"Mustangs aren’t for the faint of heart—you have to dig deep, think outside the box, and earn their trust." - Ann Hanlin
I first met eventing rider, trainer, and mustang rescue advocate Ann Hanlin at the Mustang Classic at Kentucky Horse Park in September 2024, where she and her entry, QR Code, delivered an unforgettable performance, earning 5th place overall.
Ann’s passion for mustangs runs deep—she has rescued and trained nearly 30, dedicating herself to proving their resilience, intelligence, and heart. Her journey is one of grit, patience, and unwavering commitment—not only to the mustangs she transforms but also to her role as a mother to two boys.
I am honored to welcome Ann as a 16C Brand Champion, Sponsored Rider for 2025, recognizing her dedication, expertise, and the incredible work she does to give these horses a second chance.
As VP of the Mustang Champions board in 2024, I had the privilege of sponsoring the Mustang Classic and witnessing Ann’s talent and devotion firsthand. Seeing her journey unfold makes it even more exciting to welcome her into the 16C family this year.
Enjoy February’s Field Notes on Ann,
– Emily
photography by Ann Sherwood unless otherwise noted
Q: When and how did you first discover your love for horses and riding? What influenced you to begin?
A: I started riding at a very young age. I was blessed with horse-crazy parents, so you could say it’s in my DNA.
Q: How has your experience as an eventing rider shaped your approach to training and working with mustangs?
A: I think eventing riders are a bit crazier than most equestrians—and working with mustangs isn’t for the faint of heart. So, having a little bit of that crazy definitely helps! Training a mustang is truly starting from scratch, and in many ways, it’s like looking in the mirror. You have to have the grit to dig deep, think outside the box, and adapt constantly. But just like eventing—riding down the centerline, jumping through the flags, and galloping through the finish—the reward is unmatched.
Q: Were there any pivotal moments or challenges in your journey that led you to where you are today?
A: Absolutely. Woodrow’s arrival was a turning point. When he showed up with a mustache, it instantly reminded me of my dad’s handlebar mustache. I had lost my dad in January 2016 and my heart horse in January 2018, and I truly believe that winning Woodrow’s bid in February 2018 was fate. His online auction was highly competitive, but by the grace of God, I won. When I met him in April 2018, I knew he had been sent to me from Heaven. At that time, I was feeling a bit lost, but Woodrow helped turn everything around. He has brought his fair share of challenges, but I owe where I am today to him, my dad, and the Lord—who have guided me on this journey.
Q: Over the years, how many mustangs have you rescued? How many are with you currently?
A: Hmmm, I think I’ve lost count—but I’d say around 26 to 28 mustangs over the years. Right now, I have three of my own, two for my kiddos, and a burro—so six total, but who’s counting? Lol!
Q: For equestrians who’ve never experienced working with a mustang, how is it different from training and bonding with other types of horses? What are some ways you build trust with yours?
A: I could talk about this forever—it’s one of my favorite topics and the reason mustangs have become such a huge passion of mine! To keep it somewhat short, you never truly understand what it’s like until you’ve owned a mustang. I worked with a lot of OTTBs before training mustangs, and it gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to start from scratch. Simple things—like haltering, leading, and grooming—are challenges in the beginning, which means you have to think outside the box to build trust and form a bond.
Q: What do you wish more people understood about mustangs as a breed and their potential after being rescued?
A: That they aren’t all wild and crazy—Hollywood doesn’t give a true representation of what mustangs are really like. I always say, if you’re not willing to take the time to build a relationship with a horse, then mustangs aren’t for you. They thrive on trust and connection, and once that bond is established, their potential is endless.
Q: What have Woodrow & QR taught you about resilience and partnership?
A: Take the time that it takes—and don’t compare your journey to others. Just like us, they are individuals, each with their own timeline. The key is to put in the time, trust the process, and enjoy the journey—because in the end, the rewards are well worth it!
Q: Can you share a specific breakthrough moment you’ve had with QR Code or Woodrow that stands out?
A: One of the biggest breakthroughs I had with Woodrow was the day he bucked me off. After that, a photographer in Wyoming called me and said, “Quit giving him treats and babying him. He was a band stallion—be his boss mare.” That advice completely shifted my approach. I spent two days focusing on groundwork, getting him unstuck, and desensitizing him. It was a turning point in our journey—and the last time he ever bucked me off!
Q: The Mustang Classic at Kentucky Horse Park: What was it like preparing for this with QR Code, and how was the overall experience of the show?
A: Preparing for the Mustang Classic with QR Code was stressful, fun, frustrating, overwhelming, and rewarding—all at once. He has been a challenge from the start, but when it mattered most, he pulled through, making every bit of hard work worth it. We had 11 months to prepare, and he truly needed that time. A shorter training period wouldn’t have suited him, but the extra months allowed him to grow, develop, and prove himself in the arena.
The show itself was an incredible experience. Competing in the Rolex Arena had always been a dream of mine, and I knew this was my chance to make it happen. The two biggest highlights were my freestyle performance and placing 5th overall. I had never done a freestyle before, so while it was nerve-wracking, it turned out to be a ton of fun. Finishing in the top 5 across all classes was beyond what I had hoped for—I went in simply aiming to make the top 20 out of 60 entries, so this truly was a dream come true.
Q: What’s a funny or quirky trait about Woodrow & QR—or both?
A: Woodrow is pretty perfect—but definitely quirky. Most people are surprised to learn that he doesn’t like other horses, which seems ironic since he was a band stallion. But when you think about it, his job was to protect his band—so to him, other horses were always a threat. Because of this, warm-ups have always been a challenge, bringing out his wild side. After all these years, though, I just laugh and know how to work through it.
As for QR Code—his barn name was almost "Quirky" because he has so many quirks! But I’m a bit superstitious and didn’t want those traits to stick, so we’ve kept it simple with “Q.” His biggest quirk? Getting his back up, squishing his tail, and acting like he’s about to catapult me over his ears! We are learning together how to work through it and his winning 16 cypress pad has helped tremendously.
Q: What is the Maryland Mustang Mission?
The Maryland Mustang Mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in January 2024, dedicated to spreading mustang awareness and education on the East Coast. Our mission is to showcase the incredible versatility of the American Mustang—demonstrating how these horses can go from wild to mild with the right training and care.
One of our biggest events is the Wild Horse Extravaganza and Mustang-Only Show, held over Labor Day Weekend. This event provides an opportunity for youth and adult trainers to present their newly domestic mustangs, highlighting their skills and transformation. It has been an incredible success—not just for the mustangs, but for the trainers as well! Seeing mustangs from past extravaganzas return for the open show, proving their versatility, is beyond rewarding.
Our goal is to continue growing this event, increasing awareness, and ultimately helping more mustangs transition out of holding facilities and into forever homes.