NEWS FROM THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD
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Covey Creek Ranch hosts Oklahoma National Guard kids for Horseback Heroes event

By Airman 1st Class Brigette Waltermire, Oklahoma Air National Guard Public Affairs·October 23, 2013

The Horseback Heroes Event

On a chilly fall Saturday, Covey Creek Ranch opened its gates for the second annual Horseback Heroes event, welcoming military families and their children for a full day of horse-related activities and the kind of wholehearted community celebration that Oklahoma does exceptionally well. The event brought together children of National Guard members and other military families for a day away from the ordinary pressures of military family life, surrounded by horses, volunteers, and community supporters who wanted to do something tangible for the kids who share in the sacrifice of service.

Children were separated into five age groups covering ages 5 through 17, each group identified by a different colored bandana and given a group identity to rally around. The youngest participants wore red bandanas and made their enthusiasm clear, chanting "Red! Reeeed!" with the kind of unselfconscious joy that comes naturally to small children handed a bandana and told they are part of a team. A horn signaled transitions between stations, and each group spent a half hour at each activity before rotating to the next.

The day concluded with a closing ceremony at which Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the adjutant general for Oklahoma, presented coins to volunteers and recognition awards to community partners. "The Soldiers and Airmen couldn't do what we do without you," Deering told the assembled families, giving voice to the truth that underpins every military family support program — that the families who wait at home are as essential to the mission as the soldiers and airmen who deploy.

Activities and Stations

The farrier station offered children a close-up look at the art and science of horseshoeing, taught by Eric Toben, an Oklahoma City native with years of professional experience caring for horses' hooves. Toben brought both expertise and a philosophy of respectful handling to his teaching, explaining to the children: "My job is to shoe the horses to promote a healthy foot and a healthy horse. I never bully them... I ask their permission." His approach modeled not just technical skill but the attitude of patience and respect that good horsemanship requires.

The calf-roping station drew enormous enthusiasm from the children, who learned the fundamentals of holding, throwing, and pulling a lasso from experienced instructors including Timber Moore, a national rodeo qualifier in calf roping. One standout moment came when Karsen Wonn made many successful throws during her very first time at the roping station, a performance that drew cheers and reflected the natural aptitude that some children discover when given the opportunity to try something new.

At the grooming and tack station, Hanna Triplett, a volunteer from Blanchard FFA, guided children through the process of cleaning hooves and brushing horses' coats, teaching them to read the animals' body language and handle them with confidence and care. The horseback riding station was the most popular of the day, with a horse named Loki emerging as a particular crowd favorite. Children who had never been on horseback found the experience thrilling, while those with prior riding experience appreciated the instruction and the time in the saddle.

Before any children approached the horses, Gerry Shepherd, president and CEO of Oklahoma Roofing and Sheet Metal and owner of Covey Creek Cattle Co., provided a safety briefing that balanced practical caution with humor. "We haven't had a horse kick — yet — so let the horse know you're there," he told the assembled group, drawing laughs while making sure the children understood the importance of approaching animals thoughtfully and safely.

Community Support

The Horseback Heroes event owes its existence to the convergence of military leadership and community generosity. Shepherd became involved after being approached by Maj. Gen. Deering, who recognized the opportunity to create something special for military families at a venue perfectly suited to the purpose. "We started this last year," Deering noted, acknowledging the event's growing tradition and the community relationships that had made it possible to repeat and improve upon the inaugural gathering.

A central figure in the event's founding was Amanda Eggleston, owner of Take Off Farms and coach of the University of Oklahoma Equestrian team, who hosted the very first Horseback Heroes event and generously provided horses for both the first and second annual gatherings. Eggleston's personal connection to the military — her father is a former military member and both of her parents work at Tinker Air Force Base — gave her deep motivation to support the cause. Her equestrian expertise and her network of horses, equipment, and skilled volunteers made the event possible in practical as well as conceptual terms.

The network of volunteers who staffed the stations represented a cross-section of Oklahoma's agricultural and equestrian communities, each contributing their expertise in service of the children who attended. From the FFA volunteer teaching grooming to the national rodeo competitor demonstrating roping technique, the event drew on Oklahoma's rich traditions of horsemanship and community service to create something genuinely valuable for military families. This intersection of Oklahoma's civilian and military communities, organized around shared values of service and appreciation, made Horseback Heroes far more than just a fun day at a ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Horseback Heroes event?

