Real-Life Action Heroes Ride for Kids

By Darren Brown, News9.com Insite team

OKLAHOMA CITY -- You'd think that riding a bull or a bronc would qualify you to ride nearly anything with legs.  Some professional cowboys will put that theory to the test this weekend, with a lttle help from some newfound friends. 

The 4R Performance Horse Celebrity Slide will test the riders' skills on some of the country's best-trained reining horses.

But the cowboys won't be alone.  They'll have honorary coaches from the Make-A-Wish  Foundation of Oklahoma, who grants wishes to children with life-threatening diseases.

Seven-year-old Jordan Hasley of Piedmont is one of those kids.  She was diagnosed with leukemia just two years ago, and endures weekly chemotherapy sessions.

Not long ago, the chemo caused her hair to fall out, but it's back now.  However, Jordan took it in stride.  "I wore a bunch of hats," she said. 

Jordan will be coaching Billy Etbauer, a professional saddle bronc rider.  And even though Etbauer's been riding for more than 20 years, this will be his first time in a reining horse competition.

"Gettin' on broncs doesn't really make me nervous, but goin' in a pen, like, to rope, or do the reining deal-- that would make me nervous," Etbauer said.

And now Jordan can add a cowboy, er, cowgirl, hat to her collection.

The 4R Performance Horse Celebrity Slide is Saturday Nov. 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Oklahoma State Fair Arena.  General admission tickets are $8 and VIP reception tickets for the reception afterwards are $100.  For more information on the event, visit nrha.com.