Horses4Heroes, one of the most successful equestrian service groups for the military, will be giving free horseback rides to Tulsa veterans and their families on Flag Day, June 14, during the Pinto World Championship Show.
Free horseback rides for veterans and families
Operation Free Ride is a collaboration between facility owners, breed associations and equestrian organizations, united to give returning combat veterans, Wounded Warriors and their families the opportunity to ride a horse for free.
Operation Free Ride Pinto will be held in The Pavilion at Expo Square from 4 pm to 6 pm. A Parade of Heroes, featuring Free Ride participants and Pinto exhibitors with military ties will follow at 7 pm in the Built Ford Tough Arena. Expo Square is located at 4145 East 21st Street. Parking and admission is free. This is the third year that Flag Day has been Horses4Heroes Day at the Pinto World Show.
Horses for Operation Free Ride Pinto will be provided by two local riding facilities, Labzara Ranch in Broken Arrow and West Equestrian Ranch in Sand Springs. Rides are open to all ages and a 200-pound weight limit will be strictly enforced. Riders 16 and under will be required to wear a helmet. In addition to horseback rides, participants will enjoy a performance by Patriot PAWS.
Operation Free Ride is an unprecedented collaboration between facility owners, breed associations and equestrian organizations, united for one important mission: to give returning combat veterans, Wounded Warriors and their families the opportunity to ride a horse for free. Launched one year ago in May, Operation Free Ride has been a "runaway success" according to Sydney Knott, president and executive director of Horses4Heroes.
"Operation Free Ride is a great opportunity for horse owners and their equestrian facilities to show their support for the soldiers, veterans and their families and participate in a nationwide community service project.
In addition to the Pinto World Championship Show, Horses4Heroes will be giving free rides during Cheyenne Frontier Days and the River City Rodeo in Omaha. Horses4Heroes also will be attending the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento June 7-9.
"This program is opening the wonderful world of horses to these men, women and their children who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. With thousands of troops returning home, programs like Operation Free Ride are important to PTS sufferers, Wounded Warriors, caregivers and their families," Knott added.
"In the past year, 'Free Riders' have participated in cattle drives and Civil War re-enactments, explored wooded forests and enjoyed arena lessons. One mother and her three daughters drove three hours to take their free ride at our host center in Indiana."
Founded in 2006 and based in Las Vegas, Horses4Heroes is introducing horses and horseback riding to service members, Veterans, First Responders and their families.
Through its growing national network of 240 centers in 44 states plus Canada, the organization provides affordable (sometimes free) recreational, instructional and health & wellness equestrian programs for all ages, all riding levels and in all disciplines. For more information, call 702.645.8446, 888.987.4376 (9US-HERO).