Ezra's 8,000-mile expedition arrives at World Championship Show

Following a 2-year, 8,000-mile journey around the country on his
American Paint Horse, “Big Red,” Ezra Cooley makes his way to the
World Championship Paint Horse Show today.

Watch for Ezra, Big Red and their pack horse, “Stryker,” to ride onto
the grounds around Noon today. APHA will honor the Chico, Calif., native and his Solid Paint-Bred horse, Just A Gelding, with special humanitarian honors tonight in the John Justin Arena during the evening’s award presentations.

With Ezra in the saddle, the American Paint Horse has traveled the
width and breadth of the United States, from California to New York
and on to Texas. Along the way, Ezra, Big Red and Stryker have earned
congratulations from Vice President Dick Cheney in Washington, D.C.,
and even roped the Merrill Lynch Bull on Wall Street in downtown
Manhattan.

The trio has not only received accolades for their pioneering spirit
of adventurism, but also for raising over $10,000 for children’s
charities along the way, including the Children’s Miracle Network—a
non-profit fund-raising organization that benefits 170 children’s
hospitals throughout the United States.

Of all the recognition and honors they have received, the humanitarian
award from the American Paint Horse Association ranks among the
highest, Ezra said.

"For Big Red to get this recognition from the American Paint Horse
Association is really special. I’m proud that he’s getting this honor
after all he’s done and how far we’ve ridden."