JACKSON, MS. – May 3, 2018 – Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association hosted 16 wounded veterans from all over the country to Jackson Mississippi, and introduced them to horsemanship skills, roping and sorting in a very short 3 day period of time. It’s part of the Semper Fi Jinx McCain Horsemanship program and is dubbed “Dixie Challenge.”
Brooks Derryberry, 1st Vice President MS Quarter Horse Association and coordinator of this event says, “We are a family, a community of like mind people who believe in and support our veterans. The Dixie Challenge is supported by the generosity of many many people in the Jackson area. And I believe is the only Jinx McCain Horsemanship event that is completely community based and run on community donations. The only thing Semper Fi pays for here is travel and lodging. Thank you all for making this happen for the 4th year.
Emmy-Lu Marsh, a member of Mississippi Quarter Horse Youth Association and volunteer recounts her experience as, “I feel like the Dixie Challenge was life changing. It felt great to honor these men and women who have sacrificed so much for us and our country. It’s amazing how horses can bring so many people together and they can make people so happy. It was incredible to watch the riders improve their skills over a short amount of time, and it was incredible to see their horses bring so much joy to each and every one of them.”
An adult volunteer and member of the Mississippi Quarter Horse Association, Anne Beatty said, “I love spending time with the true patriots, those that unselfishly served our country. These are some of the most amazing people to be around and learn from!”
The highlight of the event was the final day which is a competition. The veterans demonstrate their horsemanship skills by working a pattern. Next 
comes the roping competition in which the veterans rope a moving target. The final, and according to the participants, the most fun is the sorting event in which each participant must cut and move cattle from one pen to another following a specific order.
Considering some of the veterans have never been around a horse, this competition is a testament to their ability to adjust to their surroundings and persevere. These veterans are amazing people, so dedicated, so intense, so willing to try and so very thankful for the opportunity.
For more information contact Brooks Derryberry at [email protected] Or SemperFi Fund Jinx McCain Horsemanship Program
Photo Credits – an Alumni of the Dixie Challenge 2016, Charles Raymond Caswell, Charles Caswell Photography, dogtagimaging.com
