story courtesy of Dan Stewart
Shawn Day retired from the US Army after 21 years of service. He served with numerous units throughout his career. Most notably the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) and the 101st Airborne (AASLT). He spent the first17 years of his career serving as an Infantryman holding positions from rifleman to platoon sergeant. He deployed to Bosnia in support of peacekeeping operations in the spring of 1997 to help stabilize a war torn nation. He was deployed for his second time in his career to Kosovo in the fall of 1999 to stop a civil war as part of another peacekeeping mission. In between these two deployments Shawn started his career in the rodeo arena as a bull rider in Germany. He qualified for his first European Rodeo Cowboys Association Finals in his first season finishing the year in 8th place. The following year he added team roping (heading) and calf roping to his resume qualifying for finals in all three events.
In 2003 Staff Sergeant Day deployed to Iraq with 1-16 Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division. His tour would be cut short due to injuries. After recovering he was recommended to serve as a member of the Fort Riley Commanding Generals Mounted Color Guard eventually becoming the platoon sergeant and demonstration leader. For the next 3 years he served as an ambassador for the US Army at events ranging in size from elementary school visits to PBR events and the Presidential Inauguration Parade. In 2007 he won the Directors Cup at the US Cavalry Assn championship. In 2005 he discovered cowboy mounted shooting and has worked his way to being a level 5 competitor. He has won several titles over the years. He is a 2X Kansas State CMSA champion. 1 Kansas State CMSA reserve championship. 1 MSA Arizona State championship.
Mid-Central CMSA Reserve champion. Support the Troops Overall champion cowboy. After completing his assignment with the CGMCG Shawn was assigned to 1-63rd Armor Regiment for a second tour to Iraq in 2008.
This tour would be cut short as well due to further injuries. Upon returning to the United States he would undergo a complete lower spinal fusion and have to appear before a medical review board to determine his capabilities to remain in the military. Upon completion of review of his service he was allowed to remain on active duty but he would have to transition from an infantryman to a human resources manager where he would serve the remainder of his career. In 2015 he was the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association Rocky Mountain circuit co-champion team roper. Shawn retired from the Army in January of 2016 and has continued to compete in multiple events across the country. He recently won his first USTRC championship heading title. He and his wife Kristine own and operate SbarD Performance Horses located in Chapman KS where they specialize in training mounted shooting and versatility horses. They have 2 children Schailynne 15 and Aighdanlee 10. The army, rodeo and mounted shooting are a family affair for the Days. Kristine is an army veteran with 11 years of service and 2 tours to Iraq. The Day family travel and compete together as often as their schedules permit them and can be found cheering each other on in and out of the arena all over the Midwest.
