'He's a show-off': Teen's horse wins Extreme Mustang Makeover contest

Spend some time with Allison Elfrink and Chico and you'll soon realize the mustang is no one-trick pony.

Elfrink, 16, acquired Chico, then a numbered but unnamed wild mustang from Wyoming, in March, and last month they won a three-event competition called Extreme Mustang Makeover; it was held in St. Louis and attracting competitors from around the Midwest.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management regularly rounds up mustangs -- it's estimated there are 50,000 wild mustangs and burros in a 10-state region -- and offers them for adoption. Those who adopt then break and train the horses and, through competitions such as the Makeover, demonstrate their availability and their adaptability as potential saddle horses.

"He had been a foal in the wild. So, when I got him, Chico was a blank slate," Elfrink said in explaining the 19-month-old mustang was relatively easy to train because he had no bad habits to unlearn.

Before she could take on Chico, Elfrink had to demonstrate to her parents, Leland and Amy Elfrink, that she was up to the task of caring for and training a wild horse. She wrote a three-page proposal and determined a budget; the cost of his care and feeding would be hers. She wasn't a greenhorn -- Elfrink had gotten her first horse, a paint named Navajo, when she was 12. She said training Navajo, who is 13 years old, was challenging because he had been abused and was fearful of people.

Allison Elfrink leads Chico at liberty as he demonstrates his training at Flickerwood Arena in Jackson, Missouri, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (Laura Simon)

Once Chico was at home with the Elfrink family east of Pocahontas in northern Cape Girardeau County, Elfrink had 110 days to train a once-wild horse for the three-stage competition.

The contest didn't include riding because of Chico's young age. Elfrink and Chico initially were judged on the physical condition of the once-feral horse and basic handling. The second stage involved her leading Chico through an obstacle course of sorts -- backing up, entering gates and the like.

The pair was ahead in the judging going into the third and final phase, a freestyle dance to the song "Set the World on Fire," the chorus of which includes the line "Take my dreams, come and give them wings." With the help of her father, Elfrink fashioned for Chico a set of wings. The objective was for Chico, "at liberty" -- halterless and leadless -- to follow Elfrink through the three-and-a-half-minute dance. During the performance, Chico lost focus for a few seconds but, otherwise, executed well enough to impress the judges, and the two came out on top to take home the $1,200 prize. It was Elfrink's first time showing a horse.

Allison Elfrink and her parents Leland and Amy, pose for a photo with Chico, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at Flickerwood Arena in Jackson. (Laura Simon)

"I wanted to wow the judges and really show off Chico's personality. I thought it was a little wild, but I knew if we could pull it off, it would be high in points," Elfrink said, adding that while they may have lost points for Chico's momentary lapse, they were awarded for the routine's "great level of difficulty."

While training Chico, Elfrink focused on improving his health and grooming; she maintained a journal of their activities and accomplishments, and she investigated the history of the wild mustangs and their role in the American West.

"You think you're just getting a horse, but then you realize it's really special," Elfrink said. "I know a lot about his heritage and history."

On a recent rainy morning at the Flickerwood Farms Arena in Jackson, Elfrink showed off Chico's abilities after first pointing out his curly hair -- "I could brush him all day, and he'd still have that wavy look" -- his solid, shoeless hooves and the freeze brand on his neck, which indicates the origin and status as a Registered American Mustang.

With near whispers and a small baton, Elfrink would "kiss at him" to lead him through a exposition of all he's learned.

"He's a show-off," Elfrink said as Chico went through his paces -- pivoting first on his front quarters and then the rear quarters; side passing, which is walking to his left or his right; and the Spanish walk, an exaggerated lifting of the front legs. Chico will sit or lie down on command.

And with Chico lying motionless on his side on the floor of the vast arena, Elfrink called out, "I'm coming," and, with a bit of a lead, ran and leaped over him, followed by a return trip after saying, "I'm coming back!"

For now, Chico remains the property of the U.S. government. Elfrink has until March to determine if she wants to permanently adopt Chico. If not, he could be assigned to another adopter.

"He's my buddy," Elfrink said of the 700-pound Chico, who likely will be a foot taller when fully grown.

"I'd like to keep him until he's 2 [years old] so I can be the first to ride him," Elfrink said.

Chico already represents a trio of firsts for Elfrink.

"He's my first yearling, my first mustang and my first blue ribbon," Elfrink said. "I fell in love with him."

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ONLINE

More photos of Allison Elfrink and Chico are in a gallery at semissourian.com. A video of their dance routine is online at facebook.com/pages/Allisons-Mustang-Journey.