The 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress honored our military veterans in two ways on Friday. Fourteen veterans competed in the Heroes On Horses class, and each was individually recognized during the ride in to the class.
The Whitehall Honor Guard provided the nation’s colors and a live rendition of the national anthem sent the class off in patriotic fashion.
When the judges’ cards were tallied, Robert Yarger, of Saline, Michigan, showed Surely Im Invited, to win the class. “I’ve ridden probably off and on since I was three,” Robert said. “My wife and I ride once a week at Grass Lake, Michigan, at Rose Haven Farm.
Robert served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971, serving in the 9th Division and 4th Division mechanized cavalry. He was stationed in Quang Tri province in Vietnam as well as stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“At Vietnam, it was an unpopular war and the veterans were almost a secret society,” Robert said. “Now it’s changed, and it’s completely different. I really enjoyed meeting the other veterans and getting to talk to them. Our advice to each other was just to go in there and have fun, but we’re all competitors too.”
Robert and his wife first learned about the Heroes On Horses class while attended the NSBA World Championship Show. “We had gone to the NSBA World Show to watch our grandson, Connor Collinsworth, show in 2019, and after that, I realized I had to go (in the Heroes On Horses class),” he said. Robert showed in the NSBA World Show Heroes On Horses class in 2023, and set his sights on the Congress Heroes On Horses class for this year.
Returning to horses has been a blessing to this Army veteran. “Being able to ride again brought me self-fulfillment,” he said. “I was injured for a while and I hadn’t ridden in a while. I started back at least ten years ago. You know the children talk about unicorns, well these horses really are unicorns. You just gotta believe in them.”
The complete class placings included:
First- Surely Im Invited, Robert Yarger, United States Army mechanized cavalry
Second – Certainly A Hot Chip, Jessica Fry, United States Army 2nd Infantry division MEDDAC, TRADOC, healthcare specialist, respiratory therapist, burn unit
Third – Brock Lesnar, Helenn Voss, ten years active duty in the United States Air Force medical service including one year in Iraq as a combat stress control medic in the Armory 81st.
Fourth – Repeat Investor, Lyndon Lehman, United States Army serving as an 88M motor transport operator responsible for operating and supervising tactical wheeled vehicles and equipment supporting combat operations, serving in the Gulf War in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Fifth – Sheez Got A Way About Her, Heidi Steinway, eight years in United States Army Vet Corps as an animal health technician serving in Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and Dog Center Europe, protecting K-9s by providing veterinary medical and surgical care.
Sixth – A Cinchy Cowboy, Christina Griffith, six years in the Army National Guard in Columbus, Ohio, with the National Guard having a unique role in both community and country reponses to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more.
Seventh – Ima Cool Blaze, Christy Fitzpatrick, United States Army, serving at Fort Sam Houston in Texas as well as the Foxtrot 27th Main Support Battalion First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, served in Desert Storm providing medical support on the front line, assigned to an armored unit that pushed into Iraq and provided medical support to soldiers cut off from the rest of their support.
Eighth – KM Lopin The Best, Luke McIntosh, enlisted in the 178th Wing Ohio Air National Guard as an aircraft engine mechanic, holding several positions in nine years of service, including Operation Freedom Centennial, and Operation Inherent Resolve. He continues to serve.
Ninth – Miss Vested Lazy, Matthew Dubon, served in the Air Force security forces for 12 years, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonia, Texas; Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana; Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware; and Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, Ohio.
Tenth – See My Breath, Patrick Davies, United States Army for 12 years as a heavy equipment operator, with cross-training in combat engineer and convoy security and later earned air assault wings serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom completing more than 30,000 combat miles.
Eleventh – Royal Rhythm, Brad Morris, United States Air Force, 3rd Security Forces in Anchorage, Alaska, deployed to Qatar and Iraq, following inactive service in the 445th Airlift Wing in the chaplain’s office until 2011.
Twelfth – Eve, Sara Coakley, United States Army medical laboratory specialist from 2006-2014, researching tests vital to diagnosing and treating injured soldiers and personnel. Her tour in Iraq from 2010-2011 saw her ensuring medics were well-prepared to collect, process and store blood.
Thirteenth – Sugar Itch, Chantal Fogarty, Maryland Army National Guard and active Guard Reserves for nearly 25 years, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, Kandahar, Afganistan from 2011-2012.
Fourteenth – Shiloh, Chris Lynch, United States Army from 2006-2014 as a chaplain assistant, protecting the chaplain in combat areas and providing logistical support to the chaplain professional ministry including a deployment to Iraq from 2012-2013.
The Congress Heroes On Horses exhibitors capped off their day by presenting the American flag during the opening of the 2024 Professional Bull Riders performance at the Congress.
Equestrians With Disabilities Get Warm Welcome
Exhibitors who will be competing in the Equestrians With Disabilities classes on Saturday and Sunday were welcomed to the 2024 Congress by Ohio Quarter Horse Association and National Snaffle Bit Association officials during a welcome dinner on Friday evening.
Exhibitors had the opportunity to receive answers to questions and provide input for future changes to the EWD event.
The All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through Sunday, October 27. Saturday’s events include Working Hunter and Equitation Over Fences classes in the Celeste Center, Longe Line, Small Fry and EWD classes as well as Level 1 Amateur Walk Trot Western Pleasure in the Coliseum and Small Fry and EWD Showmanship in Cooper Arena. To learn more, please visit the Quarter Horse Congress website or visit the Horse Show Tracker app.
