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Monday 3pm - 7pm Tuesday 4pm - 8pm Wednesday 4pm - 7pm

Summit Equestrian Center

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Fort Wayne, IN
Summit Equestrian Center

Vision: A community where the bond between horses & individuals changes lives. Interested in volunteering?

Mission: We are the connection between the healing power of the horse & individuals who have physical or cognitive needs. We have many friends to take care of on the farm, and as the saying goes, "many hands make light work". We would love to meet you and learn about your unique gifts that would add to our team here at Summit. Whether you just want to be a side walker during lessons, groundskeeper, feeder or organizer, we have a place for you.

01/11/2026

Meet Brian O’Hara, one of our newest Board Members. Brian brings a wealth of leadership, cybersecurity, and strategic expertise, along with decades of experience serving organizations at the highest levels.

Brian T. O’Hara, MA, CISA, CISM, CRISC, CCSP, CISSP, is a cybersecurity and IT leader with more than 30 years of experience supporting large corporations and government organizations. His career includes roles as IT Director, CISO, Virtual CISO, and most recently National Strategic Engagement Adviser for the FBI, Indianapolis Division.

Brian is also a recognized expert in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), with industry experience spanning healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services. He has contributed to statewide cybersecurity initiatives as a charter member and strategic advisor to Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC), helping strengthen critical infrastructure resilience.
In addition to his professional practice, Brian has an extensive background in education and mentorship. He served as Information Technology Chairperson at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne, developed risk management coursework for Indiana Tech, and spent seven years coaching the Ivy Tech Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC), including two years as State Director. He is a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences such as RSA, SecureWorld, and Indy Big Data, and regularly contributes as an IT security and audit subject matter expert for ITProTV.

Brian is a published author and technical editor for several leading cybersecurity texts, including Wiley study guides for CISA, CISSP, and CCSP certifications. He holds degrees from Indiana University and the University of North Dakota, and has served in leadership roles with organizations such as ISACA, ISC², and InfraGard.

Skills & Strengths
Cybersecurity Leadership | Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) | Strategic Advisory | Critical Infrastructure Protection | IT Audit & Risk Management | Education & Mentorship | Public Speaking | Board & Committee Service

01/10/2026

Meet Julie Keefer 👋
One of our newest Board Members and our Board Secretary. We’re grateful for her experience, dedication, and love of horses as she helps guide Summit Equestrian Center forward.

Julie Keefer brings a distinctive blend of professional expertise and a lifelong passion for horses to her role as Board Secretary. Prior to retiring, she spent ten years as the Front Office Manager for a commercial construction company, where she served as a primary point of contact for clients and provided administrative support across multiple departments. Earlier in her career, Julie worked in the transportation industry, beginning as a dispatcher and later advancing to the role of Cargo Claims Administrator.

Horses have been central to Julie’s life for more than five decades. She grew up showing hunters and jumpers and later worked on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Following a serious riding accident in 2010 that significantly limited her ability to ride, Julie made the difficult decision to step away from the saddle in 2015. Despite this transition, she has remained deeply connected to the equine community.

Julie’s personal experience with the profound healing power of horses drives her strong commitment to the mission of equine-assisted therapy. As Board Secretary, she leverages both her professional background and her enduring connection to horses to support and advance the organization’s vision and impact.

Organizational Leadership & Board Support | Office & Administrative Management | Written & Verbal Communication | Client & Stakeholder Relations | Attention to Detail & Recordkeeping | Cross-Department Coordination | Problem-Solving & Adaptability | Equine Knowledge & Equine-Assisted Therapy Support

01/10/2026

🇺🇸 Want to give back to our veterans? 🇺🇸
Are you a veteran looking for a place to land?

Summit Equestrian Center is looking for new volunteers willing to give their time and be part of something meaningful.

There are so many ways to get involved, including:
• Fundraising & community outreach
• Office support
• Helping with our new newsletter
• Barn support & grooming
• Working directly alongside our veterans

Whether you have a few hours a month or want to be more hands-on, your time truly makes a difference.

✨ Moving forward together—one horse, one veteran, one volunteer at a time. ✨

Please RSVP in our event or message the page and let us know you can make it! There will be info and sign ups coming on another one on Jan 27th from 4-6pm soon

01/09/2026

Meet Sue Shilts, our Vice Chair of the Summit Equestrian Center Board of Directors. Sue brings decades of creative leadership, nonprofit service, and a lifelong love of horses to our mission, helping guide Summit with heart, experience, and vision.

