HORSES FOR HEROES New Mexico - Cowboy Up! 505-798-2535

Jul 10, 2013

Hay Day

July 9th, 2013 was Hay Day!

Thanks to our friends at San Juan College for getting it here!

Keith ~you are the MAN!

After moving hay it was time for lunch!

The crew ~ thank you to all you guys!

Later that day, The Cowboy Libertarian Patrick Dorinson Arrived with

our truck from Elk Grove Dodge.

It's always time to rope!

The Cowboy Libertarian Patrick Dorinson and HFHNM, Inc. Executive Director Rick Iannucci outside the Cowboy Up! office.

Patrick contemplates his next book while enjoying a seat on the porch...

July 10th, 2013

The morning brings another beautiful day at the ranch!

Patrick Dorinson looks on as Eric takes one of our newest Cowboy Up! participants throught some training.

We always start from the ground up ~ a great beginning to partnership.

Eric works with Knight in the round pen illustrating how to use body language and energy to move a horse just like they do within their own herd. This is another step to developing a true partnership with these magnificent ones.

Andrew takes over moving his horse through all gaits, how to stop him, turn him, speed him up and slow him down all without verbal commands.

The unltimate ~ joining up.

Andrew has illustrated his position as a good leader and Knight accepts a partnership.

Preparing for the first ride...

Up and riding!

Riding not only exercises the body, it stimulates the mind!

Cowboy Up! Director Nancy De Santis, Cowboy Up! participant Andrew, with Cowboy Up! Instructor Eric Yorty.

Eric explaining ranch etiquette ~ always face and wait for the gate keeper.

Unbridling ~ Job well done! Time for a well deserved break...

...and lunch!

After a day of observing Patrick just had to get in the saddle ~

Looking good!

The Cowboy Libertarian Patrick Dorinson, Andrew, HFHNM, Inc. Executive Director Rick Iannucci and Eric.

Fantastic!!!

Jun 25, 2013

SFC Leroy Petry

June 23rd, 2013

It was good to see Leroy and his family again, such down to earth folks, it's an honor to know them. SFC Leroy Petry made a special visit out to the ranch kicking off the opening of our warrior bunkhouse ~ it was a beautiful clear day despite the NM fires, good food and friends were in abundance on Sunday afternoon. While Jasper McCoy played cowboy songs from his CD up on the porch, we all enjoyed a BBQ with smoked brisket and peach cobbler with ice cream cooked by our very own Cowboy Up! staff, mentor and friend Carl Hawkins and his wife Jo! It just doesn't get any better than this! We are blessed.

Some of the photos of the day...

SFC Dana Bowman (Special Forces) the first soldier to come back on active duty as a double amputee and return to Special Forces and the Golden Knights Army Parachute Team, Master Chief Jim Woods (a former Navy SEAL and the tandem parachute master jumper that jumped Pres George Bush on his birthday some years back, and Special Forces Sgt. John Hart all were the first to stay at our newly opened warrior bunkhouse!

Dana Bowman and Rick Iannucci discussing the next days parachute jump.

Leroy Petry being introduced by Rick Iannucci

to our program partners Mr. & Mrs. Henry McKinley.

Leroy Petry saying hi to Cowboy Up! instructor Chris Chaisson.

Dana Bowman and Jim Woods lead the tour of Crossed Arrows Ranch.

Leroy Petry with family and friends touring the Crossed Arrows Ranch.

Pueblo of Pojoaque Governor George Rivera talking

with Cowboy Up! Director Nancy De Santis

Carl & Jo Hawkins of Hawkins Chuckwagon fame.

Leroy Petry and Cowboy Up! instructor Alroy Biliman.

June 24th, 2013

What a way to make an entrance! SFC Leroy Petry jumped into Santa Fe yesterday before the unveiling of his larger than life statue created by Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. George Rivera.

The jump was oraganized by Horses For Heroes - NM, Inc. Executive Director Rick Iannucci along with SFC Dana Bowman, Halo Warrior Foundation. Jumping in ahead of Leroy was US Army Special Forces Sgt. John Hart who filmed the jump from aircraft to ground. Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jim Woods and tandem parachute master saftely and smoothly jumped in SFC Leroy Petry second, and followed by Special Forces Sgt. First Class Dana Bowman who made a special entrance creating circular streams of white smoke as he parachuted in flying a 1500 square foot banner of the US flag trailing behind.

Below are photos of the day from getting ready for the jump at dawn to setting up the drop zone to a smooth tandem jump and landing into Ft. Marcy Park in downtown Santa Fe, NM.