Heroes On Horses

Healing Through Riding

In addition to Equestrians With Disabilities, the Foundation also promotes classes in which riders who are disabled veterans or active duty “wounded warriors” and participate in PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes or have a Department of Veteran Affairs disability rating are eligible to compete, called Heroes On Horses.

 Scottsdale, Arizona

During the Sun Circuit at West World in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Arizona Quarter Horse Association will be home to  its third annual Heroes On Horses Western Pleasure and Parade of Heroes. Veterans will be honored in the Parade of Heroes, with an exhibitors’ lunch, and with a Heroes on Horses Western Pleasure class.

The Parade of Heroes - a signature ceremony of the Heroes on Horses program - was comprised of over 150 flag bearers, each bearer marching into formation to honor and celebrate the heroes competing in the class. Attendees are treated to a presentation of the riderless horse, a tribute to those soldiers that paid the ultimate price in combat for their county, and a beautiful symbol to memorialize the cost of freedom.

Thank you to all of our heroes for their service and thank you to all attendees who participated and helped celebrate our veterans! The entire event is an ongoing, special project through the NSBA Foundation, sponsored by the Bob and Ingrid Miller Family of Mesa, Arizona, to bring Heroes on Horses to a venue in the Western United States.

Attendees at the 2023 Heroes On Horses getting ready to carry flags in the Parade Of Heroes.
Photo Credit: Kristin Spinning

Tulsa, Oklahoma

While the nationally recognized holiday for veterans may be held in November, the first Saturday of the NSBA World Championship Show has unofficially become known as Veteran's Day at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex.

First introduced in 2011, the NSBA World Championship Show is the original venue of the Heroes On Horses program. What stemmed from a single class for veterans has evolved into a two-day event for these competitors. The exhibitors and their horses and welcomed to the Ranger Arena for practice the first evening, in which professional trainers from across the country assist them with encouraging words and tips to successfully show their horses. Following the practice, exhibitors, their coaches, and their families are invited to a Welcome Dinner - in which they share great food, conversation, and camaraderie with their fellow veterans.

The veteran's big evening is initiated with the famous Parade of Heroes, the presentation of the Riderless Horse, and the ceremonial unfolding of the flag. The Parade of Heroes is comprised of show attendees, NSBA members, NSBA sponsors, NSBA Foundation, and NSBA representatives, each bearing a flag in tribute to the veterans and honoring the sacrifices they made for our country.

Attendings and competitors from across the nation gather to honor our veterans in the Parade of Heroes.
Photo Credit: Kamryn Aylesworth

Exhibitors honing their skills with nationally renowned professionals at the Heroes On Horses Bootcamp prior to competition
Photo Credit: Kamryn Aylesworth

Third Place exhibitor receiving an NSBA Bronze Trophy
Photo Credit: Kamryn Aylesworth

Columbus, Ohio

The All American Quarter Horse Congress welcomes veterans from the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy for camaraderie, fellowship, and some friendly competition each October at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, in Columbus, OH.

The competition is just one part of two days devoted to the veterans. The exhibitors and their horses are welcomed to the Celeste Center for practice for their class, and professional trainers from throughout the show world assist them with encouraging words and tips to be more successful in their class.

The veterans are also treated to a brunch the morning of the competition, and later a cocktail hour following their classes. NSBA members, corporate sponsors, and Congress Arena Team sponsors provide a colorful and patriotic Parade of Heroes as a way to thank the veterans for their service and recognize the sacrifices they have made. Following the procession, the veterans put their game faces on as they prepare for competition in the Heroes On Horses Assisted and Heroes On Horses Independent classes.

Attendings and competitors from across the nation gather to honor our veterans in the Parade of Heroes.
Photo Credit: Sally Blackwell

Exhibitors competing, celebrating, and sharing camaraderie with their peers.
Photo Credit: Sally Blackwell

Fort Worth, Texas

Entries

The National Snaffle Bit Association Foundation and the American Paint Horse Association look forward to partnering in order to grow the opportunities for United States veterans to compete and be recognized within the horse show community. Veterans will be welcomed to the APHA World Show for camaraderie and competition through the Heroes on Horses program. A practice session with professional horsemen, as well as a welcome dinner for participants, their families, and support team, will be held the day prior to competition.

The next day veterans will prepare their horses for competition in the morning. Exhibitors and spectators at the APHA World Show will join together to recognize and thank all who have served our country during the Parade of Heroes. Following this exhibition, competition in the Heroes on Horses Walk Jog Western Pleasure will begin for our veteran exhibitors.
Schedule:

• July 3rd - Practice Ride Boot Camp with APHA Professional Horsemen - time and arena tbd
• July 3rd - Dinner for veterans and their families - time and location tbd
• July 4th - Parade of Heroes  - John Justin Arena - approximately 11:30 am followed by  Heroes on Horses Walk Trot Western Pleasure class 
• July 4th - Exhibitor Lunch  - John Justin Arena - approximately 11:30 am  

Criteria

Veterans in PATH Int. Equine Services programs are invited to participate in the NSBA World Championship Show “Heroes on Horses” competition.

• Riders may be disabled veterans, active military or retired veterans, who are participating in PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes programs, or have a Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating.
  
• The individuals’ PATH facilities will be responsible for verifying the eligibility of riders participating in Equine Services for Heroes programs.
  
• For Disabled Veterans who do not participate in a therapeutic riding program, please submit the Department of Veteran Affairs letter recording the dates of service, the Service-connected Disability Rating and the date it was awarded. Please black out all other personal information included in the letter, such as social security number and monthly award.
  
• All Heroes on Horses exhibitors must submit the Rider Eligibility Form.
  
• Horses are not required to be registered or owned by the rider or facility. 
  

Sponsor A Rider

The NSBA Foundation provides support for riders participating in the Equestrians With Disabilities, and the Veteran Heroes on Horses programs, by assisting in funding their World Championship Experience. Through the "90 Riders In 90 Days" campaign, the Foundation is seeking 90 sponsors for 90 Equestrians With Disabilities and Heroes on Horses exhibitors .

Learn more