I saw a child who couldn’t walk,
sit on a horse, laugh and talk.
Then ride it through a field of daisies
and yet he could not walk unaided.
I saw a child, no legs below,
sit on a horse, and make it go
through woods of green
and places he had never been
to sit and stare,
except from a chair.

I saw a child who could only crawl
mount a horse and sit up tall.
Put it through degrees of paces
and laugh at the wonder in our faces.
I saw a child born into strife.
Take up and hold the reins of life
and that same child was heard to say,
Thank God for showing me the way…

John Anthony Davies

• Tim Pederson, BA/ATS, - President, Cowboy Triathlon Chair
• Darcy Hart - Vice President, Facility Chair
• Wanda Watson, RN/BSN, Treasurer, Finance Chair
• Lori Simpson, Secretary,  Special Olympics Recruitment
• Debra Alickson, RN - Program Chair
• Kim Brink - MS/PT, Therapist Liaison
• Patti Bucki Haberling, BA - Annual Banquet Chair
• Paula Camp, Esq. - House Counsel, Trithart Benefit Ride Liaison
• Kay Carger, Parent - Participant Chair
• Alice Harty, DVM - Equine Management Chair
• Steve Hilton, BS - Capital Campaign Chair
• Jean Johnson, MF, Volunteer Committee Chair
• Doug Lindgren, Ride-A-Thon Host
• Elaine Mellegard, RD/LN, Program Events Chair
• Pamela Rapp, CMT - Public Relations Chair, Center Founder, Certified Riding Instructor
• Marian Reed, MA, Annual Appeal Chair
• Debbie Stangle, Outreach Youth Chair
• Jerry Smedshammer - Equine Acquisition Chair, Benefit Auction Chair, Center Founder, Certified Riding Instructor
   
• Linda Smedshammer - Executive Director, Center Founder, Certified Riding Instructor, Ride-A-Thon Chair, Special Olympic Show Chair

The Board Members are all volunteers - giving of their time and talents to SunCatcher and the Special People we serve.

Management Team:

• Tami Bauer - Apprentice Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Program / Equine Management
• Agnes Baumann, BS Special Education - Program Coordinator
• Vicki Stratton - Secretary
• Leslee Wallis, BS - Certified Riding Instructor, Program Assessment

All Staff Members volunteer time to the program.

Instructors/Special Olympic Coaches:

• Linda Smedshammer
  • Jerry Smedshammer
  • Leslee Wallis
  • Tami Bauer

Organizations We Work With:

• Children’s Care Rehab & Development Center

• Little Miracles, PT/OT

• Black Hills Workshop

• Golden Living TBI Center

• Make a Wish Foundation

• “Meeting the Need”

• Dakota Abilities

• Northern Hills Training Cntr

• BH Special Services – N & S

• Lutheran Outdoors Camps

• BH Family Support

• Youth & Family Services

• Borderlands Ranch

• Special Olympics

Core Volunteers:

• Gary Alickson
• Mark Baumann
• Brian Benson
• Steve Denison
• Bob Franson
• Teresa Geraets
• Mary Lahlum
• Lynn Loverich, PT
• Patrick Okonkwo
• Karen Sayler
• Tineke van Eiken
• Mary Ann Westman

Core Junior Volunteers:

• Frank Baumann
• Vincent Boesem
• Lacey Geraets
• Victoria Stratton
• Elizabeth Wallis
• Taylor Rae Wallis
• Jaimie Wise