On July 25, 2002, the American Buckskin Registry Association (ABRA) awarded a wild horse, Steen's Vaquero, the World Championship in Western Riding, Open. Adopted and trained by Pam and Matt Fournier of Oregon, this talented young stallion, also known as "Cowboy," placed 3rd in the world for Trail, Junior Horse and English Pleasure, Open and 4th in Hunter Hack, Open.

Cowboy, a five-year-old mustang stallion, was adopted by the Fournier's in October 1999, from the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro Program. The BLM, an agency of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for managing the nation's public lands. With the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, a responsibility of BLM is to preserve and protect wild horses and burros and to manage for healthy rangelands. When an overpopulation of wild horses and burros exists on the range, the excess animals are removed and offered to the general public for adoption.

Cowboys' accomplishments are quite extensive, Grand Champion Mustang Stallion, High Point Open Horse, and High Point Amateur Horse at the National Wild Horse and Burro Show, all within less than a year of being adopted. In 2001, he began competing in ABRA shows. In his first year, competing almost exclusively with Quarter horses, Cowboy placed second in the nation in first year green western pleasure and earned enough points for a Register of Merit in Western Pleasure. He has won more than ten trophy buckles, including the Central Oregon Buckskin Club ABRA.

The Fournier's adopted Cowboy because of his size, color, and conformation. "Cowboys' features are typical for a wild horse; sturdy build, short back, good bone structure and excellent feet," said Pam Fournier. His broad forehead, noble profile and his large warm eyes are evidence of his intelligence that is so characteristic of the mustang."

Since 1993, the Fournier's have adopted more than twenty wild horses and burros and have found them to be excellent for ranch work, hunting, pleasure riding and show horse. After adopting and training wild horses and burros for almost ten years, Matt Fournier said, "Cowboy is one of the most talented horses I've ever ridden."