Photo by Shelly Andersen
Familiar faces were spotted in unexpected places at the Will Rogers Memorial Center on June 24 for the 2026 Heroes on Horses preliminaries and finals, which took place at the APHA World Championship Show. State Director Lisa Laplace recruited fellow APHA leaders to assist her riding center’s exhibitors during the event, and they enthusiastically answered the call. From helping prepare horses, encouraging riders, and lending support and extra hands, the APHA members pitched in. Thereby, they also helped embody the APHA mission to “promote, preserve and provide meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.”
A Little Help From Friends
This wasn’t the first time Lisa leaned on the support of her APHA friends.
“I started helping with the show opportunity with Equines for the Frontlines about four years ago,” she said. “Each year, I have specifically reached out to local APHA state directors for assistance because I felt this was a perfect opportunity for APHA to have a meaningful presence while also supporting our veterans.”
Rick McLain, Ronny Stallings, Wesley and Lori Siebenneicher, Helena Ryan and Meredith Biasca helped with horse prep and lead veteran riders; Diane Paris, Renee Robinson and Kevin Smith offered support to riders along the rail; Lisa coached her riders, mentioning that watching her veterans compete was somehow more nerve-wracking than sending a first-time Youth rider into the pen.
“Our APHA state directors were phenomenal. There was such a meaningful exchange of knowledge, and many friendships were made,” Lisa said. “I chose these volunteers because I knew the riders and could match them with the right support team. That helped support each veteran’s ‘mission:’ to successfully get their horse shown. Mission accomplished: we entered three veteran riders, and all three made the finals and placed.
“My favorite part of the event was seeing people from very diverse backgrounds who might never have crossed paths come together to create positive memories with horses. My APHA helpers witnessed firsthand the power horses have to heal, even in the short three days we were all together. This was therapy for the veterans, but therapeutic for us! It was a wonderful reminder of why so many of us started in this world in the first place: horses.”
Giving Back
Helena didn’t hesitate at Lisa’s request to help the Equines for the Frontlines team, even though it meant an almost 4,500-mile journey from her home in Ireland to Fort Worth, Texas. She remembers the anxiety and fear her family faced when two uncles were deployed overseas with the Irish Army. Helping the Equines for the Frontlines veterans—Chad McRee, Donna Valdez and Warren McGraw—was especially meaningful.
“They gave so much to protect not only the U.S. but also the world,” Helena said. “Standing up for what is right is a global issue, and I am so grateful for all the women and men worldwide who take on that responsibility. We should be thankful for their sacrifices and assist them in any way possible.”
Helena often helps Lisa at Equines for the Frontlines when she visits Texas. The resilience found in the horse-human bond is impactful.
“I have seen firsthand how working with the horses has helped the veterans adjust to ‘normal’ life. It gives them a mission to complete and also provides them with their equine ‘battle buddies.’ They create a bond and face the very scary unknown prospect of the show arena, together. This show world in totally new and imposing to them, they are being showcased at the highest level at the World Show and they push ahead and come out smiling,” Helena said. “I truly feel that I learned more about humanity, kindness, resilience, determination and healing than I ever imagined.”
Wesley echoed Helena’s impressions.
My dad was in [World War II]; I heard a different side of being in the military than what the vets’ experience,” he said. “It brought me great joy to help them. You have to remember that all of the vets signed up for active duty but came back as different people. [Heroes on Horses] helped with their healing process, and volunteering for them helped my healing process.”
Mission Accomplished
Following a 30-exhibitor preliminary round, the top 16 returned to the Will Rogers Coliseum for the Heroes on Horses finals. The competition was part of the Honoring Freedom Night festivities that showcased the healing power of horses.
“I believe spectators should attend this event because it is a meaningful opportunity to show appreciation for those who have served, protected our freedoms and personally carried the cost of that service, along with their families,” Lisa said. “The World Show is the perfect place for this event because it allows us to honor these veterans at our highest level and help them feel the appreciation they deserve. Bottom line, if people like these had not committed to military service, our lives with horses might look very different.”
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.