"Mustang Lady" known to her best friend, Naomi Preston, as "Lady," was inducted into the 2001 Hall of Fame by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) held in Reno, Nev., in March 2002. Lady, a wild horse, was adopted as a 2-year-old by Naomi Preston (formerly Tyler) in 1982 from the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program.

The AERC Hall of Fame has been a prestigious annual honor for both endurance horses and riders since its inception in 1975. Endurance rides are long distance competitions of 50 to 100 miles in one day. Horses inducted into The Hall of Fame must possess athleticism, drive and stamina and exhibit a special bond between horse and rider.

Lady's record of endurance accomplishments is extensive with such titles as; AERC National Middleweight Champion and Solo Champion, Race of Champions, Montana. She has placed second in the Tevis Cup and has also received three bronze medals in international competitions of 100 miles rides. Lady has completed 2,300 miles of 100-mile competitions, with 2,100 of those miles finishing in the top ten. Her total mile count in endurance riding is 5,355 with 4,500 finishing in the top ten.

"Lady is truly a once-in-a-lifetime horse, not only because what she has accomplished but what she has meant to me," said Preston. "It is so gratifying that the recognition is coming from this national organization. For Lady to achieve this status among the supreme athletes in endurance, well, it's almost like a mustang winning the Kentucky Derby."

The BLM, an agency of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for managing the nation's public lands. With the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, a responsibility of BLM is to preserve and protect wild horses and burros and to manage for healthy rangelands. When an overpopulation of wild horses and burros exists on the range, the excess animals are removed and offered to the general public for adoption.

"Mustangs are known for their incredible endurance and stamina," said John Fend, BLM Group Manager, Wild Horses and Burros. "They are sure-footed, nimble and hardy. But, most of all, adopted wild horses are known as loyal and willing equine partners."

If you would like more information about adoption through the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program, please call toll free 866-4MUSTANGS.