Today at the National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the attention shifts to honoring disabled veterans or active duty “wounded warriors” when two Heroes On Horses are featured in the Ford Truck Arena.

Both classes are Western Pleasure events – one for Independent riders and the other for Supported riders. Disabled veterans or active duty “wounded warriors” who are participating in PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes programs or who have a Department of Veteran Affairs disability have been invited to participate and there will be a parade for the participants before their classes begin.

The Heroes On Horses program is one of the programs administered by the NSBA Foundation.

“I really want to encourage people to support and attend the Heroes On Horses event,” says Foundation President Susan Knapp, of Van Meter, Iowa,

The Foundation is focused on raising funds enabling the association to run special programs such as the Equestrians With Disabilities (EWD) program, the Trainer Crisis Fund, the Youth Scholarship program, Heroes On Horses, and the Animal Welfare Fund, in addition to the Heroes On Horses program.

“People do not seem to understand what the Foundation is or what it does,” Knapp says. “The foundation is an arm of the association that raises money for and oversees various programs. That is the big message that we need people to understand.”

EWD Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Showmanship, Horsemanship and Trail classes, all at the Walk-Trot level, have been offered throughout the World Show this week. Competition is divided between Supported Rider and Independent Rider, depending on the needs of the competitor. The Foundation is working on offering these classes at more horse shows, Knapp says.

This year, for the first time, the Foundation is sponsoring EWD classes at the Quarter Horse Congress.

“Bringing these classes to the congress is the biggest addition we have made this year. We have committed to raising a total of $150,000 or $50,000 for three consecutive years so these classes can be offered,” Knapp says.

“The EWD program is a real gift for the children and adults who are fortunate enough to participate,” Knapp says.

There are many ways the public can assist the Heroes On Horses and EWD programs.

Knapp says that quite often, the people who want to participate in the EWD or Heroes On Horses events may not be able to afford to get to the show or hire a trainer. You could give up your air miles or donate a nice show jacket to a competitor. Not all help comes in the form of cash donations.

“If you want to help, but are not exactly sure how to do so, call the Foundation and they will help you find a way to contribute. There is definitely a lot of money to be raised, but contributing funds is not the only way to help out with these programs,” says Knapp. “We all love the horse, which is what brought us all together. I am big believer that we have to give back. We all have been blessed very much, because if we hadn’t been, we wouldn’t be on a horse today. The Foundation does good work and I would highly encourage other people to become involved.”