EquiFriends - a caring board of prominent local leaders
Evelyn Bredeson, Development Director
Evelyn Bredeson, BA in Human Services from WWU, 20 years experience in therapeutic riding programs; member of (NARHA) North American Riding for the Handicapped Assoc., Back Country Horsemen of WA, Cascade Horse Club, Peace Lutheran Church, and Pilchuck Recreation Assoc. Founding staff of EquiFriends; past Executive Director of EquiFriends, horse owner.
I became involved with therapeutic horseback riding for the disabled in the 1980’s when I volunteered at another program. It was a natural for me, because I believe in the therapeutic qualities of working with and riding horses. I know how therapeutic my horse is for me and through the years, I have witnessed over and over again at EquiFriends, how the activities on horseback have helped children and adults with disabilities.
As a founder of EquiFriends (1989), I am especially proud of its success and growth in the past 16 years. Our program has adhered to the approved standards of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped, Assoc.) since the beginning and has been a premier NARHA member for years. It has become one of the largest programs in Washington State and is one of the leading centers in the nation.
Through the years, I’ve served in almost every capacity of the program, quite often wearing many hats all at once. Often, in the beginning, I fed and cleaned stalls before tending to my duties as Executive Director, volunteer coordinator, grant writer and/or fundraiser. I am pleased that our staff and board have never wavered from EquiFriends mission: to provide therapeutic equestrian activities for the disabled in order to improve their health and quality of life.
In January 2006, I decided to serve as an EquiFriends board member. As a board member, I coordinate the Ride-A-Thon fundraiser and assist in program development. I stay inspired because of the students who ride towards their goals at EquiFriends. Seeing their accomplishments makes it all worthwhile.
Founding EquiFriends and staying involved has been an extraordinary experience…full of challenges, wonderful friendships and many accomplishments. Our many fund-raisers, backed by the community throughout the years, have been instrumental in supporting EquiFriends. In particular, I have been the coordinator for the Slicker n Nicker Ride-A-Thon for EquiFriends from the beginning (16 years). I have always been so impressed with and appreciative of the supporters and the community for their wonderful support in this event. They have made it a very successful event, every year raising between $20,000 and $35,000.
It is only through the financial support of the community and the generous caring of the volunteers who give of their time and efforts to assist each day of each week for the therapeutic riding classes, that EquiFriends has become the viable source of help that it is today for the disabled who choose to participate in our program.
I offer my sincere gratitude for every supporter and every volunteer who has helped EquiFriends and I look forward to your continued involvement in any way you are able. You are truly making a difference!