Guns N Gold

(1995 – )
Owned by Oklahoma State University Athletics
Inducted: 2020

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Guns N Gold, also known as Cash, is an AQHA Palomino gelding and "equine partner" at Turning Point Ranch (TPR) in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cash has provided progressive riding skills for children with physical, emotional, behavioral and socio-economic challenges for five years. In his time at TPR, he has given close to one thousand lessons to dozens of individuals. TPR offers therapeutic riding, "HorseTales" literacy, Mobile Mini Programs, and works with at-risk youth. Cash allows his riders complete freedom of movement, complete independence and total confidence in their abilities.

Prior to his career at Turning Point Ranch, Cash was part of the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Equestrian Team where he took on NCAA competition. The OSU Equestrian Team Head Coach, Larry Sanchez, shared, "[Cash] is one of those special horses that just knows when he has a young kid aboard or handling him. That is why he is such a special therapy horse. Cash is a once in a lifetime horse."

When Cash arrived at Turning Point Ranch at the age of 20, he already had a full career and needed very little training. Cash has a steady, patient mind that is unflappable yet curious, and he's a natural at taking care of his riders. He is the first to greet you in the pasture and is always ready to spend time with people. Cash is a highly emotionally intelligent horse. He is able to pick up on the emotions of the people around him in an instant and offers what is needed in the moment. He helps build confidence and provides unconditional love to all the individuals that he has worked with. Combined with his curiosity and competitive spirit, Cash is the perfect therapy horse.

During his career at Turning Point Ranch, Cash also competed in the Oklahoma Special Olympics Equestrian Games for two years, bringing home gold and silver medals with his competitors.

Cash is not only a leader to his riders, but also to his herd at TPR. In May 2019, TPR was hit by a flash flood that called for emergency evacuation. Answering the call of an instructor and a former herd manager, Cash led his herd of eight through an embankment that they had to swim through. He was calm and led his herd to safety without hesitation. After Cash and his herd recovered from injuries they endured from the flood, Cash did not miss a step when lessons began again in September. He has never faltered in his leadership of his herd.

After a lifetime of serious competition and success with high caliber athletes, Cash has found a home at TPR where he can still be active, compete and make a difference in the lives of everyone he works with. Cash offers freedom, hope and success in a world where those things can be very hard to find. Cash is a natural and loving leader, and he is more than worthy of being honored as a 2019 EQUUS Foundation Inductee.