{"id":523769,"date":"2026-01-17T22:42:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T22:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/523769\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T22:42:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T22:42:18","slug":"its-a-blessing-disabled-equestrians-compete-ahead-of-fort-worth-stock-show-rodeo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/523769\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018It\u2019s a blessing\u2019: Disabled equestrians compete ahead of Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Ella Scott-Dean, Fort Worth Report
January 17, 2026<\/p>\n

Trotting her horse around the ring while donning last year\u2019s winner\u2019s belt buckle, Jasmin Moore smiled in her saddle as she competed in this year\u2019s Chisholm Challenge.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Chisholm Challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople with disabilities get out shown by other people, but (Chisholm Challenge) puts us on a pedestal,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n

Moore\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has single-handedly helped her out more than anything, ever,\u201d her father said.<\/p>\n

\"\"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)<\/p>\n

As he pulled up a photo, Moore\u2019s 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\u2019t think he\u2019d see that happiness from her again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her father recalled after last year\u2019s competition, Moore told him she was sad. Though she knew she\u2019d participate again this year, she didn\u2019t want to leave and didn\u2019t want the competition to end.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe enjoys anything and everything about it,\u201d Moore\u2019s father said. \u201cIt\u2019s a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year marked her sixth year competing in Chisholm Challenge. Her favorite competitions are trail \u2014 riding your horse through an obstacle course \u2014 and ranch riding, which reflects the skills of a work horse while performing specific maneuvers.<\/p>\n

Most horses in the therapeutic riding programs are retired, older and easy to ride. Moore\u2019s horse AP is provided by and cared for courtesy of Born 2 Be.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jasmin Moore\u2019s 2026 Chisholm Challenge awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1st place in B Level Independent Showmanship<\/p>\n

1st place in Ranch Riding<\/p>\n

1st place in 2026 Chisholm Challenge Art Contest<\/p>\n

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 \u201cabsolute perfection.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m bonded with him, and we work really well together,\u201d Moore said smiling at AP in his stall.<\/p>\n

Another of Moore\u2019s loves is also spotlighted during Chisholm Challenge\u2019s annual art contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This year, she won first place for her entry titled \u201cClose Bond.\u201d 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, \u201cThe trust I\u2019ve gained through overcoming challenges with my horse, AP, has made such a huge impact on my life, and has shown me that I\u2019m far more capable than I have ever thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"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)<\/p>\n

She has used art to express herself \u2014 and even to earn an income \u2014 for longer than she\u2019s been riding. Now, she combines her passions when she draws horses for the Chisholm Challenge Art Contest each year.<\/p>\n

Debbie Head, Chisholm Challenge and Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo board director, met Moore the first time she competed, when she also entered \u2014 and won \u2014 the art contest. Head is the judge and, as a photographer, she bonded with Moore over art.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After six years of watching Moore compete and \u201ccome out of her shell,\u201d Head has seen Moore\u2019s life change through this program.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has turned over a new leaf and gained so much self- confidence,\u201d Head said.<\/p>\n

For equestrians with disabilities like Moore, from 6-six to 80-years-old, the challenges and therapeutic horseback riding change lives, she said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"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)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as they hold (the Chisholm Challenge), I\u2019m going to try to participate, because it makes me feel special and important,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n

\"\"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)<\/p>\n

Ella Scott-Dean is the audience and membership manager for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at ella@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This <a target=”_blank” href=”https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/01\/17\/its-a-blessing-disabled-equestrians-compete-ahead-of-fort-worth-stock-show-rodeo\/”>article<\/a> first appeared on <a target=”_blank” href=”https:\/\/fortworthreport.org”>Fort Worth Report<\/a> and is republished here under a <a target=”_blank” href=”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/”>Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License<\/a>.<img src=”https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/cropped-favicon.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1″ style=”width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;”><\/p>\n

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