Horses Among Heroes
Not a dry eye was to be found in the Ford Truck Arena last tonight at the annual Heroes on Horses event in Tulsa, OK. Saturday culminated in honoring our nation’s veterans with the Parade of Veterans and the Heroes On Horses Walk Jog Western Pleasure – an equestrian competition specifically for active or former members of the United States military. A record number of flag bearers participated in a heartfelt display of camaraderie and deep gratitude toward our servicemen and women in the Parade of Heroes.
The presentation of flags was followed by the riderless horse, a time-honored tradition made famous by The Old Guard serving Arlington National Cemetery. For hundreds of years, the riderless horse has been used in military parades to remember fallen soldiers. It's a symbol of cavalry or mounted troops who have died in battle. The simple black boots, reversed in the stirrups represent the fallen soldier, looking back on his troops for the last time.
The Heroes On Horses classes for veterans of the armed forces began at the NSBA World Championship Show in 2011, and the association has been saluting them ever since. Veterans were treated to a special practice session, during which NSBA professional trainers assisted and coached the riders and their horses. NSBA also hosted an ice cream social where the veterans could gather away from the competition.
Kristie Kay Vollrath showed KM Flat Out The Best flawlessly to earn the world championship title. Kristie came to the NSBA World Show with Horses With H.E.A.R.T. Therapy Center, of Chino Valley, Arizona, where she also works as the horse coordinator. Kristie served in the Marine Corps for three years of active service, where she worked in the MIA/POW division.
“This is my third time to show in a Heroes On Horses class,” Kristie said. “I showed in the class the past two years in Arizona, and I decided to come here. I’ve been riding for about five years. It gives me confidence, and I enjoy the camaraderie with the other riders. It’s a feel-good thing. The horses are so forgiving.
“Showing a horse was never on my radar, but when the opportunity to do it came up, I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it. It’s way out of my comfort zone. I never thought I’d win, but I did have the absolute best show partner with KM Flat Out The Best. The best part about this whole experience has been the kindness that everyone has shown me. So many people gave of themselves and sponsored me and several other riders, so that we could do this. It’s an incredible experience, and I’m so proud to participate.”
The NSBA World Championship Show will take over the Ford Arena, the Mustang Arena and the Pavilion on Sunday, and the NSBA Honors award banquet will also be held Sunday evening. The NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity continues through Sunday, August 20. To view complete show results, please visit nsba.com and look for World Show Results under the World Show tab.
Kristie Kay Vollrath
Helen Voss
John Halpin III
Complete Resuts from the Heroes On Horses Walk Jog Western Pleasure:
| World Champion | Kristy Kay Vollrath, KM Flat Out The Best, three years in MIA/POW division, UUS Marine Corp |
|---|---|
| Reserve Champion | Helenn Voss, Tip Off To Sleep, ten years active duty, UUs Air Force |
| Third Place | John Halpin III, Megas Playboy, retired Sargent Major, Recon US Marines, 24 years |
| Fourth Place | Jackie Egan, Chockstar, two and a half years US Navy Airman Apprentice Plane Captain |
| Fifth Place | Justin Rahls, Setting The Stage, 12 years US Army National Guard |
| Sixth Place | Robert Yarger, Made Ona Impulse, two years 9th Infantry, US Army |
| Seventh Place | Larry Pittingshrud, Mr AOK Talkin Cooper, two years 25th Infantry, US Army |
| Eight Place | Natalie Sutto, Tinys Annie, six years active duty and three years reserves, US Air Force nurse and medical officer |
| Ninth Place | Kendra Begley, Lazy Assets, four years as Gunners Mate Third Class Petty Officer, US Navy |
| Tenth Place | Bruce Cummings, Shes Zippin Rageous, seven years Infantry and Special Forces, US Army |
The 2023 NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity continues through Sunday, August 20. To view complete show results, view the live video feed or learn more about the show or NSBA, please visit nsba.com.
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About the NSBA Foundation
The National Snaffle Bit Association Foundation is the non-profit 501(c)3 arm of the National Snaffle Bit Association. Operating under a separate board of directors, the NSBA Foundation serves NSBA’s more than 20,000 members, the equine therapeutic community and the equine community at large through educational programming, scholarships, and financial assistance to equine professionals in crisis. The NSBA Foundation also works to keep animal welfare at the forefront of the equine industry. To learn more, please visit nsba.com/foundation.
