Lily Hughes and London Fog
Lily Hughes, a 19-year-old equestrian from Flat Top Mountain, will compete in two major Mustang Champions competitions this year: the Mustang Challenge in Las Vegas, Nv., and the Mustang Classic in Lexington, Ky.
Lily, who will be graduating in May, adopted a beautiful gray 4-year-old mustang named "London Fog" from Buffalo Hills, Nv., at a Bureau of Land Management facility. Rebecca Bowman from Fall Creek Falls Equestrian accompanied her during the adoption process. Since then, she's been preparing London Fog for these high-profile competitions under the guidance of mustang trainer Mark Lyon. Lily's family owns and operates Flat Top Mountain Farm, where she developed her passion for horses and learned about equestrian care.
The Mustang Challenge in Las Vegas will take place from July 11-13 at the South Point Arena, offering $125,000 in cash and prizes. This western-only competition aims to showcase the skill and adaptability of American mustangs and their trainers. Competitors like Lily will demonstrate their abilities in a range of western disciplines, reflecting the bond they've built with their horses.
Following the Mustang Challenge, Lily will compete in the Mustang Classic, an all-English discipline competition held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from Sept. 13-15. This event provides a broader platform for competitors to highlight the versatility and training of their mustangs in English riding styles.
Lily's journey with London Fog represents the essence of the Mustang Champions competitions—demonstrating the potential and spirit of wild mustangs while promoting the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program, said officials.
"I'm honored to compete in these prestigious events and share London Fog's progress," said Lily. "The support from Rebecca Bowman and guidance from Mark Lyon have been crucial in our preparation. I'm especially thankful for the support of my parents, Kerry and Derrick Dishman, who have encouraged me every step of the way. We're excited to showcase what we've achieved together."
For more information about the Mustang Champions competitions, visit www.mustangchampions.org or contact our local mustang facility, Rebecca Bowman at Fall Creek Falls Equestrian www.fallcreekfallsequestrian.com.
Lily Hughes and London Fog