What is in a Name? A horse's name that is

There is so much to do before Friday when I pick up my Mustang for the Extreme Mustang Makeover Competition. I have had to get the training facility up to par (sorry to all the horses that trained there before in the pre-competition days, but I liked you just as much). I have been rearranging an entire summer schedule to allow for more training time (sorry honey, no vacation until after September) and I have hired a kid to help with all the farm work (thanks George but I am not sure you know how hot it will get this summer on a tractor).

Of all the things on the to-do list, I think naming my Mustang is the most fun. I was most excited about that single job. That is why I gave the task to the folks that are just excited about my summer project as I am - Allen Gate and Panel. When I talked with Mike Nevens about becoming a sponsor by way of donating a round pen for training, I ticked off the list of sponsor benefits I was providing for the summer. But after Mike responded and showed his support, I offered him a bit of fun I had been saving for myself.

When I pick up the Mustang this Friday, I won't be searching my childhood memories for a favorite pet name and I won't be pulling out my Internet research on names that mean champion and success, instead, I will be calling Mike. The staff at Allen Gate and Panel has an office competition going and the winner claims naming rights for my training Mustang.

I will admit that I have been running on excitement and exhaustion lately. I thought sharing the naming rights was a great way to show my appreciation, and then my sister pointed out that not everybody in Arkansas loves everybody in Kansas. It is just possible that a guy with an odd sense of humor could win the right and I will be training "Cutie Pie" or "Betty Boop" or "Razorback Pride". She rattled on some more heartburn inducing names as I imagined the next 3 months introducing my prize Mustang to everyone I meet.

So, here's my second plea to the staff at Allen Gate and Panel, take pity on a horse trainer from Kansas and don't make me blush every time I say my horse's name.