Extreme Mustang Makeover Class Reflections | Texas 2022

[@judyhartford5019]

Thank you for your honesty about having nerves. One would never know it when watching you. You encourage me to keep learning and riding. I lost my horse of 20 years and at 65 chose to get another horse and keep riding. I’d compare it to getting used to a new husband after a long happy marriage although I still have mine after 43 years! Your ground work exercises are helping both my new horse and I gain confidence with each other. Thank you again from northern Ontario, Canada.

[@RYAN-gz5sx]

He just looked simply joyful when he dashed about in the pen at the start and you showed how to deal with the exuberance calmly 😊

[@audreygregis8721]

You can pick all you want.....but you placed THIRD!!!! That says everything about your training with this adorable Mustang, Newt! Congratulations!!

[@texaschick6153]

Thanks Sam for sharing not all the reviews but the video of the classes. For those of us who did not get to attend, this was a real treat.

[@marjoriebray5418]

I rarely comment. Newt is one of the coolest mustangs ever. Totally loved his snorting 3 months ago and his supreme confidence now. Amazingly trusting 3 year old superstar!!! Congratulations. I sincerely hope that you get the opportunity to stop and see him in California every once in a while.

[@suzycue9278]

Sam, So glad you commented on nerves….I have always shown with nerves and it is comforting to know that even someone with such a gifted touch such as yourself…gets nerves - makes me feel like Im not the only horse woman that has ridden for many many years and still gets nerves when competing 🙃

[@blueboy4511]

You did a great job, Sam. Don't let anyone tell you anything different. I appreciate how you handled the mustang and how you taught him to trust you. You have learned a lot and will even be better on the next challenge. May the Lord bless you and your work.

[@Mauipokepoi]

I love how hard you look at yourself first. That's respectable. I also love near the end, where you acknowledged your happy points, (even though not as much spoken of). That's the signs of the true horseman. Just remember to fall asleep with the good things; there were more those by far. Imho. I like you.

[@GritnGrace98]

I have absolutely LOVED getting to follow ya'll's journey! You showed such professionalism in admitting the mistakes that looked so little in my inexperienced eyes, lol. I am so excited for you! You and Newt did a fantastic and beautiful job! Well done!

[@dianaalfaro4850]

I love this horse so much 😍 from the very beginning, if I only lived in America 🥺

[@alisonevans7403]

I'm so impressed that you branched out to show western, pushing your own boundaries. And you placed 3rd! Really great job!

[@SamVanFleet]

Thank you!

[@cap32682]

There is always next time to try more props. I think the balloon popping really shows a LOT about his personality and your amazing skills as a trainer!! Awesome job!!

[@KingsMom831]

Great job guys! I love hearing Chris LeDoux playing in the background. That used to be one of my favorite songs growing up “Making Ends Meet” To this day, he is still my all time favorite country artist.

[@cmleite]

You are an inspiration to me, a horseless horse girl from the city.

[@barbaravpharr]

Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together for your supporters to see. It gives us more understanding as to how you approach your challenges, and we love being along for the ride. You are a wonderful role model, and folks need to see how to go about working with a wild mustang the right way!

[@SamVanFleet]

You are so kind, thank you!

[@mariesettle4758]

Freestyle was nice! I did notice the incorrect lead but looked clean regardless, I was REALLY impressed with how calm and relaxed Newt was the entire way through which is a result of your calmness and confidence in him. In the trail I was worried about him stepping back on the side pass over the rails, but you guys did it!! I am really sad that you weren't able to keep Newt, he is my favorite of your horses. And glad you went Western! 🤠

[@SamVanFleet]

Missing the simple lead change will haunt me forever LOL

[@gmariet1391]

I always enjoy your shows . You're such a honest and transparent young lady and I like your nature and shared insights !

[@miagennaios9344]

Thanks for letting us follow your progress! It has been so fun to watch😁🐴😁

[@shbroneswygert6243]

Good job I enjoy watching your video. You show me something I need to do to my colts.

[@BeaconRocker]

Very well done, Sam! I hope you will stay in contact with Newt's new owner and keep us informed about him from time to time. Can't wait for your next journey now!

[@pnhnut]

Big applaud over here.. so proud of you and Newt. It was a pleasure watching your journey and I hope that Newt loves his new home. Well done.

[@leanneadams2549]

I’m so glad you don’t focus on spins. To me? They are kinda boring, and every one does them and it seems like every horse absolutely hates doing it also, I love that she has the horse lay down on her command !! Just awesome and she is living my dream life and killing it !!!

[@tammiekanters6496]

You did amazing, I appreciate your time to show us all your classes and what you thought of them, it's very helpful.

