NEW HORIZON RANCH

Brian is a graduate of Mid America Nazarene University with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Agribusiness.  He has been in the Therapeutic Riding industry since 2001, and became both a PATH Int’l Certified Riding Instructor, and an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist in 2006.  Brian also completed the O.K. Corral Series Green Training in 2008.  He and his wife, Joy, answered God’s call to found New Horizon Ranch in 2006.  Brian left his position of 21 years at College Church of Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas to take the Executive Director position with NHR in 2010.

He previously served as the Co-Chair of the PATH Int’l Center Advancement Committee and still enjoys finding ways to assist membership in effectively managing centers that provide quality equine assisted services.

He and Joy have two children, Sara and Stetson.  In his free time he enjoys riding horses, teeing up a round of golf and fishing with his kids.

Joy received an International Agribusiness degree from Mid America Nazarene University in 1999.  She and her husband, Brian, bought their first horses later that year, unaware that one of those horses would soon be serving riders with disabilities.  After seeing a therapeutic vaulting demonstration in 2001 they pursued God’s prompting and began volunteering at a local therapeutic riding center.  Excited to combine her love for horses and passion for people, she and Brian co-founded New Horizon Ranch in 2006.  Joy became a PATH Int’lCertified Riding Instructor and an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist in 2006 and completed the O.K. Corral Series Green Training in 2008.  She uses her love for details to develop and oversee the programs at NHR.  Joy enjoys the smiles and independence she sees from riders with special needs.

In whatever free time she can find, Joy enjoys serving at her church, riding horses, spending time with her kids, Sara and Stetson, gardening, and using her creativity to scrapbook.

Ashley graduated in 2011 with a degree in Business Administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Shortly after graduation, she transitioned her equine business to a full-time career and relocated to Equus Curito Equine Center in Louisburg, Kansas, owned by Bob and Susan Brennan.

Over the course of approximately ten years, Ashley trained and competed out of this facility, specializing in Extreme Cowboy Racing and Ranch Versatility events. During that time, she successfully trained and coached numerous horses and riders to World Championship titles.

Ashley is a strong advocate not only for horses but also for mental health awareness. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, a life-altering condition that temporarily halted her competitive career. While competition took a back seat, this experience led her to develop a deeper understanding of the human brain, behavior, and learning processes. She has since integrated this knowledge into her training and teaching approach, creating a thoughtful, progressive, and highly effective methodology.

Ashley brings with her a lifetime of horse experience and a passion for understanding horse behavior and effective training methods. This curiosity continues to drive her commitment to learning, evolving, and providing the best possible experience for horses and the humans they work with.

Dawn, a graduate of the University of West Florida in Graphic Design/Photography, found her passion for horses later in life. As a Navy family, they moved 14+ times (1 tour overseas), in 32 years of her husband being on active duty. She is thankful for the close friends they made, opportunities to travel, and lessons learned along the way. As a stay-at-home mom of 3, opportunities presented themselves to get involved with horses. It began with lessons for the girls at a young age, then she began lessons. They care-leased two horses, and ended up buying one for their oldest daughter as she evented. While boarding their horse in California, Dawn was inspired by a PATH International riding instructor and riders and began to volunteer. The family was soon moved to South Texas, where she found another therapeutic riding facility to volunteer with. The riders and instructors were inspiring, and she desired to learn more. The next move took the family to VA, when the opportunity at an equine facility held an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) workshop, and Dawn knew where God was leading her! The partnership with the horses overflowed into confidence in life skills, and she loved seeing that transformation in others. She earned her PATH Intl ESMHL certification in early 2024. Soon after her husband retired and they moved back to his hometown, Paola, to be near family. Dawn and her husband, Robert, enjoy spending time with their children and extended family, working on their farm, and serving in their church.