POST FALLS - BB's Smokey Dun was destined to be put down twice.

Now the American Blazer horse owned by Post Falls' Diane Robson could be a star on TV.

The horse, with Robson riding, collided head-on with another during a drill team performance last year at a Spokane rodeo and sustained serious injuries.

"He showed such tremendous heart and a will to live," Robson said. "If he hadn't taken the blow, it would have been me (who got hurt). He saved me that day."

Before Robson worked with the horse, the previous owner considered putting it down because it had a "horrible attitude" and wasn't a bit friendly to people.

Robson hopes the BB's Smokey Dun comeback story and new abilities impressed judges for the new TV show "America's Favorite Trail Horse" during an audition Monday at Red Top Stables north of Post Falls.

About 25 horses and their owners from throughout the Inland Northwest and Montana participated.

The show, patterned after "America's Idol," is holding 26 auditions nationwide.

The top 100 horses advance to the 13-week airing of the show in Austin, Texas, this summer on RFD-TV and RR-TV. America will vote on their favorite horse and its story during the shows.

The program is sponsored by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association, which aims to stop horse neglect and sponsors trail rides.

During the audition, the horses were taken through an obstacle course, did a freestyle performance and the owners were interviewed by a panel.

Many of the horses were close to being put down for various reasons, neglected or didn't show a willingness to be trained earlier.

"We're looking for a confident, calm and reliable trail horse," said Carrie Scrima, ACTHA co-founder. "We want to show America that these are more than just trail horses."

Robson, who manages Red Top Stables, offered up the indoor facility as an audition site for the TV program as the next-closest site is Redmond, Ore.

Dayna Turner, from Lowden, Wash., near Walla Walla, made the four-hour trip with her horse, Emi.

"She's a wild red head and we've been trying to get her settled down for 12 years," Turner said of Emi.

When Emi resisted "horse ballet" competitions, Turner decided to give up on something that Emi didn't want to become.

"So I traded in my black English boots for Tony Lamas (Western boots)," Turner said.

Turner's husband Jimmye played "Daisy a Day" on the guitar for Emi and Turner during the audition.

Jimmye said the audition was worth the trip.

"It's an adventure," he said.

Spokane 17-year-old Madi Casto fought back tears as she shared with the judges the story on her horse, Sparky.

The previous owner said the quarterhorse is "worth nothing" and Casto picked Sparky up at a sale. Sparky even resisted getting in the trailer after the sale.

"She just didn't fit the program of being manhandled," Casto said.

Casto worked with Sparky to make her calm and she even placed third at a state gaming contest.

"I've paid a lot for other horses, but this one has done more for me," she said. "She trusts me and has come a long ways."

Casto's emotional testimony captured the attention of ACTHA staff.

"We can see that you love her, Madi," said Anne Kuhlmann of the ACHTA. "She's precious. Thank you for bringing her to us."