TAMUC Students Honored in Heroes on Horses Parade in Fort Worth

Two Texas A&M University-Commerce students participated in the inaugural Heroes on Horses Parade & Western Pleasure class during the American Paint Horse Association World Show in Fort Worth on July 4, 2024. Students Timothy Smith and Florence Combs placed 7th and 8th, respectively, out of 18 participants in the event.

Florence Combs competes in Heroes on Horses. Photo courtesy of American Paint Horse Association.

Through a partnership between the National Snaffle Bit Association and the American Paint Horse Association, the event honors disabled veterans, active military personnel, and retired veterans, enabling them to compete and be recognized within the horse show community.

Several volunteers came together to make the event happen, including A&M-Commerce alum Shelby Williams, who coaches riders before and during the competition. She also helped Combs and Smith get involved with the event. Other volunteers include Stable Strides Farms and founder Mandy Cleveland, who provided horses for the event.

Timothy Smith competes in Heroes on Horses. Photo courtesy of American Paint Horse Association.

Combs and Smith both served in the U.S. Army and are now retired. Combs is a staff sergeant, while Smith is a lieutenant colonel. Both students are pursuing equine studies at A&M-Commerce.

Read the event press release.