Join Madeleine Pickens for special event at Navy vs. SMU Football Game on October 17th

Who says football and horses don’t mix??  Businesswoman and philanthropist Madeleine Pickens announces “Salute to the Mustangs,” an event to be held October 17 during pre-game and half time of the Navy Midshipmen vs. SMU Mustangs football game at Gerald Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX.  Details and information are available online at www.MadeleinesMustangs.org.

Among the highlights of “Salute to the Mustangs” will be a performance by Western Music Hall of Fame inductee Michael Martin Murphey, who will be performing his wild horse-themed Platinum recording, “Wildfire”.  It also will include a tribute to our Armed Forces, Wounded Warriors, United States War Dogs Association and Vet Dogs – organizations that provide loving animals who help support our Armed Forces and disabled veterans.

At the game, Madeleine Pickens will present Dr. Turner, Coach Jones and Southern Methodist University with a stunning trained Mustang as a gift to the school.  The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive an SMU towel that they can swirl around to show their support during the half time show.

“I’m sure there are people wondering why we are doing all of this,” said Madeleine Pickens.  “One of my life’s passions is to protect and save America’s Wild Horses -- a living symbol of our American heritage and freedom.  What better place to get the word out about protecting and saving wild horses than Dallas, Texas, and a football game at the home of the SMU Mustangs.  We thought the perfect game would be against Navy, as we can not only salute the American Mustang, but we also can salute the men and women of our Armed Forces.”

Madeleine Pickens has proposed a plan by which her National Wild Horse Foundation, a private non-profit foundation, will establish a Sanctuary as a permanent home to protect and care for wild horses presently in captivity. The Sanctuary also would provide a location for the public to visit and appreciate these living symbols of our American heritage and freedom.

Madeleine Pickens’ National Wild Horse Foundation announced the formation of a 25-member Advisory Committee consisting of prominent entertainment and sports figures.  The Committee presently consists of:

     June Jones – CHAIRMAN, SMU “Mustangs” Head Football Coach

     Troy Aikman -- NFL Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys QB & Super Bowl MVP

     Michael Blake -- Academy Award Winning Screenwriter, “Dances With Wolves”

     Jenny Craig -- Founder, Jenny Craig, Inc.

     Mark Cuban -- Owner, NBA Dallas Mavericks

     David Foster -- Grammy Award-Winning musician, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer

     Jerry Jones -- Owner, NFL Dallas Cowboys

     Adrienne Maloof-Nassif -- Executive Vice President, Maloof Companies (NBA Sacramento Kings & Palms Casino and Resort)

     T. Boone Pickens -- Legendary Businessman

     Mike Post -- Grammy and Emmy Award-Winning Composer

     Rudy Ruettiger -- Notre Dame Football Legend and real life inspiration for the movie "Rudy"

     Junior Seau – NFL All-Pro Linebacker for San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins & NE Patriots

     Emmitt Smith – NFL All-Pro Running Back for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals

     Roger Staubach -- NFL Hall of Fame former Dallas Cowboys QB & Super Bowl MVP

     Barry Switzer – Former Dallas Cowboys Head Football Coach

     Doug Williams -- Super Bowl MVP, former Washington Redskins QB

“It has been extremely gratifying to see so many great Americans unite behind this cause to create a permanent home to save these magnificent national treasures,” said Madeleine Pickens. “Their support means the world to Boone and me.”

“I am proud to join Madeleine Pickens to help save America’s Wild Horses,” said Coach June Jones.  “I believe in Madeleine and I believe in this cause.  And what better connection than to have the Head Football Coach of the Mustangs, the only Division I school with that mascot name to be part of this mission.  Her leadership on this critical issue is a personal inspiration to me, and I know that together we will be able to make a difference.”

To help raise awareness and build support for the campaign, Coach Jones and Madeleine Pickens have sent out a letter to all High Schools that have horse-related mascots, including the Mustangs, the Broncos, the Cowboys, the Colts, the Stallions, the Caballeros and the Mavericks, asking them to join in this effort.  Members of the general public also can demonstrate their support, by visiting www.MadeleinesMustangs.org.

Mission Statement of Madeleine Pickens’ National Wild Horse Foundation

Wild horses are a living symbol of our American heritage and freedom.  These Mustangs must be protected. Businesswoman and philanthropist Madeleine Pickens is committed to this promise. Through her National Wild Horse Foundation, citizens from all walks of life are uniting to create a permanent home, a sanctuary, to save these magnificent national treasures.

Story from MadeleinesMustangs.com

Photos courtesy of Madeleine Pickens