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The 2024 Benton County Fair & Rodeo starts July 31 through Aug. 3, and this year's Fair and Rodeo Queen, Naomi Bailey, will be sharing the spotlight with her remarkable Mustang, Ochoco. Naomi, from Newberg and an Oregon State University student, trained Ochoco through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge, a competition that challenges young trainers to tame wild horses. Their journey, filled with dedication and mutual respect, will be on full display during the rodeo's halftime show.
Check out this video with Naomi and Ochoco: Meet Naomi Bailey, Your 2024 Benton County Fair & Rodeo Queen! (youtube.com)
Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge is a 100-day training competition that challenges young trainers to tame wild horses and burros. Participants, like Naomi, invest time, dedication, and heart into transforming these animals from the wild into loyal and dependable companions. The program concludes with a live auction where the trained Mustangs and burros are adopted, ensuring continued care and management. This initiative not only promotes the humane treatment of wild horses but also showcases the incredible trainability and versatility of the Mustang breed.
Naomi’s journey with Ochoco began in May 2021, when she was selected among many applicants to participate in the program. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up the herds, and teens like Naomi are given the chance to train these impressive animals. Naomi says her scientific background and lifelong passion for horses made her an ideal candidate for the program.
“Mustangs are incredibly important to me,” Naomi said. “They were introduced by the Spanish, and with no natural predators left, they’ve overpopulated. Training and domesticating them is a way to save the species and allow them to be loved by the public. Ochoco is the coolest horse. He’s been broke for less than a year, and the bond we’ve created is like no other. He tries so hard for me, and that bond is something truly special.”
Naomi and Ochoco’s bond will be displayed during the Benton County Fair and Rodeo. They will perform during the rodeo's halftime show on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, showcasing the remarkable qualities of her Mustang. Ochoco, with his versatility and emotional connection to Naomi, will demonstrate why Mustangs make exceptional companions.
The Teens and Oregon Mustangs program has gained recognition and support through social media and other platforms, helping raise awareness and funds, and Naomi said donations are crucial to the program’s mission of promoting humane treatment and management of wild horses and burros.
Ochoco shows the success of the program. From wild horse to rodeo performer, his journey reflects the dedication and passion of trainers like Naomi.
“I’ve always loved horses,” Naomi said. “Being part of this program and working with Ochoco has been an incredible experience. The bond you can create with a Mustang is unparalleled. They are a clean slate and connect deeply with their handler.”
Naomi’s journey with Ochoco doesn’t end at the Benton County Fair. Her ultimate goal is to become Miss Rodeo Oregon, continuing to promote the welfare of Mustangs and the Teens and Oregon Mustangs program.
For more information about the program and how you can support their mission, visit Teens and Oregon Mustangs.
Join Naomi and Ochoco at the Benton County Fair and Rodeo to witness their remarkable bond and the incredible potential of Mustangs.
Benton County Fair & Rodeo tickets are on sale now at www.bentoncountyfair.com. All rodeos and concerts are included with the price of admission.
View Photos of Naomi and Ochoco
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Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Naomi Bailey and her horse Ochoco pause for a photo at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Ochoco is a Mustang that Naomi adopted through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge.
Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Naomi Bailey and her horse Ochoco pause for a photo at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Ochoco is a Mustang that Naomi adopted through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge.
Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Naomi Bailey and her horse Ochoco prepare for a photo and video shoot at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Ochoco is a Mustang that Naomi adopted through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge.