Trotting her horse around the ring while donning last year’s winner’s belt buckle, Jasmin Moore smiled in her saddle as she competed in this year’s Chisholm Challenge.
The 33-year-old Sanger resident was born without a right hand and has severe anxiety, autism, depression, OCD and PTSD. Riding horses and competing each year has become her therapy and outlet.
Chisholm Challenge took place Jan. 12-14 as the unofficial kickoff to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The 22-year-old competition brings together disabled and veteran equestrians to compete in various challenges, including showmanship, trail course and ranch riding.
Jasmin Moore and AP compete in the Western Equitation at the Chisholm Challenge in Fort Worth on Jan. 13. Moore was judged based on her ability to communicate with AP, doing various transitions and movements. Moore took third place this year. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Moore had never been on a horse, let alone considered equestrian therapy to cope with her disabilities until a neighbor invited her to Born 2 Be, a therapeutic riding and carriage-driving program for individuals with physical, educational, intellectual and emotional disabilities. Born 2 Be is one of 16 therapeutic horseback riding organizations to compete in this year’s Chisholm Challenge.
“People with disabilities get out shown by other people, but (Chisholm Challenge) puts us on a pedestal,” Moore said.
Moore’s father, Michael Moore, said her mental health issues worsened in middle school. Since then, her family has tried psychiatrists, psychologists, medication and counseling to help her cope but had little success. Then, they found equestrian therapy.
“This has single-handedly helped her out more than anything, ever,” her father said.
Jasmin Moore, pictured Jan. 13, shows the belt buckle she was awarded in 2025 at the Chisholm Challenge in Fort Worth. Moore was born without a right hand due to congenital amputation associated with amniotic band constriction. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
As he pulled up a photo, Moore’s father said his fondest memory of the competition is seeing her smile after winning her first ribbon in the Chisholm Challenge a few years ago. From the mental state she was in before riding, he didn’t think he’d see that happiness from her again.
Her father recalled after last year’s competition, Moore told him she was sad. Though she knew she’d participate again this year, she didn’t want to leave and didn’t want the competition to end.
“She enjoys anything and everything about it,” Moore’s father said. “It’s a blessing.”
This year marked her sixth year competing in Chisholm Challenge. Her favorite competitions are trail — riding your horse through an obstacle course — and ranch riding, which reflects the skills of a work horse while performing specific maneuvers.
Most horses in the therapeutic riding programs are retired, older and easy to ride. Moore’s horse AP is provided by and cared for courtesy of Born 2 Be.
Jasmin Moore’s 2026 Chisholm Challenge awards:
1st place in B Level Independent Showmanship
1st place in Ranch Riding
1st place in 2026 Chisholm Challenge Art Contest
After three years of competition and training every Friday, the rider and steed have bonded. Moore joked that his name could stand for a brand of beer or “absolute perfection.”
“I’m bonded with him, and we work really well together,” Moore said smiling at AP in his stall.
Another of Moore’s loves is also spotlighted during Chisholm Challenge’s annual art contest.
This year, she won first place for her entry titled “Close Bond.” The vibrant water color painting depicts a cartoon of a girl and a horse, visualizing her bond with AP. In her description of her art piece, Moore wrote, “The trust I’ve gained through overcoming challenges with my horse, AP, has made such a huge impact on my life, and has shown me that I’m far more capable than I have ever thought.”
Jasmin Moore won first place in the art contest at the Chisholm Challenge in Fort Worth on Jan. 15. Moore has now won the contest four times. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
She has used art to express herself — and even to earn an income — for longer than she’s been riding. Now, she combines her passions when she draws horses for the Chisholm Challenge Art Contest each year.
Debbie Head, Chisholm Challenge and Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo board director, met Moore the first time she competed, when she also entered — and won — the art contest. Head is the judge and, as a photographer, she bonded with Moore over art.
After six years of watching Moore compete and “come out of her shell,” Head has seen Moore’s life change through this program.
“She has turned over a new leaf and gained so much self- confidence,” Head said.
For equestrians with disabilities like Moore, from 6-six to 80-years-old, the challenges and therapeutic horseback riding change lives, she said.
The three-day competition for disabled equestrians was not initially connected to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Head said. The organizations would have had to pay to participate and bring all their own equipment.
Jasmin Moore and AP compete in the Western Equitation at the Chisholm Challenge in Fort Worth on Jan. 13. Moore was judged based on her ability to communicate with AP, doing various transitions and movements. Moore took third place this year. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Chisholm Challenge and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo merged in 2004, increasing awareness about and resources for the competition. The stock show now provides the stalls, arena, hay shavings and any other necessary donations including horses and saddles. The competition is open for all ages and free for the organizations and equestrians that participate, Head said.
“As long as they hold (the Chisholm Challenge), I’m going to try to participate, because it makes me feel special and important,” Moore said.
Tracy McCarty, AP, and Jasmin Moore walk toward the arena during the Chisholm Challenge in Fort Worth on Jan. 13. McCarty is the coach for Born 2 Be, a therapeutic riding and carriage driving program. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Ella Scott-Dean is the audience and membership manager for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at ella@fortworthreport.org.
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