Who We Are
Founded in 2018, the Wyoming Mustang Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that hosts events, clinics, shows and volunteer opportunities throughout the year to promote the wild horses and burros we all love. These special horses are capable of so much and the Wyoming Mustang Association exists to give owners, riders and trainers a platform to grow their bond and develop a true community.
We work closely with the Bureau of Land Management and the Mustang Heritage Foundation for several annual events including Wyoming Mustang and Burro Days and the Wyoming TIP Challenge (when available).
Whether you have a wild horse or burro you're proud to call your own or you're just an admirer, we'd be happy to have you as part of our community! The WMA hosts a variety of events throughout the year so if the show ring isn't your bag, we've got you covered with organized trail rides, BurroCross hikes and skill building clinics - all of which work toward year end awards!
MARILLYN IVAN, PRESIDENT
Marillyn is the current President of the Wyoming Mustang Association and lives in Kinnear, WY (a tiny town between Riverton and Dubois). She has served as the Secretary from August 2022 until December of 2024. She is originally from Illinois and moved to Wyoming in 2012, where she then started observing mustangs in the wild. She fell in love with a stallion in Stewart Creek (that is still wild) and started learning more about mustangs and visiting different HMAs. She was the Carbon County 4-H Drill Team Leader for 2 years. In 2014, she became a member of the 40 Something Cowgirls, Green River, WY chapter and was the office manager/Secretary for the Sweetwater Ranch Sort Club for 5 years. When she moved to Kinnear in 2019, she became the 40 Something Cowgirls, Kinnear, WY Chapter Queen and founded that chapter. She brings leadership, creativity, communication, and organizational qualities to the WMA. In January of 2020, she took the leap and adopted a 6 month old mustang gelding from the Fifteenmile HMA in Wyoming (He has an Arapaho name that is difficult to pronounce, so he is nicknamed Jaw). He is the first horse she has started and she has participated or competed in the WMA Horse show since 2020. They are a constant work in progress and she has high aspirations for their partnership. She has found a profound love for mustangs and their incredible minds. She is looking forward to being a valuable asset to the WMA, promoting her love of mustangs, and continuing her journey with her personal mustangs!
ANITA LAFOND, VICE PRESIDENT
My name is Anita LaFond. I was born and raised in Illinois but have called Wyoming my home for over 40 years. I am a retired military flight nurse, with my last assignment with the Wyoming Air National Guard. I currently own and operate a non-profit, Cheyenne Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The center provides therapy and lessons for Special Needs, Veterans, and their families in Cheyenne. I developed a love for Mustangs after friends introduced them to me. I adopted my first Mustang from Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2018- Miss Piggy. She has truly changed my horsemanship and level of appreciation for what a Mustang can bring to a person. She is a true love in my life and definitely Miss Congeniality wherever we go. She is going to finish her career out here at CTEC as a therapy horse. Her favorite speed is to walk and eat. I am also the drill/parade chairman for the Cheyenne Saddle Tramps. There, Miss P and I won our first buckle together. I have now adopted a second Mustang, named Samson, a big gelding from Antelope Hills, HMA. We are starting our journey together and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together. I am very excited about being Vice President and an active member of the Wyoming Mustang Association!
SUSAN BENNING, TREASURER
My name is Susan Benning. I am currently the WMA Treasurer and live 25 miles west of Cheyenne. I am a Wyoming native, born on FE Warren Air Force Base. I am a graduate of Laramie County Community College and the University of Wyoming. I have been involved in Wyoming horse activities since 2002. I was a certified 4-H Horse Leader, a member of the 4-H Horse Committee, and the Laramie County 4-H Horseshow CO-Superintendent for many years. I have been a Member of the Cheyenne Saddle Tramps Riding Club for over 20 years. I am currently the treasurer for this club; however, I have acted as the show chair, the gymkhana chair and have held other Board offices. I have facilitated or ran many horse clinics, horse shows, gymkhanas, fun shows, and horse camps over the years. I am trying to improve my own riding and training skills after spending so many years as a coach.
I am new to mustang ownership with my adoption of Winston. Winston is an Adobe Town gelding I adopted during Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2018. I am super excited to be experiencing the joys and challenges that come with mustang ownership and to have an active part of the WMA.
CINDY SMITH, SECRETARY
Bio coming soon!