Branded Bonanza Missouri: What an Incredible First Year!
This was our first year bringing Branded Bonanza to Missouri, and we were NOT disappointed! From the exhibitors and facility to the spectators and the entire community, everyone showed us what it truly means to be Forever Branded.
For a first-year event, we had an incredible 111 animals adopted and moved out of holding pens and into loving homes! Of those, 43 came back to compete at Branded Bonanza Missouri. That is what this is all about!
The Kids Stole the Show!
We strongly believe our youth are the future, and this year we introduced the first-ever Rockin’ Around Branded Bonanza! We hid more painted rocks around the facility than we could count, and the kids found and returned them for prizes faster than we could hide them!
We also had a full craft table, and it was impressive to see it packed from start to finish every day. While there were many talented young crafters, one thing that stood out were the teenagers joining in, making crafts, and even helping our team hide the rocks. There’s something incredibly special about seeing the next generation get involved and make these events their own.
And don’t worry, the adults weren’t left out! A huge thank-you to Donatelli’s Bistro, Cugino’s Restaurant, and Stephanina’s for sponsoring our Find the Pumpkin Hunt. Lucky winners went home with gift cards to these amazing local restaurants.
We are excited to announce that the craft table and rock scavenger hunt are here to stay and will be at every Branded Bonanza moving forward!
The Freestyles Were Unforgettable!
Our freestyle moments have gone viral more than once and it’s easy to see why. From unexpected surprises to creative performances, the freestyles always deliver!
One thing that really made us smile was seeing how many exhibitors stepped up to help each other throughout the freestyles. Emily Dumont, an 8-year-old fan favorite who also competed in the Youth Burro division, was right there helping to set up everyone’s freestyles – sometimes with props bigger than she was! She wasn’t alone, either. So many competitors jumped in to help one another, and that’s the kind of sportsmanship and community that make these events so special.
The Stories Behind the Competitors
We also had the opportunity to interview several competitors and hear more about their journeys, their horses, and what brought them to Branded Bonanza.
Every competitor has a story worth hearing from Hannah Carpenter and her team returning with three mustangs, to Talia Stewart switching from riding to in-hand after knee surgery, Sam Godsey performing a handstand as his horse walked during their freestyle, and rookie Amelia Proffitt rising to the top of her division through consistency and hard work.
If you haven’t checked out their interviews yet, you’re missing out! We still have a few more to share, and it’s incredible to hear directly from these competitors.
Celebrating 10 Years of Branded Bonanza!
This year also marked the 10th anniversary of the event previously known as Mustang Mania. Founded and hosted by Stacie and Matt Zimmerman, this event has grown into something truly special, getting bigger and better every year. For the past three years, we’ve had a full team behind us, helping build on the incredible foundation these two created and taking the event to new heights. Stacie and Matt are absolute powerhouses, and Branded Bonanza wouldn’t exist without their vision, dedication, and continued passion for this community. We’re incredibly grateful for everything they’ve built and for the opportunity to continue growing this event together.
Thank You to Our BLM Partners
We are deeply grateful for our partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse & Burro Program. Their year-round support, combined with our creative programming, helps move large numbers of animals out of holding and into loving homes. Our program would not be what it is today without them and their tireless efforts.
We’re Coming Back to Missouri in 2027!
We are proud to announce that Branded Bonanza is returning to Missouri in 2027 at the National Equestrian Center! This is a top-notch facility, and we are thrilled to be coming back.
We can’t wait to see what next year brings!
The Outreach Doesn’t Stop Here
While Stacie and Matt Zimmerman, Amanda Mills, and Ashlie Baker headed home, Ann and Jim Souders were on the road again, heading straight to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, to continue our outreach.
They will be connecting with thousands of FFA students, spreading the word about our beloved wild horses and burros and the incredible work being done to give these animals opportunities for a new future.
Make sure you’re following along with our posts and stories, and keep an eye out for another blog post as we share more from the convention!
From All of Us at Forever Branded – THANK YOU!
To every exhibitor, volunteer, sponsor, spectator, partner, and supporter who helped make our first Missouri Branded Bonanza such a success,…
THANK YOU!
Because of you, 111 animals have new opportunities, incredible stories were made, friendships were strengthened, and our Forever Branded community continues to grow.
We are proud of what we accomplished together, and we hope to see you all back in Missouri in 2027!
Until then, keep following along. We’re just getting started!