Nov 28, 2011

Monday Session With Sgt. Erik Schei

What a fabulous session! Back to work after the Compadres Team renovated their arena - look at the mirrors! Now riders can see themselves and correct their posture while riding. Erik really enjoys being able to see himself riding Rio! After his session Erik was awarded achievement award presented to him by stellar instructor Georgia Smith. It takes both the Las Companas Compadres Team as well as our own Horses For Heroes - NM Cowboy Up! Team to make Erik's riding experience possible, we are so grateful for our partnership, thank you all!













Nov 21, 2011

Radio Cafe Interview with Mary-Charlotte

Santa Fe's Radio Cafe host Mary-Charlotte invited us onto her show and we had quite a good talk, listen for yourself!


Click here to Listen to Radio Cafe Interview


Tim Hale Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, Rick Iannucci and Nancy De Santis Founders and directors of Horses For Heroes New Mexico, Inc. and the Cowboy Up Program.



Nov 20, 2011

Our First Air Force participant and Stella's Graduation

November 16th

Our first Airman arrived this fall via the UNM Veterans Group. Matt Moody is seen here working just as hard on his horsemanship as he is on his MBA. Matt is a welcome addition to our Cowboy Up! program.
Seen below riding with fellow veteran Chris Chaisson and then sharing a relaxing cup of coffee with Sgt. Brandi.






November 18th

On the evening of the 18th Rick and I went down to see our very own Kristy LaFrance and Stella graduate from the Paws & Stripes program along with Army's Wounded Warrior Advocate Christin Barden - well done ladies! It is amazing to see Stella all grown up and taking care of her momma!







Nov 12, 2011

Veteran's Day ~ November 11th, 2011

Yesterday we woke up to a beautiful morning then straight down to Albuquerque to meet some of UNM's veteran student population in honor of Veteran's Day. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your service to our Country.

We a chance to visit with new friends and old friends - it was nice meeting you all and we look forward to working with you!

A special visit from Cowboy Up! participant Kristy LaFrance and her service dog Stella... Stella, you are all grown up! Your work with "Paws and Stripes" has paid off and we look forward to your graduation next week!!!

Sunrise

Our display

Former Navy Corpsman Joseph Boyd, Student Veterans of UNM President with US Marine battle buddy and fellow UNM student Paul Duran explaining to Horses For Heroes - NM, Inc. President, Rick Iannucci, how they how they chewed the same sand together serving with the US Marines 1/5 in Iraq.

Kristy LaFrance and Stella.

Stella in her new duds!

Chuckwagon Cowbelles November Luncheon

November 8th, 2011

We were honored to be the guest speakers for the Chuckwagon Cowbelles November meeting. A lively interactive discussion of how our Cowboy Up! program is restructuring the skill-sets of combat wounded/PTSD veterans using horsemanship, cattle and ranch activities.

A homemade potluck lunch followed our talk and we were privileged to be part of the remainder of their meeting. We are humbled by their pledge of support and the endorsement of these fine women ranchers. Thank you ladies!


Babbi Baker's ranch in Estancia.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the Cowbelle creed the ladies got straight to matters at hand.

Laughs, and more laughs...!

Till next time ladies, thank you!

American Gold Star Mothers Dinner

November 7th, 2011

The American Gold Star Mothers is a national organization consisting of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country. Our hearts go out to all the mothers and fathers, we are sorry for your loss and please know that these Heroes will never be forgotten.

Horses for Heroes - NM, Inc. President Rick Iannucci was the keynote speaker. He pledged that all of New Mexico American Gold Star Mothers who would like their Warrior's remembered will be placed on a wall plaque beneath a Gold Star in our future bunkhouse/team-room.

No words can express our gratitude for all the hard work that went into putting together such a lovely dinner for our organization. Thank you all for your generosity and kind hearts! And thank you to all who attended the dinner for our benefit.

Hard at work! Barb McCormick & Shelia Dotson

El Pinto Garden Room

Silent Auction

Live Auction

Entertainment provided by "Sons of the Rio Grand". Please visit their website at: www.sonsoftheriogrande.com

Good Conversation

American Gold Star Mothers of Albuquerque, NM: Left to right
Mary Cowan. Son: Army CW3 Aaron William Cowan DOD 2/26/05
Jo Ann Zembiec. Son: Marine Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec, DOD 5/11/07
Becky Christmas. Son: Army Capt. Todd T. Christmas, DOD 11/29/04
Kay Coleman. Son: Marine Sgt. Stephen M Carpenter DOD 7/31/06
Pat Merville. Son: Army Spec Christopher A. Merville, DOD 10/12/04
Michelle Bowman. S.son was Army Spc. Brian Bowman, DOD 1/3/10 (Medic)
Ladies, our hearts are with you ~ God Bless.

Helping MC, Brad Christmas, with the live auction is our own SGT. C. Tidwell (US Army, Ret.) and MSGT. Joe Snyder (USAF).

Nov 4, 2011

Native American Symposium

Spoke to some wonderful people at the Native American Symposium, thanks for stopping by.

A big thank you to Cowboy Up! staff member, Avery Strickland for helping us Meet an' Greet ~ your help is always appreciated!!!

As always it is wonderful to see Cabinet Secretary of NM Veteran's Affairs, Tim Hale ~ great speech Tim & it's always so nice to visit with AJ Calabaza, Veteran's Coordinator of Santa Domingo.