Congratulations to eight-year-old Jared Yoder of Celina, OH, for his winning essay that named the National Wild Horse Adoption Day Mascot Aquila, which means eagle in Spanish. Jared is pictured here with his big sister, Rachel, who is also a wild horse lover and supporter. Congratulations Jared and to all of of our mascot naming contest entrants, thanks for your support!

The National Wild Horse Adoption Day Mascot Naming Contest was a huge success. More than 50 entries were received from across the nation and beyond. Thanks to all of you for sending us some really cool names and congratulations to our Top Ten Winners whose essays are listed below with their Top Ten winning name.

Aguila, Jared Yoder, Celina, Ohio I would name this wonderful mustang Aguila because in Spanish it means "Eagle". The first mustangs in America were brought here by the Spaniards so I think it would be proper for the mascot to honor his/her original ansestors with a Espenol name. An eagle also represents freedom and flight just like the wild horse as it gallops free across the planes almost as if it were flying like the eagle.

American Spirit, Tara Holt, Gastoria, North Carolina I think that the name for the mascot of the National Wild Horse Adoption Day should be American Spirit because that name resembles our country in many ways. The wild horses helped to shape our country from the very beginning. Without the wild horses we would not be the country we are today. They are a symbol of how wild and free the west used to be and still is, in some places. Losing the wild horses would be like losing a big part of our heritage. It would be like losing the American eagle. We need to protect the wild horses and keep their spirit strong so that all Americans can appreciate what they mean to us.

Chance, Tiphani Beckett, Norwich, Ohio I think that the mascot's name should be 'Chance' because every horse, wild or not, deserves a first chance or a second chance at a better life. Chance is a good name for the mascot because it symbolizes the chances that we should give every wildhorse. This represents all the chances wild horses should get, other horses do so why not them too.

Freedom, Jess Vordermeier, Charlotte, North Carolina I think the horse mascot should be named Freedom. I think this because mustangs were always free, and even though people have been buying, and training them, they are still wild, and free at heart. The mascot of a mustang should represent freedom, because mustangs are a pure picture of freedom. You can take a horse out of the wild, but you can't take the wild out of a horse. Mustangs have always been, and I hope always will be free, and a perfect picture of freedom.

Freedom's Whisper, Brooke Putnam, Clyde, North Carolina I chose this name for two reasons, the first reason is: Freedom. Before the wild horses are brought in from the range, they are free to do whatever they like. Free to roam, to run, to be part of a herd. They get to do as they please with no one to stop them. They get to live the life God meant for them to live. Free without our contact ever being involved. They get to be just how they want, without us trying to make them something they're not. For the second part: Whisper. Though they are brought in and sold to good homes and trained, they still have that whisper of the wild coursing through their veins, the memeory of life on the range. And though they turn out to be good horses for people to ride, they will always be wild. No matter what. No one will ever be able to tame them completely. Horses need playtime as much as we do. They need time to themselves like we do too. They need to be able to graze some hours of the day. They need time to relax too. I chose the combination of the two because it symbolizes both the freedom that all horses have inside of them and it also shows the tame side to them. But no matter what our four legged friends will always be wild on the inside. And that's why I chose the name Freedom's Whisper for the mascot.

Legacy's Legend, Merlin Breen, Melrose, Florida I think that the mascot should be called Legacy's Legend because after all these horses are a legacy to this great country of ours and they have lived through countless legends and will contine to do so for the next generations of people to come.

Liridana (female) Liridon (male), Sara Foster The name I have chosen for the mascot of National Wild Horse Adoption Day. The reason I chose this name is because the name stands for everything the Mustang stands for. Such as Freedom; Something for which all strive. Unbroken Spirit - Which allows us to our own decisions. Wisdom - Which gives us the knowledge to make the best choices. Power - The ability to hold off our enemies and provide for our families. Tensity - The ability to stand with fortitude by our choices. This name is powerful when fully understood.Just like the Mustang. This name might not sound English but it is quite common for people who come from powerful families. Just as the Mustang comes from Powerful horses and Great Bloodlines, such as the Andalusian, Arabian, Barb, and the Jennet lines. Many people do not get this, because most name are based on the look of the horse instead of bloodline, history and the soul of the horse. Some names can never fill the real potential of these unique horses, but some do such as the name which I have chosen.

Patriot, Taylor Soto, Kenosha, Wisconsin I choose patriot because wild horses such as the mustangs are part of our history. Patriot means to defend one loves country. Just like the wild mustangs when they defend their herd for love when some thing or someone threatens them. I love wild mustangs and I hope you find homes for all the beloved horses known as wild mustangs!

Tohopka, Shelby, Thompson, Connecticut Hopi name meaning "wild beast." Tohopka is a young bachelor stallion, a red chestnut with a broken stripe running down his face. He has one glass eye and a brown eye. His mane rippling like black flames as the wind blows across the prairie. A horse with perfect conformation. He's clever, and as if he knows it, proudly holds his head high. His name capturees the image of a wild strong stallion galloping across the western frontier. The land stretching for miles, to meet the distant mountains reaching toward the blue sky where the eagles fly. This red chestnut stallion is a young legend of his own to the Hopi tribes as being a wild outlaw (untamable). Wild as the land he calls home, he challenges all. Many young braves, as well a cowboys, tried to capture and tame this beautiful wild spirit, but only to fail at their attempts. He inherited his name from all the men who were unable to tame his spirit. The stories they wove became his legend. Tohopka knows it too and never fails to express it by his demeanor. Any man would long for such a horse as Tohopka who has proved to be handsome in appearance and demonstrates his strength and courage. His mustang spirit makes him strong, intelligent, and courageous... everything a wild horse would need to survive in the challenges of this wild place he calls home. May his legend live on.

Yuga, Abigail, Edmond, Oklahoma A wonderful name for the National Wild Horse Adoption Day mascot would be Yuga, which in Sanskrit means forever or ages . This year, my family adopted a little girl from an orphanage India, and she has become forever ours. It is as if Yuga was always my little sister. I consider the same relationship is there for a horse and its owner. A mustang, which once belonged to the wild, is joined with a person dedicated to improve the life of the horse and bring it into his or her forever family. I believe that because Yuga means forever, indicating a long, lasting relationship, Yuga would be a meaningful name for the mascot of the National Wild Horse Adoption Day.