T. Boone Pickens, founder of Mesa Petroleum and more recently promoter of wind-powered and solar energy, along with his wife, Madeline (at podium), have donated two mustangs to Southern Methodist University. The couple adopted the horses from the recent Extreme Mustang Makeover in Fort Worth, and will present them to the school during halftime ceremonies at the SMU vs. Navy game on October 17, in Dallas.

“I’m sure there are people wondering why we are doing all of this,” said Madeleine Pickens, founder of the National Wild Horse Foundation .  “One of my life’s passions is to protect and save America’s Wild Horses — a living symbol of our American heritage and freedom.  What better place to get the word out about protecting and saving wild horses than Dallas, Texas, and a football game at the home of the SMU Mustangs.”

The 3-year-old geldings, El Compadre and Jaruegui, are currently under the care of SMU equestrian team head coach Haley Schoolfield.

All 92 horses participating in the Extreme Mustang Makeover were placed for adoption with the highest bid of $9,000 paid by the Pickens, Dallas residents and well-known mustang advocates, who phoned in their bid.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, created the Extreme Mustang Makeover event to highlight the value of mustangs through a national training competition. The event showcases the beauty, versatility and trainability of the wild horses that roam freely on public lands throughout the West, protected by the BLM under Federal law.

The Extreme Mustang Makeover will offer an estimated $300,000 in prize money as it enters its third year of competition. Nearly 2,000 mustangs have been placed for adoption through MHF programs and events.