The first day of Road to the Horse has kicked off with a blast of excitement and action. The All American Cowgirl Chicks presented the sponsor flags and Madalynn and Leslie Ann Saunders carried the American and Tennessee flags (a position which they have proudly filled since 2003) while Nealy and Hallie Rose Edmondson posted the notorious Road to the Horse flags.

Country singer and Beyond Rodeo host Susie Dobbs sang the National Anthem and not only brought the crowd to their feet but also to tears with her powerhouse voice.

The Battle for the Bling between Road to the Horse owner and producer Tootie Bland and Extreme Mustang Makeover founder Patti Colbert brought a slew of surprises to the plate. This match-up paired 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover winner Mark Lyon against Road to the Horse come back kid Tommy Garland and 2009 Extreme Mustang Makeover finalist Wylene Wilson against Road to the Horse boss wrangler Thomas Saunders.

The first part of the competition featured Mark vs. Tommy in which both performed a reining pattern. Second, Wylene and Thomas pulled out all the stops in an obstacle course in which Wylene surprised the audience by choosing to perform bareback.

At the end of the Battle for the Bling, the audience texted in their votes on who they thought should win the infamous Rickrageous jacket. Patti Colbert and the Extreme Team won by a vote of 60% to 40%.

The running of the Road to the Horse Remuda provided by Bath Brothers Ranch of Laramie, Wyoming presented 10 three-year-old colts. Keeping in tradition, Thomas Saunders provided his hat for the drawing of chips. Starting with the oldest competitor, John Lyons drew chip number 8, making him the third person to pick. Next, Winters picked chip number 2 and the crowd thought he might be the first to choose from the remuda. A roar of applause erupted when Tommy Garland drew chip number 1, making him the first competitor to choose his colt for the competition.

Tommy Garland chose colt number 8, Blue Leo Bonnet, a grullo by Wyo Blue Bonnet and out of Blues Leo Lady.

Winters chose colt number 9, Plenty Brown Hancock, a bay by Valentine Red Rogers out of Plenty Black Hancock.

Lyons chose colt number 1, A Dunn Wiggy, a sorrel by Valentine Drift out of Hairpin Wiggy Babe.

Stayed tuned for more news from the 2009 Road to the Horse!