Sue Shilts is the former owner of Just Sue Graphic Design, a creative studio she founded and led for 42 years before semi-retiring in 2022. Throughout her career, Sue provided thoughtful, strategic design solutions for a wide range of clients, including Lincoln Financial Group, Parkview Health, AEP/Indiana Michigan Power, Delco Remy, Cookie Cottage, and the Fort Wayne Medical Society.

A passionate supporter of nonprofit organizations, Sue has generously volunteered her professional expertise to many causes close to her heart, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cancer Services, Erin’s House, Byron Health, Visiting Nurse & Hospice, and Summit Equestrian Center. Her commitment to service also includes board leadership roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, and Summit Equestrian Center. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to community impact, Sue received the Diane Humphrey Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2013. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Summit Equestrian Center Board of Directors.

Beyond her professional and volunteer work, Sue has a lifelong love for animals—especially horses, dogs, and cats. She began riding at the age of five and has owned horses for more than 20 years, making her connection to Summit’s mission both personal and heartfelt.

Skills & Strengths
Graphic Design & Visual Branding | Creative Strategy | Nonprofit Marketing & Communications | Board Leadership & Governance | Community Engagement | Volunteer Leadership | Strategic Planning | Fundraising Support | Relationship Building | Equine Knowledge & Animal Advocacy

01/08/2026

Meet Rich Beck, our Board Chair! We’re grateful for his leadership, guidance, and commitment to helping Summit Equestrian Center continue to thrive.

Richard E. Beck, Jr. worked in the Financial Services industry for more than 40 years. In addition to his career in banking, he has served as senior adjunct faculty member at Concordia University of Wisconsin’s Fort Wayne, Indiana Campus teaching Management and Business Ethics and Marketing. He has served as an Adjunct Faculty member for Indiana Tech teaching Organizational Behavior. He has taught for the American Institute of Banking, the Indiana Bankers Association and American Bankers Association. Mr. Beck is currently teaching at the North and South Dakota Schools of Banking and the Nebraska and Kansas Schools of Banking as well. His teaching expertise led him to teaching a summer session in Marketing at Concordia’s International University in Estonia. He has published articles on sales, marketing and management for trade magazines. He is the author and recently published the 7th edition of the American Bankers Association textbook on Consumer Lending. He currently serves on the Allen County Redevelopment Commission as President. He is Board Chair for the Allen County Public Library Foundation, Board member for the Fort Wayne Construction Trades, Downtown Improvement District and the Allen County Child Protection Team. He serves as Board Chair for Summit Equestrian Center as well.

Mr. Beck holds a Master’s Degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science/U.S. History from Ball State University.
He retired from banking after 45 years and ran for political office. He won the primary and general election and is now serving in his second term as Commissioner of Allen County, Indiana.

He is married, he and his wife of 35 years Sylvia, have a blended family of four kids and thirteen grandchildren.

01/07/2026

Yeehaw 🤠🐎

When Veteran Mike Tappy hops on a penny horse, you know it’s about to get entertaining. Cowboy hat in the air, smiles all around, and proof that you’re never too grown (or too tough) to enjoy the ride.

This is what community looks like—good laughs, big smiles, and moments you didn’t know you needed. Thanks for bringing the fun, Mike! 💚

01/07/2026

Meet Sarah Pettigrew (SJ)—our Barn and Volunteer Assistant, currently working toward CTRI certification.

SJ is a Psychology major with a minor in Anthropology at Purdue University Fort Wayne, bringing together academic training in human behavior with extensive hands-on experience in the equine field. She has more than a decade of equine involvement, beginning as a volunteer at Summit Equestrian Center at the age of 13 and now serving as a member of the organization’s staff.

SJ’s equine background includes ten years of participation in 4-H Horse & Pony, where she achieved notable recognition, placing first in the state of Indiana and fifth nationally in horse judging. She also served on the Allen County 4-H Board of Directors, contributing to youth leadership and program development.

In addition to her competitive and leadership experience, SJ has worked as a riding instructor at a youth horse summer camp, where she taught foundational riding skills and helped young riders build confidence, responsibility, and a positive connection with horses.

Skills & Strengths
Equine Instruction & Horsemanship | Youth Mentorship | Psychology & Behavioral Insight | Program Support | Communication Skills | Leadership & Teamwork | Equine-Assisted Program Experience | Community Involvement

01/07/2026

Brynn’s getting a fresh set of front shoes today 👞🐴
Because around here, we live by one simple truth: no hoof, no horse.

Keeping our horses healthy, sound, and comfortable allows them to show up every day for our riders—especially the veterans who rely on them for healing, confidence, and connection. Farrier care is essential, and it adds up quickly for a herd like ours.

