Winning Hearts as AQHA-PATH Intl. Horse of the Year

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to experience that “one-in-million” horse in your lifetime. Cheerioak is that special horse to so many people. Cheerioak, also known as “Hank,” was selected to receive the inaugural AQHA-PATH Intl. Equine-Assisted Services Horse of the Year Award for his service to therapeutic-riding programs. The AQHA-PATH Intl. Equine-Assisted Services Horse of the Year Award endows the winner with $10,000, a banner and trophy, and recognition at the AQHA Convention.   

Hank is a 1992 American Quarter Horse gelding  by Doc’s Oak and is out of River Bars Mist by McLeo Bars. Hank began life as a cutting horse and has been used for equine-assisted services since he was 10, including work with the Special Olympics and for the Wounded Warrior Project at Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, which has two centers in Illinois.

Here’s Hank's story, as told by his owner, Meggan Hill McQueeny:

It is as if Hank’s soul knows exactly what each person and horse needs. His eyes soften, his ears are quietly forward and attentive while his nose drops to the wheelchair selflessly whispering, “It’s good to meet you.”

In 2022, at 30 years of age, Hank gave 380 hours of support to our community through lessons, trainings and special events. In 2022, our organization served 1,478 individuals, many of whom Hank carried. He has continued to serve in 2023 as one of our most trusted and reliable horses. Over the past 25 years as a therapy horse, Hank has helped thousands of children, adults and veterans on every level throughout his endless hours of service as a therapy horse.

What makes Hank so unique is his versatility, being exceptional in every program. He has always been the horse you know you can rely on in every single situation. Whether it’s a child who needs Hank to patiently wait for her to mount as she is lifted from her wheelchair and slowly placed on his back, or a veteran who has never ridden without assistance and requires a horse to instill confidence in him as he rides independently for the first time. There have been thousands of individuals who credit Hank for teaching them how to trust, for igniting their interest in horsemanship, for giving them confidence and for leading them toward a passion for horses. He is the perfect citizen, with manners, soft eyes willing to accept anyone, happy ears wanting to help everyone he meets, and the ability to be both brave and kind in every situation.

Hank has served in every program successfully. Even though we call him “Hank” his  registered name Cheerioak. His sire, Doc’s Oak, is in the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. Hank has been a much-needed horse in hippotherapy to help individuals in speech and physical and occupational therapy. Hank is a favorite for equine-assisted psychotherapy. Any mental health therapist will tell you that Hank connects with clients like no other. He helps in person and even cooperated for Zoom sessions for mental health services during COVID. Hank has been a huge part of our therapeutic riding program. Competing at horse shows and Special Olympics in every class and in every division, he has helped many athletes bring home numerous medals, most often gold. Hank has even helped a U. S. athlete prepare for the Special Olympic World Games. Hank has supported veteran programs helping vets successfully experience their first trot, lope or even their first time working a cow. Hank also jumps and knows dressage movements, having competed in these, as well. Hank has helped numerous veterans to become PATH Intl.-certified instructors, helping them pass their riding test components.

Hank has even helped veterans in wheelchairs pony a wild mustang off him.

Hank is a steadfast, calming presence who has served as a role model for wild mustangs in training. Hank has helped to rope and halter break an 18-year-old mustang, ponying the mustang off him for the mustang’s first time. Hank settles new horses in the herd. He is the first one to go on road trips to VA hospitals or motorcycle events. He is completely unflappable. Hank meets patients in their hospital beds. Hank carried numerous Multiple Sclerosis patients struggling with no balance for a new program. Every Veterans Day, he leads the Freedom Trail Ride and every fundraiser he is the one to have a flag shaved into his hair coat or to be painted head to toe by tiny children. Hank has frequently performed in drill team and often wags his tail as he trots to the music with pride. He is simply so kind and versatile in every single situation. Hank has walked through buildings to meet people and been to many ribbon cuttings. Hank has been the Make-a-Wish horse for children.

Hank was the reason Trail to Zero was possible. This is a 20-mile ride through major cities where Hank was the lead horse for the first 18 rides. Hank has carried celebrities and even U. S. vice presidents. He is the most trustworthy horse there has ever been. He has presented at PATH Intl. conferences as the demo horse, and been under all the greats to use for their demos from Martin Black, Paul Hansma, BarbSchulte, Monty Roberts, Shannon Hall, Clint Anderson and more. Every skilled horseman recognizes the versatility in Hank from the intensity to teaching cutting to the slow and steady pace needed to instill mindfulness, Hank’s ability to increase intensity or scale it way back has always impressed the horsemen around him.

Hank excels in the round pen in foundation horsemanship. He loves to join up with people in walkers or wheelchairs and will even follow groups of school children. Hank knows his name and comes when called. Hank has brought much happiness and laughter to many lives, but he has also risen to great responsibility in some very weighty times. It was Hank who was selected to be the riderless horse at the funeral service for the founder of the program he calls home. As the casket moved toward him, he raised his neck, pricked his ears and stood perfectly square at salute with a veteran holding him. On that day, as Hank stood between two Marines, there was a sadness in his eye, as if he somehow knew the impact of the heavy call of duty. It was Hank who was brought many times to greet individuals in hospice, giving them support and light toward the end of their lives.

Hank gets along with every horse and is often called in to help a horse settle and gain confidence, even in times of loss. It was Hank who was asked to support a geriatric therapy horse, “Dan,” as his new herd mate, after Dan’s herd mate of 30 years had passed. It was Hank who brought first smiles in months to inpatient veterans receiving rehab during COVID-19 at a local VA hospital where they were able to see him outside their window as they communicated using an iPad. Hank has helped train volunteers as they learn how to be consistent for our herd and train veterans as they grow in their horsemanship during our many training courses made possible by the American Quarter Horse Foundation. It is because of Hank that our organization has been able to innovate so many exciting opportunities for our organization and industry because of his constant and consistent nature.

To this day, Hank remains the most honest, willing, confident, trustworthy and noble companion we have ever partnered with at our center. Hank is a true professional who takes immense pride in his work. He is honorable in every sense of the word. From our founder’s funeral service to stepping in to help Dan when he lost his herd mate, to all of the firsts he has taught people: first trots, first lopes, first time over fences, first time working a cow, first gold medal and being first on every Trail to Zero ride, Hank is one exceptional horse. As the years pass, his age has become more evident with his graying face, his slowing pace and his increase in health concerns. We know time is fleeting, but we cherish each ride, each whinny and each moment his kind eyes soften to meet ours.