[@cowgirlval5216]

Great job Sam!👍

[@lisazappolo9989]

Thank you for sharing, and thank you to whoever was behind the camera. Their comment about the alfalfa explained it all lol. I was so disappointed that I could not be there to see and you granted my wish by putting it up here. So happy to hear that your show nerves are starting to settle down. Continue to strive for perfection, but be proud of your successes and how far you have come in such a relatively short time. (relatively short time is based upon the age of an old lady;) You are an amazing individual! May Newt have a long, happy life!

[@SamVanFleet]

Haha that's my good friend, and Roulette's owner, Sherry!

[@riverbank4126]

Really nice work! I haven't ridden Mustangs but I have trained horses brought in from 'the range' at three years of age and I know that there were lots of times when I didn't know what they would do next! You have already developed a good little 'working' horse who paid good attention to you, was calm in an unfamiliar situation, and completed the tasks relatively smoothly in a show ring with music and an audience - and a costume! I really liked that your smile lit up the ring and that your horse knew that he could trust you to 'keep him safe'!

[@underdog264]

Love his cute little expressions!

[@scottschell8555]

Good job and well done! I enjoy watching the training videos leading up to the event and how the horse turns out. The competition really shows your ability as a trainer and unlike a lot of the horse world it is about who has the deepest pockets. Newt reminds of the my first horse, a plain non-flashly bay with a kind eye. Glad he went to a good home.

[@amyalznauer9021]

I loved your freestyle! Congrats on 3rd!

[@sophiegae]

Incredible what you’ve achieved with him. 😊

[@forsythia33]

Great job! I had a lot of fun watching that, and following your preparation.

[@johnnorman1793]

Hey sam, it is what it is, never beat yourself up coz things didn't go exactly as planned. Life's like that..!! you got third girl.! So that tells me you did a lot more things right than you did wrong, gotta be proud of that.!. Best wishes from downunder Perth, Western Australia.

[@tgm111a]

Very creative, loved it! Congratulations!❤️

[@jeniferrinehart1107]

Congrats! Well done to you and Newt!🎉🎉❤❤

[@sdcaeastcountyfamily]

Well I'm gonna be second of that thank you for sharing it & graduations!!

[@lynneley1883]

I love how you are explaining this

[@OWK000]

He's got such a cute kinda bouncy trot . . . of all horses to go western with! He would go well english with that trot. He looks strong. (good conditioning, but solid, wide, too)

[@SamVanFleet]

His trot is actually super smooth 🙂

[@twelevensies]

I like your creative choice of costuming in free style! Is that from The Incredibles? (I didn't watch that movie.) I'm glad you're getting to hang out with Newt a little longer. Congratulations Sam!

[@lindomarchagas1877]

Que maravilha de trabalho bem feito com este cavalo, parabéns a vc pelo 3lugar,sei que logo terá o primeiro lugar, pois assim como vc se esforça para ajudar estes animais a ter uma chance de vida incrível. 🙋‍♂️🇧🇷🌹🐎

[@DesertPinesHorseRescue]

Loved the commentary on your classes, but we really would have enjoyed watching with the music too! Just a suggestion, but it looks like you may need to list... (see below) so we can listen to the music played during the freestyle! That is what others are doing and we get to listen to their freestyle!!!! Just saying... We really love watching all you are doing with the Mustangs and your busy lifestyle!!! Great job!!! Excited to see more!!! Music SONG ARTIST NAME ALBUM NAME LICENSES

[@TheSweezer]

You did good. Id hire you as a trainer if I needed one.

[@WildLilyHorsemanship]

Man I feel like my handling and conditioning for my TIP challenge went exactly the same. Didn’t want to stand for haltering, wanted to sniff the ground for brushing and picking up feet. Ended up having to do front, back, front, back instead of how we normally do. And a great trot 😂 just goes to show that horses are gonna do what horses are gonna do 😂🙄

[@SamVanFleet]

Totally!

[@danitakersten345]

I thought you and Newt were great!

[@MyWayofEverything]

I know it's not about the money but $15k is the most any of your horses have gone for right? Great season all around

[@oatspoons]

My biggest question is can someone cheat? Like get the mustang early so you could have more days to train, and claim they've been training for the days permitted, is there any way to tell someone cheated? And how does the saddle situation work? I know some people sell their horses after the competition, so is it worth getting a whole new saddle every time you get a new mustang, do you rent or do you have different size

[@SamVanFleet]

No, everyone has to pick up the same day!

[@krisillus5249]

Are you not allowed to use verbal cues during the competition? No clucking either?

[@SamVanFleet]

You are allowed to