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Meet the 2025 EMM Competitors
Under-Saddle Class
Audrey
Hello, everyone. My name is Audrey Cowan, and I’m a trainer from Franklin, Kentucky. My passion for horses has been unwavering since childhood. From an early age, I found myself drawn to the equestrian world, beginning with local club shows where I competed on a spirited pony—an experience that likely ignited my love for feisty, independent horses.
Raised in a family deeply involved in speed events such as barrel racing, pole bending, and rodeoing, I spent my first ten years immersed in the fast-paced world of rodeo. I was also actively involved in 4-H and FFA, where I not only showed horses but a variety of livestock as well. As I grew older and more experienced, I eagerly explored other areas of the equestrian world, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to deepen my connection with horses. It wasn’t until 2019, when a friend invited me to the Kentucky TIP Challenge, that I discovered my deep affinity for Mustangs. Despite my background with AQHA horses and a lack of experience in starting a horse from the ground up, I was immediately captivated. My first Mustang, though wild, was a true saint. His patience and calm demeanor taught me invaluable lessons, and it was through this experience that I truly fell in love with the breed. Since then, I’ve competed in numerous TIP Challenges across the country, participated in a few Extreme Mustang Makeovers, and showcased my Mustangs in various disciplines, including trail, ranch, and cow working events. I’ve made it a point to not only develop these incredible animals but to actively promote the Mustang brand and its unique qualities. One of my proudest moments came in 2023, during my final year as a youth competitor at the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Franklin, TN. There, I had the privilege of working with my yearling Mustang, "Phineas," and together, we won the entire competition. Although I was initially uncertain about continuing into the adult division, I knew that if I didn’t take that step, I would regret it. And so, here I am—an adult competitor in my first Extreme Mustang Makeover, eager to see where this journey will take me. I’m excited to continue promoting the Mustang breed and to embrace the challenges and triumphs ahead.
Raised in a family deeply involved in speed events such as barrel racing, pole bending, and rodeoing, I spent my first ten years immersed in the fast-paced world of rodeo. I was also actively involved in 4-H and FFA, where I not only showed horses but a variety of livestock as well. As I grew older and more experienced, I eagerly explored other areas of the equestrian world, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to deepen my connection with horses. It wasn’t until 2019, when a friend invited me to the Kentucky TIP Challenge, that I discovered my deep affinity for Mustangs. Despite my background with AQHA horses and a lack of experience in starting a horse from the ground up, I was immediately captivated. My first Mustang, though wild, was a true saint. His patience and calm demeanor taught me invaluable lessons, and it was through this experience that I truly fell in love with the breed. Since then, I’ve competed in numerous TIP Challenges across the country, participated in a few Extreme Mustang Makeovers, and showcased my Mustangs in various disciplines, including trail, ranch, and cow working events. I’ve made it a point to not only develop these incredible animals but to actively promote the Mustang brand and its unique qualities. One of my proudest moments came in 2023, during my final year as a youth competitor at the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Franklin, TN. There, I had the privilege of working with my yearling Mustang, "Phineas," and together, we won the entire competition. Although I was initially uncertain about continuing into the adult division, I knew that if I didn’t take that step, I would regret it. And so, here I am—an adult competitor in my first Extreme Mustang Makeover, eager to see where this journey will take me. I’m excited to continue promoting the Mustang breed and to embrace the challenges and triumphs ahead.
Caitlin
Caitlin is a 24-year-old trainer from Lansing, Michigan. Starting by competing in her first Mustang challenge in 2022, Caitlin has since found her passion for training mustangs at her facility Wild Skye Ranch. She has competed in two EMM’s and three Michigan Mustang Challenges. She enjoys competing with her mustang Nugget in open shows. Caitlin’s goal is to help people better understand and connect with their horses.
Michelle
Michelle is devoted to always doing right by the horse! Honesty, Integrity, and Grit. She never compromises her values or takes short cuts. Good hard work, a side of patience, a lot of heart, and ability to listen is the ingredient list to successfully training champion horses.
Proficient in the art of center-riding, multiple disciplines under saddle, and a knack at helping hard-to-manage horses, Michelle will help you reach that milestones in horsemanship you have been reaching for. Connection, Confidence, Communication is the foundation to the program for Michelle to build safe and confident relationships between horse and rider. Teaching leadership skills that leads to trust, respect, and success. Michelle offers clinics to help riders over come fears, making a safer horse and rider pair. With a Degree In Equine Science and certified in Natural Horsemanship Michelle offers trIning techniques that work the mind first in order to get control of the body. Michelle started her show career at Project Cowboy then moved on to competing in her first Mustang Makeover in 2008 at the Women Luv Horses event in Ocala Florida. Since that first makeover Michelle competed in many other makeovers including Mustang Millions and the last makeover they held in Norco, Ca where the majority of the makeover was held on the trails and city streets of Norco, Ca. Michelle moved on in her show career working with her mentors such as Charles Wilhelm, Les Vogt and Lynn Anderson. She has had success in showing in not only the Mustang Makeovers but in NRCHA, NCHA, AQHA, and Ultimate Super Horse challenges.
By offering the building blocks to help you peak in your relationship she has helped many of her clients find success showing and on the trail. She has spent years working under her mentors in order to provide better training techniques to the horses and her clients.