If you’d like to help sponsor a trim or a set of shoes for Brynn or any of our horses, everything you need can be found in our Linktree:
👉 https://linktr.ee/SummitEquestrianCenter

Whether you’re looking to:
• Donate
• Volunteer your time
• Or you’re a veteran interested in joining our program

All links—donations, paperwork, our website, and all of our social media—are available in our Linktree.

Thank you for supporting the horses who support so many. 🐴❤️
No hoof, no horse.

01/06/2026

Meet Ash Snow, our Barn Assistant, who brings dedication, discipline, and a passion for horses to the team.

Ash is a former United States Marine with four years of service as a corrections officer, bringing discipline, leadership, and a strong work ethic to their role at Summit Equestrian Center. During military service, Ash was stationed in Japan for three years and traveled throughout Taiwan and the Philippines, gaining valuable global and cultural experience.

Raised around horses, Ash always knew that a career in the equine industry was their long-term goal. After transitioning from military service in early 2025, Ash joined Summit Equestrian Center just a few months later. With the support of SEC, they continue to expand their horsemanship skills and professional knowledge while building a meaningful career in the equine field.

Ash combines a strong foundation of service and discipline with a lifelong connection to horses and a commitment to continued learning and growth within the equestrian community.

Skills & Strengths
Military Leadership & Discipline | Corrections & Safety Experience | Horsemanship Foundations | Animal Care & Handling | Facility & Barn Operations | Teamwork & Reliability | Continuous Learning | Adaptability

01/06/2026

Early mornings at the barn…. So quiet and peaceful .. until feed time and the horses say the feeders to slow.

01/05/2026

Jennifer Reelsen is a certified therapeutic riding instructor with over 17 years of experience helping individuals of all abilities build confidence, strength, and connection through equine-assisted activities. Plus more than 40 years of hands-on riding and horsemanship experience, Jennifer brings a deep understanding of horse behavior, care, and training to her work, creating a safe and enriching environment for both rider and horse.

In addition to her equestrian expertise, Jennifer is a high school biology teacher, blending her passion for science and education to inspire the next generation. Her unique background allows her to draw meaningful connections between the natural world, human development, and animal assisted therapy.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE

CTRI | Equine Behavior & Safety | Inclusive Teaching | Community Program Development | Equine Training and Care

01/04/2026

Meet Tui Bedwell ✨
Volunteer Manager & Annual Fundraiser Chair at Summit Equestrian Center

Tui Bedwell is the Volunteer Manager and Chair for the annual fundraiser at Summit Equestrian Center, a nonprofit equestrian organization dedicated to enriching the lives of veterans and individuals with disabilities through wellness-based and transformative horsemanship programs. With almost 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, event planning, community engagement, and volunteer coordination, Tui brings both strategic expertise and genuine heart to her work.

At Summit Equestrian Center, Tui leads the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of a dynamic volunteer team, fostering a supportive, mission-driven environment where both people and horses can thrive. She plays an integral role in organizing annual fundraisers and special events, strengthening nonprofit management practices, and cultivating strong relationships with business partners, donors, and community stakeholders. Her work bridges strategic vision and day-to-day ex*****on, ensuring programs are mission-aligned, sustainable, and people-centered.

In addition to her current role, Tui has served as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, providing her with firsthand experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight. She has also worked closely with executive directors across the nonprofit sector, helping bring nationally recognized experts to organizations to address critical topics focused on developing more effective, resilient, and impactful nonprofit leaders. This experience has shaped her strong understanding of leadership development, governance, and capacity building within mission-driven organizations.
Tui holds a Master’s degree in Professional Communications from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Business Administration from Taylor University. Her leadership is grounded in a deep passion for equine-assisted services and a personal commitment to creating lasting, positive change in the lives of veterans and individuals with disabilities.

For Tui, the heart of her work lies in connecting people with purpose—cultivating spaces where healing, growth, and meaningful human–animal connection can flourish. She believes the strongest nonprofits are built at the intersection of purpose, people, and trust.

Areas of Expertise
Nonprofit Leadership & Program Management | Fundraising Strategy & Event Planning | Executive Leadership Support & Development | Community Outreach & Development | Team Leadership & Training | Recruitment & Retention Strategies | Equine-Assisted Services & Therapeutic Horsemanship | Veteran and Disability Advocacy | Public Relations & Strategic Communication | Nonprofit Effectiveness & Capacity Building | Volunteer Coordination & Engagement

Address

10808 La Cabreah Ln (our Drive Is The 2nd Right Turn In The Subdivision)
Fort Wayne, IN
46845

Opening Hours

Monday	3pm - 7pm
Tuesday	4pm - 8pm
Wednesday	4pm - 7pm

Telephone

+12606192700

Website

http://www.summitequestriancenter.org/

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