Perseverance Pays Lasting Dividends 2010 Youth & Yearling Mustang Challenge By Julie Hall “If I persevere and put my mind to it I can finish training even the toughest Mustang.” Those are the words of young Barrett Velker, age 14, of Crossville, TN and first place winner of the , held at East Fork Stables in Jamestown, TN in October. Barrett and his Mustang Angel placed in the top six finalists of the Challenge, only to surge ahead in the Freestyle by demonstrating the bond of trust that he developed with her in the 90 days of preparation for the Challenge. The other five finalists were Mackenzie Goad, Jacquelyn Donahoe, Ransom Velker, Christian Velker and Jamie Tremont. Barrett and Angel came trotting into the arena for the Freestyle, with the Tennessee flag attached to a surcingle around Angel’s body. Barrett and Angel proceeded to maneuver several obstacles, culminating in walking over a teeter totter approximately two feet in diameter at the maximum height, and then to the surprise of the audience, backing over the entire obstacle! With the mouths of audience members gaped, Barrett and Angle didn’t stop there. With Barrett in the lead, he asked Angel to follow him back over the teeter totter again, only this time at liberty. Angel didn’t think twice as she followed along willingly and without hesitation. Angel continued to follow Barrett at liberty around the arena and through the shower curtain before coming to the end of their performance. Applause and shouts of encouragement wildly erupted! Barrett comes from a family of seven children, four of whom participated in the Mustang challenge through New Beginnings Youth Ranch. What is more amazing about the Velker children is they have never owned a pet n not even a fish. Barrett and his siblings are home schooled and before being allowed to participate in the Youth & Yearling Mustang Challenge, the Velker brothers were required to write an essay about the American Mustang, based on information they learned from Internet research. The Velker brothers have undertaken, and succeeded in gentling an American icon n a wild American Mustang yearling. And they have ventured on a journey they will never forget. Congratulations to Barrett and Angel, who received a custom made saddle from Mike Branch of Flying B Horsemanship, and to all the participants of the Mustang Challenge. Everyone was a winner! The next Youth & Yearling Mustang Challenge (YYMC) is scheduled for early June 2011, with Mustang pick up March 5, 2011. Ownership of a Mustang is not required to participate in the Challenge. For more information about New Beginnings Youth Ranch, contact Mike Archambault at 931-260-1650, and for information about the YYMC, contact Mike Branch at 865-548-0112.