To prepare for the show, students learned about the role the American Quarter Horse played in the history of the United States. Each student then created artwork that depicted those lessons, along with an essay describing the art.

Wrapping up its most successful year yet, Horses4Heroes will be giving free horseback rides to local service members, veterans, survivors and their families in the Cowboy Christmas Fan Fest Arena, Saturday, Dec. 14, 1 pm to 2:30, during Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Presented by The Collection, a niche clothing company serving hunter seat riders of all disciplines and all breeds, the $1,000 Collection Hunter Classic and the $1,000 Collection Non-Pro Hunter Classic will be held under the lights on December 30, 2013. The two $1,000 classes will showcase the talent of the country’s top Quarter Horse hunters over a traditional hunter course.

“We wanted to reward the trainer who had the most well-rounded program in the hunters, equitation and jumpers,” Kenney said. “We developed a cumulative point system. Each rider had a certain number of points through their placings at a minimum number of shows.”