2024 marked the third year for Heroes On Horses to be held as part of the Arizona Sun Circuit in Scottsdale. It is one of four Heroes On Horses events held around the country. Heroes On Horses classes are also being held at the American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas, NSBA World Championship Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. The Arizona event was made possible through a generous grant by the Bob and Ingrid Miller family and was held on March 6.
“It is our vision that this financial support will bring additional awareness to the ‘Model of Inclusion’ the NSBA embodies by including veterans who participate in therapeutic riding programs across the country. My husband, Bob, and I feel this is a small way our family can say thank you to the brave men and women whose service and sacrifice allows us the freedom to enjoy and love our show horses” said Ingrid Miller, exhibitor and lifetime member of the NSBA.
Congratulations to this year’s top five competitors:
Champion - Nathanael Thraall (pictured at left)
Reserve champion - Shurray Barnes (pictured at right)
Third - John Halpin
Fourth - Kristie Vollrath
Fifth - Sandy Meadowcrof
As part of the NSBA Equestrians with Disabilities division, the Heroes on Horses program is a catalyst for recognition and thanks to military service men and women who ride and compete.
The Heroes On Horses event is open to all military personnel including disabled veterans, veterans participating in a PATH Intl. equine services, veterans who have a Department of Veteran Affairs disability rating and able-bodied veterans who enjoy riding.
Prior to the competition and Parade of Heroes, veterans, their families, therapeutic riding centers, NSBA Foundation board members and donors came together for a dinner of fellowship to celebrate the event. During the dinner, veteran Shurray Barnes was awarded with the Quilt Of Valor.
The Quilt of Valor ® is a civilian award presented for an individual’s service and sacrifice to defend our Country’s freedoms. The Mission of the Quilts of Valor® Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
Quilts of Valor Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Catherine Roberts, a blue star mom whose son Nate was stationed in Iraq.
The first Quilt of Valor was awarded at Walter Reed Hospital in 2003. Since that date, over 350,000 Quilts, nationwide and overseas have been awarded. Any Veteran of any war, male or female, of any age, whether they served stateside or abroad who were honorably discharged are eligible for a Quilt of Valor.
Recipients often state it means more to them than any of the military medals they received - BECAUSE if comes from the heart and hands of the makers, their community and their nation. A Quilt of Valor is a “Thank You” for the veteran's service and sacrifice. It is customary to wrap the veteran in their quilt, as pictured at left. These quilts are meant to be used, and not hung up for decoration and never touched.
Since Heroes On Horses classes began 12 years ago, approximately 300 veterans have participated and been recognized through the program.
NSBA’s Equestrians with Disabilities and Heroes on Horses provide a platform for independent and supported riders to participate in NSBA horse shows and other forms of competition. The programs are open to any age rider in Western and English disciplines.
For more information about Heroes On Horses, please visit nsba.com/heroes-on-horses.
Photos courtesy of the Sun Circuit.
