifetime rider medals. In 2017, she earned her WE Bronze Medal, followed by her Silver Medal in 2019. Polly's competitive record includes scoring up to 80% at Intermediate B and securing the 2021 Region 2 Level 5 Open Championship.
Additionally, Polly serves as an S judge and a licensed TD with USAWE, and is a USDF L graduate with distinction. She has judged numerous WE shows across the USA and Canada, as well as local schooling shows encompassing classical, eventing, western dressage, and obstacle challenges. Polly is a respected clinician and a member of the USAWE coaches network since 2021. As of early 2023, she is based in Mooresville, NC.
Show Jumping & Championship Finals Judge:
Dorothy Crowell is a renowned eventer and coach with a stellar record including selections for two Olympic teams, a World Championship silver medal, and a win at the U.S. 5* Championships at Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event. She has achieved top-10 finishes at Badminton, Burghley, and Pau, all on OTTBs.
Dorothy has coached multiple medalists at the Junior Olympics (NAYCs) and the 2019 Retired Racehorse Project Makeover Champions in Dressage and Eventing. She has judged at the RRP and Florida Expo and served as Past President of the Secretariat Center Board. She initiated the We Are Here Initiative to support Thoroughbreds during the COVID-19 crisis.
With over 20 years as a Classic 3-Day clinician, Dorothy organized the first Educational 3-Day event. She is also the Lead Designer and Owner of Medalist Designs and developed Hardwood Hollow, an equestrian community in Reddick, FL.
Championship Finals Judge:
David O'Connor, a two-time Equestrian of the Year and the fourth American to win Individual Gold in equestrian sport. His Sydney Gold medal was achieved with the best Olympic score ever, and he won medals at the Pan American Games, Olympics, and World Championships within four years.
Since retiring in 2004, O’Connor has made significant contributions to the equestrian world. He served as president of the United States Equestrian Federation, chairs the FEI eventing committee, and continues to teach and train. Alongside his wife Karen, a five-time Olympian and Pan American Gold Medalist, they are the only husband-and-wife team to have been on two Olympic medal-winning teams together.
O’Connor’s commitment extends from training young riders and horses to designing competition courses. His governance and vision for the sport have established him as a leading figure. As head coach of the Canadian Eventing Team (2005-2012), he led them to silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and multiple Pan American Games medals. He then coached the USA Team (2012-2017) to further Pan Am and Olympic successes.