Proficient in the art of center-riding, multiple disciplines under saddle, and a knack at helping hard-to-manage horses, Michelle will help you reach that milestones in horsemanship you have been reaching for. Connection, Confidence, Communication is the foundation to the program for Michelle to build safe and confident relationships between horse and rider. Teaching leadership skills that leads to trust, respect, and success. Michelle offers clinics to help riders over come fears, making a safer horse and rider pair. With a Degree In Equine Science and certified in Natural Horsemanship Michelle offers trIning techniques that work the mind first in order to get control of the body. Michelle started her show career at Project Cowboy then moved on to competing in her first Mustang Makeover in 2008 at the Women Luv Horses event in Ocala Florida. Since that first makeover Michelle competed in many other makeovers including Mustang Millions and the last makeover they held in Norco, Ca where the majority of the makeover was held on the trails and city streets of Norco, Ca. Michelle moved on in her show career working with her mentors such as Charles Wilhelm, Les Vogt and Lynn Anderson. She has had success in showing in not only the Mustang Makeovers but in NRCHA, NCHA, AQHA, and Ultimate Super Horse challenges.
By offering the building blocks to help you peak in your relationship she has helped many of her clients find success showing and on the trail. She has spent years working under her mentors in order to provide better training techniques to the horses and her clients.
Dusti
Dusti Gleason, owner of Wildfire Horsemanship established in 2024 out ofLeslie, Mi. She started riding horses at the age of 5 , training in her teenage years and was introduced to mustangs in 2023. Passionate about connecting to horses and meeting them on any level, and not afraid to step outside of her comfort zone. She’s excited to further her training techniques with mustangs and has hopes of competing in more EMM’s.
Chase
My full name is Dillon Chase Lancaster I'm 30 years old this 2025 competition is my first time with a mustang I have trained horse in roping,barrel racing, cutting, reining munevours, and just normal plain trail riding IV competed as a professional bullrider for 15 years and bronc rider. I'm doing this competition to get my name on the map as a horse trainer.
Naomi
Naomi Langdon’s passion for connecting with horses led her to mustangs early in her career. She has competed in 11 TIP Challanges with 10 top 2 finishes. She is also an Extreme Mustang Makeover Top Ten Finalist and Young Gun Champion. Naomi now shares her passion for liberty work, coaching conscious horse owners to create an unbreakable connection with their horse’s at liberty.
Kelsi
Hello! My name is Kelsi Lohr and I am a 2025 Rookie! I have never done an EMM Challenge. I actually dabbled into the mustang world only three years ago. I have rode many breeds, worked with many breeds and have shown many breeds. I have been in the horse world for over 15 years and still hanging in strong! I am no stranger to working with horses and hoping to see what my pick this year does!
Katrina
Hi! My name is Katrina Ordway, I am a trainer, equine sales marketing consultant, and owner/operator of a boarding/training facility. I have had a passion for everything equine since childhood, taking every opportunity to be around horses starting at a young age. In early years I worked as a stall cleaner and volunteer at local barns to work off lessons and receive riding opportunities. In adolescent years I started working at equine and cattle outfits while attending school. I graduated from the University of Wyoming with an agricultural business degree in 2023, and started a student worker position that turned into a training employment opportunity at the same facility I currently work at in my last year of school. Here I have worked with not only Mustangs but also QHs, WBs, TBs, Lusitanos, Fresians, Andalusians, and more. I currently share my home with 1 Quarter Horse, 1 Quarter Pony and 1 Pony (plus my new mustang) as well as dogs, cats, and chickens. This will be my first mustang competition and I am beyond excited to see what incredible things come from this opportunity for both of us!
Brandon
Brandon Pate. I was raised in southern Georgia where row crops and cattle were a normal life for me. I never had any interests in horses. After my military service I moved to western Kentucky and met my wife. She grew up with horses and started her training career early in life. She began to teach me all about equine as I assisted with her program. I started finding therapy through horses and my focus in daily life changed. After my affiliation with a few EMM horses I knew someday I would take on the challenge; here I am. Hunting, Millwright and mechanics are my hobbies. I enjoy working, taking care of our facility, farm and producing our own hay. I love time with my wife and raising our children together above all.
Catherine
Catherine Ruh has had a passion for training horses throughout her career. She enjoys starting young horses and then sending them on to their new career. Catherine often focuses on horses from kill pens that have limited handling and trust in people, and works on their general wellness through both their body and mind to aid them in letting go of their baggage and turning a new page. She also loves repurposing off the track thoroughbreds and giving them the knowledge to have a job in a secondary riding discipline to prevent them from becoming “throwaways” or disposable once they are done racing. Catherine had the privilege to work with a mustang through the Extreme Mustang Makeover program a few years back where she was able to turn “Monsoon” into a trusted riding horse and, despite not competing that year due to a slower training timeline that best fit Monsoon, was able to find him his permanent home where he enjoys trail riding with his junior rider. Catherine believes the horse always comes first, whether the goal is competitive riding or it is simply recreational, and her driving force with her training is always the love of the horse.
Grace
I’ve had a passion for horses my whole life. I’ve dabbled in everything from trail riding to English to rodeo . I’ve had the opportunity to start colts and mustangs along side fellow EMM trainers . As soon as I finished homeschool I started my own Horse therapy business! Though this will not be my first time training Mustangs it will be my first EMM competition, I’m very excited to see just what all My horse and I can accomplish!
Dominique
I have been training horses since I was a teenager many, many years ago. I got involved with mustangs in 2012 and I have never looked back. I enjoy training mustangs because they are all different and they always teach you so much more about yourself than you can teach the horse. I hope that this mare I have this go round proves to be an excellent ambassador and a willing partner.
Youth in-hand Class
Adult in-hand Class
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