A year ago, NCHA Executive Director Jay Winborn started the Military Cutting Challenge as a way for those who previously served in the military to heal using equine therapy.
This exciting three-day challenge starts with every challenger being paired with a well-known cutting horse trainer. Each day riders gain knowledge and confidence in order to showcase their skills on competition day.
“I took a green beret riding the other day, introducing him to cutting and we were talking on the way home and he’s like it was exhilarating, it was terrifying, at any moment you could be gone, you could be gone and off of that horse, and I was like it kind of reminds us of combat,” Executive Director of the Special Forces Foundation Ignacio Garza said.
Hosting this event has not only helped numerous special operations men to heal, but it has also given many of them a love for the cutting horse world. Multiple participants from last year have gone on to buy a cutting horse and compete on their own.
This event will be held and open to public viewing on Aug. 3, 2024 at the Will Rodgers Memorial Center in Fort Worth.