Horseback Heroes is an annual event organized in partnership with the Oklahoma National Guard and local community supporters to give children of military families a special day of outdoor, equestrian-themed activities. The event takes place at Covey Creek Ranch and features a variety of horse-related stations including horseback riding, buggy rides, calf roping, horseshoeing demonstrations, and grooming and tack instruction. Each activity is designed to be age-appropriate, educational, and fun, giving children a memorable experience that also connects them to Oklahoma's ranching and agricultural heritage.

The event was established to provide positive programming specifically for children who live with the unique stresses of having a parent serve in the National Guard or other branches of the military. The October 2013 gathering was the second annual Horseback Heroes event, building on the success of the inaugural event the previous year. Children are divided into age groups ranging from 5 to 17 years old, each identified by a different colored bandana, and rotate through stations in half-hour segments signaled by a horn. This structured but energetic format keeps younger children engaged while providing enough depth at each station to satisfy older participants.

The youngest group's enthusiastic chanting of "Red! Reeeed!" captured the spirit of excitement and pride that the event generates among its participants. For many of the children, the activities represent a rare opportunity to engage in hands-on learning with animals and traditional ranching skills in a supportive community environment where their military family status is celebrated rather than set aside. The sense of belonging and appreciation that the event fosters is central to its purpose.

Horseback Heroes is made possible by the generosity of community partners including landowners, corporate sponsors, and volunteers from the agricultural and equestrian communities. Gerry Shepherd, president and CEO of Oklahoma Roofing and Sheet Metal and owner of Covey Creek Cattle Co., became involved in the event after being approached by Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the adjutant general for Oklahoma. This kind of community partnership reflects the deep civic commitment that makes events like Horseback Heroes possible year after year.

How does the Oklahoma Air National Guard support military families?

The Oklahoma Air National Guard, like its Army counterpart, has developed a range of programs and resources specifically designed to support the families of Guard members throughout the deployment cycle and beyond. Family support groups affiliated with each unit provide a community of peers who understand the particular challenges of Guard family life, offering social connection, practical assistance, and emotional support for spouses, children, and other family members during periods when a Guard member is deployed, mobilized, or attending extended training. These grassroots support networks are often the most immediate and effective resource available to families navigating the demands of military service.

The Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program addresses the needs of families at critical points before, during, and after deployment, providing access to resources ranging from financial counseling and legal assistance to behavioral health services and childcare support. The program recognizes that the entire family serves when a Guard member deploys, and that returning soldiers and their loved ones may need support in rebuilding routines and relationships that were disrupted by months of separation. Events, workshops, and one-on-one counseling are all components of this comprehensive support effort.

Programs like Horseback Heroes represent the creative, community-based dimension of family support that the Air National Guard and Army National Guard both pursue. Rather than limiting support to formal services and counseling, these programs create positive shared experiences that build resilience and community among military families. The memory of a day spent at a ranch learning to rope calves and ride horses can be a source of joy and connection that sustains a child through the difficult periods of a parent's absence. This holistic approach to family support reflects an understanding that resilience is built through positive experiences, not just the mitigation of hardship.

Amanda Eggleston, owner of Take Off Farms and coach of the University of Oklahoma Equestrian team, hosted the first Horseback Heroes event and provided horses for both the inaugural and second-year events. Her father is a former military member and both of her parents work at Tinker Air Force Base, giving her a personal connection to the military community that motivated her generous support. Her involvement exemplifies the kind of individual commitment that transforms a good idea into a beloved annual tradition.

What is the Oklahoma Air National Guard?

The Oklahoma Air National Guard is the air component of the Oklahoma National Guard, a federally recognized military reserve force that serves both the state of Oklahoma and the federal government. The Air National Guard traces its roots to the earliest days of military aviation and has evolved over the decades into a sophisticated force equipped with modern aircraft and trained to perform a wide range of missions including air defense, combat operations, airlift, refueling, and intelligence gathering. Oklahoma's Air National Guard units are stationed primarily at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.

The 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker AFB is one of Oklahoma's most prominent Air National Guard units, operating KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft that provide aerial refueling support to military aircraft around the world. The 138th Fighter Wing at Tulsa International Airport flies F-16 Fighting Falcons, maintaining a combat air patrol capability that can be quickly integrated into national defense operations when needed. These units, along with numerous support and specialty organizations, form a comprehensive air power capability that Oklahoma contributes to both state and national security.

Like all National Guard units, the Oklahoma Air National Guard operates under a dual command structure in which units answer to both the governor of Oklahoma for state missions and the President of the United States for federal missions. This arrangement allows Guard units to respond to natural disasters, civil emergencies, and other state-level needs while also being available for activation into federal service during national emergencies or overseas deployments. Oklahoma Air Guard units have deployed to support operations around the world, including in the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific.

