IMHA Celebrates 2025 "Founding Members."

The International Mustang Horse Association (IMHA) reached a major milestone in 2025 by welcoming 78 founding members in three divisions who played a key role in launching the organization. These founding members will always hold a special place within IMHA, recognized for their early commitment and support. Alongside this celebration, IMHA has introduced clear membership benefits that reward both humans and mustangs for their achievements throughout the year and over a lifetime.

Honoring the Founding Members of IMHA

The 78 founding members who joined IMHA in 2025 helped establish a community dedicated to promoting and supporting mustang horses and their handlers. Their early involvement laid the foundation for a growing network of enthusiasts, competitors, and advocates. IMHA honors these members by recognizing their status permanently within the organization, highlighting their role in shaping the future of mustang competitions and care.

Being a founding member means more than just early membership; it reflects a commitment to the values and goals of IMHA. These members have access to exclusive updates and opportunities as the organization expands its programs and events.

Membership Benefits and Duration

IMHA memberships are valid for one calendar year. This annual membership model encourages ongoing participation and engagement. Members earn points and have their competition results recorded for the year, which contributes to awards and rankings. This system motivates members to stay active and strive for excellence in mustang competitions.

Points earned are tracked in two ways:

• Annual points: Used to determine yearly awards and rankings.

• Lifetime points: Recorded to acknowledge long-term achievements and dedication.

  
  

This dual tracking system ensures that members receive recognition for both their current efforts and their overall contributions to the mustang community.

Tracking Points and Awards for Humans and Mustangs

IMHA’s point system is unique because it rewards both the humans who show the horses and the mustangs themselves. Every registered mustang’s points are tracked, allowing the horse to earn awards based on its performance. This approach highlights the partnership between horse and handler and celebrates the achievements of both.

For example, a mustang that consistently places well in competitions will accumulate points that contribute to its lifetime record. This record can lead to special awards that recognize the horse’s skill, training, and competitive spirit.

Importance of Mustang Registration

Mustangs do not have to be registered to compete in IMHA events, but registration is highly encouraged. Registering a mustang unlocks several benefits:

• Access to official point tracking for both annual and lifetime achievements.

  
  

• Eligibility for awards and recognition based on competition results.

• Ability to participate in the Wild to Winning (W-2 W) incentive program.

  
  

Registration is simple and can be completed online through IMHA’s user-friendly registration tool. This process ensures that mustangs are officially recorded in the system, making it easier to track their progress and reward their successes.

Wild to Winning Incentive Program

The Wild to Winning (W-2 W) incentive program offers additional awards and recognition for registered mustangs. This program is only available at the time of initial registration, so owners should consider opting in early.

The W-2 W program encourages mustang owners to develop their horses’ skills and compete actively. Horses enrolled in this program qualify for special awards that celebrate their journey from wild horses to accomplished competitors.

How to Join IMHA and Register Your Mustang

Joining IMHA and registering a mustang is straightforward:

1. Visit the IMHA website and create a member account.

2. Complete the membership application for the current calendar year.

3. Use the online registration tool to register your mustang.

4. Choose to opt in to the Wild to Winning incentive if desired.

5. Start competing and earning points toward awards.

   
   

This process supports transparency and ease of use, helping members focus on enjoying competitions and building their mustang’s legacy.

Why Membership Matters for Mustang Enthusiasts

Membership in IMHA offers more than just competition opportunities. It builds a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for mustangs and their care. Members benefit from:

• Official recognition of their achievements.

• Access to exclusive events and programs.

• Support for mustang preservation and advocacy.

• Opportunities to connect with other enthusiasts and experts.

  
  

By joining IMHA, members contribute to a growing movement that celebrates the spirit and talent of mustangs while promoting responsible ownership and training.