Press Release: ACTHA Partners with Horses4Heroes

By Robin Tighlman, ACTHA Director of Special Projects
Horses4Heroes (H4H), based in Las Vegas Nevada has chosen the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) to work with their host centers in 44 states plus Canada and assist them in putting on ACTHA events to help raise funds for their efforts and cause.

"First the Unwanted Horse Coalition and their 900+ registered rescues and now this," states Robin Tilghman, Director of Special Projects. "It's just amazing to see organizations that are using the power of horses to make the lives a little brighter for those in our communities who need a leg up! We embrace their causes as ours and we will have a great time doing what we do best ... putting on enjoyable non threatening rides with the spice of casual competition for those who want to test themselves and their horse."

H4H is a multi-faceted charity that supports military personnel and their families in as many ways as it can. All through the instrument of the horse. While a spouse is abroad their family is nurtured by caring horse owners who are proud to share their love of horses. When the spouse returns, the family has a safe place to get reconnected and reacquainted and share some quality family bonding time.

According to Horses4Heroes president and executive director Sydney Knott, "Horses4Heroes was the brain child of my 16-year-old daughter, who was looking for a community service project involving horses. She felt the men and women in the Armed Forces and First Responders should be able to ride horses, as a 'thank you' for their service and sacrifice. To date, we've served over 5,000 families and more arrive every day. We're doing great, thanks to the support of large national equestrian organizations, but we are short on riding facilities near Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, El Paso, Tucson, Jacksonville, San Diego, Virginia Beach and Cheyenne. To have a organization like ACTHA come in and devote their resources to help us is the answer to our prayers."

"How could we say no to our service members and their families," added Carrie Scrima, ACTHA Founder. "What a great organization! Their grass roots growth rivals ACTHAs, and that's really saying something!"

Together, Horses4Heroes and ACTHA plan to teach as many host centers as possible to hold an ACTHA Competitive Trail Challenge or, if finding trail is difficult, an ACTHA Obstacle Challenge, which can be held in an arena, field, indoors or outdoors.

"The second phase is very exciting," said ACTHA General Manager Tom Scrima. "All of us in the industry guard our data bases like Fort Knox. But when you have a chance to do some real good with them it's time to open the vault. H4H needs more sites. The good thing is they can pin point exactly where they need them. ACTHA members are among the most generous people on earth. We can pin point those areas and send a simple request to see anyone can help. Boy would we have loved to have this assist when growing ACTHA! But it's great to help someone else like Horses4Heroes!

About Horses4Heroes, Inc.
Based in Las Vegas, Horses4Heroes,Inc. is a non-profit organization that is using horses as teaching, therapy and motivational partners to engage, inspire, and empower military families and individuals served. Through its national network of kid-friendly, family friendly facilities, the organization offers affordable able-bodied and therapeutic equestrian programs that emphasize fun and safe activities with horses, mounted and un-mounted for all ages. Participants learn valuable leadership and teamwork skills, make new friends, and develop a lifelong love of horses!