The men and women of the Oklahoma Air National Guard are citizen-airmen who balance their military service with civilian careers and family obligations, much like their Army National Guard counterparts. They bring a unique combination of military professionalism and civic rootedness that makes them deeply connected to the communities they protect and serve. Events like Horseback Heroes, organized in part through Air National Guard public affairs efforts, reflect the Guard's commitment to being not just a military force but a genuine partner in the life of Oklahoma's communities.

Why are community programs important for military children?

Children of military service members face a distinctive set of challenges that require targeted support and recognition. Frequent moves, extended parental absences during deployments, and the constant awareness of danger faced by a loved one in a combat zone can create emotional and developmental stresses that affect children across all age ranges, from toddlers to teenagers. Research on military children has consistently shown that the quality of social support available to these young people — both within the family and in the broader community — is a critical predictor of their resilience and wellbeing during and after parental deployments.

Community-based programs like Horseback Heroes address multiple dimensions of military children's needs simultaneously. By creating a shared experience in a fun, supportive environment, these events reduce the isolation that military children can feel, particularly in communities where relatively few families have a direct connection to military service. When children meet peers who share their experience of having a parent in the Guard or active military, they find validation for their feelings and build friendships with others who truly understand their circumstances. This sense of community is deeply valuable, especially for children in rural or suburban areas where military families may be less concentrated than near large installations.

The specific choice of equestrian activities for Horseback Heroes also reflects thoughtful programming that aligns with Oklahoma's cultural identity and provides genuine learning opportunities. Interactions with horses are widely recognized as having therapeutic and confidence-building benefits, and the skills taught at stations like horseshoeing, calf roping, and grooming connect children to Oklahoma's agricultural heritage in hands-on ways that many would not otherwise experience. Learning something new and succeeding at a challenge — like Karsen Wonn's successful throws during her first time at the roping station — builds self-efficacy that carries over into other areas of a child's life.

Maj. Gen. Myles Deering's comment to families at the closing ceremony — "The Soldiers and Airmen couldn't do what we do without you" — captures the essential truth that motivates programs like Horseback Heroes. The families who support Guard members from home carry a substantial burden of sacrifice, and recognizing that sacrifice in tangible ways helps sustain their commitment and resilience over multiple deployments and years of service. Investing in the wellbeing of military families is ultimately an investment in the readiness and sustainability of the force itself.

How do communities in Oklahoma support military families?

Oklahoma has developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the most military-supportive states in the nation, with deep cultural roots in military service that extend across generations and communities. The state's support for military families takes many forms, from formal programs administered by state agencies to informal expressions of gratitude and assistance offered by neighbors, employers, civic organizations, and faith communities. This culture of support reflects both the widespread presence of military families throughout the state and a genuine appreciation for the sacrifices that service entails.

Corporate and business community involvement in military family support programs is a particularly important dimension of Oklahoma's approach. Gerry Shepherd's decision to open Covey Creek Ranch for the Horseback Heroes event exemplifies the way Oklahoma business leaders translate their appreciation for military service into concrete action. By providing not just financial support but the use of their land, facilities, and time, community partners create the conditions for meaningful experiences that benefit military families in lasting ways. This kind of engaged philanthropy goes well beyond writing a check and reflects a personal investment in the wellbeing of military communities.

The Oklahoma National Guard's public affairs operations play a crucial role in connecting community supporters with military families and ensuring that events and programs are well organized and well attended. The Guard's partnership with organizations like Southmoore and Carl Albert school districts for suicide prevention initiatives, and with Patriot Ford for the surprise homecoming of First Sgt. Brian Curtis, demonstrates how the Guard actively cultivates and coordinates community support rather than simply waiting for it to materialize. This proactive approach maximizes the impact of community goodwill and ensures that military families receive the support they need.

Volunteers from agricultural and equestrian communities, like Hanna Triplett from Blanchard FFA who taught children at the grooming and tack station, and Timber Moore, a national rodeo qualifier who served as a roping instructor, bring authentic expertise and genuine enthusiasm to military family support events. Their willingness to share their skills and time with military children reflects the cross-community bonds that tie Oklahoma's diverse constituencies together. When a rodeo champion volunteers to teach roping to a soldier's child, it creates a connection that transcends any particular program or event and contributes to the fabric of a community that genuinely cares for its own.