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#SharetheSaddlebred Spotlight: ASAW Summerfun Horse Show celebrates the American Veteran

CH  Heirilee with Natalie Luce riding, Amy Weiler leading

Earlier this month a very special evening session was held at the ASAW Summerfun Horse Show. Friday night was the evening of the “American Saddlebred salutes American Veteran” at ASAW Summerfun Horse Show. The proximity of The ASAW Summerfun Hore Show is held near a local Veteran's hospital and scheduled near Independence Day. ASAW members saw this as a perfect opportunity to bring together American heroes and "The Horse America Made." The ASHA is proud of our membership and thrilled that this idea was sparked by the ASHA "Fill the Stands Playbook"! 

The evening started with a short history of the American Saddlebreds and their part in the American history during the Civil War. Highlighting how the breed has been developing along side the United States since colonization and a trusted partner of American servicemen and people since their beginning. 

Max's Prince with Rob  Luce riding (husband of Natalie) with daughter Mae Luce leading.

Lifestriders, a leader in nature based, integrative therapies in SE Wisconsin provided a presentation of their Heros Program, where their staff and volunteers work with military veterans and their families so they can begin to process trauma and develop coping strategies.  The demonstration was followed by eleven veterans being introduced individually.  Each Veterans wore T-shirts ASAW provided with “American Saddlebreds Salutes America Veterans”.  Introductions included which branch of the military they served, along with what wars they served in or what military branches they were assigned to.  We even had an F-16 pilot and instructor participate in our Parade of Veterans, our own top gun!.  The veterans came in on horses, golf carts and even a jog cart.  After each was introduced, Vicky Holston ASAW President, and Shelagh Roell, Past President, presented each veteran with a medal and thanked them for their service.  Vicky Holston said “I shook one Vietnam Veteran’s hand, and with tears in his eyes, he said I didn’t get this welcome when I came home”.  It was a very emotional evening.  Veterans that participated were Ken Berget, Alvin Burgemeiester, William Bennet Dean, Quentin Hatfield, Phil Hway, Natalie Luce, Rob Luce, Donald Runnells, Steve Schultz, Andrew Senkerik and Red Otterson.

Kalarama's High Point with Ken Berget riding, Haley Berget (Equitation Triple Crown Winner) leading

To top the celebration off, two veterans received Quilts of Valor.  The crowd cheered as they entered the ring in a golf cart decorated to the hilt in red, white and blue.  Shannon Sullivan, an Iraqi Veteran and brother of Keen Behringer received his Quilt from his sister Keen.  George Robertson, a longtime Ring Master in the Midwest and a special friend too many was a WW II Veteran.   His quilt was presented by Vicky Holston, his daughter Cindy Price, and his great grandson, Owen Pollak.  George is a Purple Heart and Gold Star recipient.

The evening closed with cake, cake pops and cookies decorated in red, white and blue for the Veterans and their families to enjoy.  It was an evening filled with love and appreciation of our American Veteran.