Lumberton, NJ – October 7, 2019 – The Gleneayre Equestrian Program (GEP) is proud to announce that Bill Rube has been named the Executive Director. He will be overseeing the multi-faceted 501(c)3 that focuses on the powerful connection between horses and people to teach, learn, grow and heal.
Established in 1998, the GEP’s offerings include Equine Facilitated Learning, Equine Facilitated Mental Health and a unique Working Student Program that matches horses with youth who are driven to learn about horses and caring for them. In essence, “horses helping children helping horses.”
The GEP’s mission statement reads, in part: “We exist to provide a hands-on, experience-based learning environment for people in difficult situations, including children, families, and military personnel. We believe that the powerful connection between people and horses is transformational. Through horsemanship, we develop character, learn ethics and responsibility, grow physically and emotionally, and discover ourselves. Our own lives improve as we improve those of our horses.”
The GEP also provides a safe haven for their donated program horses to live with dignity, peace and veterinary care for the remainder of their lives. When the horses are unable to continue being ridden in the Gleneayre programs, they are transitioned to become equine ambassadors in the GEP’s non-riding activities.
Ellen Healey, the GEP founder, met Rube years ago after one of his horses, Mystery Date, was donated to the program. They later reconnected, and the two began talking in-depth about the GEP and the wonderful work done for the community and the horses.
Bill Rube and Ellen Healey
“Bill is a wonderful partner to have, and we’re so excited to have him join us,” said Healey. “We started some in-depth conversations about what horses mean and do and how they change people’s lives. I saw in Bill a very kindred spirit to the mission we have for this program. It’s a leap for us to jump from our local and regional community to be nationally known, but we’re ready for that and so confident in Bill’s guidance.”
Alison Johnson, managing director and trainer at GEP, wears many hats within the program, and looks forward to working with Rube to help expand the programs.
“We’re a small group, so what’s so exciting for me about Bill coming onboard is that he can provide a different level of exposure,” said Johnson. “Bill has experience at the bigger shows and with the USHJA, so with his networking expertise he’ll bring a different perspective and vision.”
Rube, of Merchantville, NJ, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to GEP as a lifelong equestrian and executive in the non-profit sector. Most recently, Rube was the executive director of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund and the funds development director for the USHJA Foundation.
“I’m more than thrilled to join the Gleneayre Equestrian Program. This is a very special non-profit because their mission means so much to me,” said Rube. “Simply said, if this were available to me as a teen it could have helped change my path. Their mission statement , ‘Bringing Children and Horses Together for the Betterment of Each Other’s Lives’ really resonates with me. I look forward to helping expand the awareness of this amazing program.”
Rube joins GEP staff members Donna Capri, Jeannie Mattioni and Stephanie Enoch as well as Healey and Johnson.
Rube steps into his role just in time for the Gleneayre Horse Show & Hunter Derby, a major fund raiser for the program, to be held November 2-3. All proceeds from the event, presented by Arthur H. Thomas and East Coast Equine, will go toward funding the GEP programs. In addition to the competition, there will be an auction, raffles, local vendors, crafts, games and activities for the entire family.
For more information, please visit the Gleneayre Equestrian Program website: https://gleneayreequestrianprogram.org
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https://www.facebook.com/GleneayreEquestrianProgram
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GLENEAYRE FARM
Bill Rube – Executive Director
Office
573 Eayrestown Road
Lumberton, NJ 08048
Mailing address and GPS location for
Horse Shows, Hunter Derby, Working Student Program
P (609) 267-4104
F (609) 261-0799
Landing Street Arena and classroom located on Gleneayre Farm
Landing Street
Lumberton, NJ 08048
EFL, and EAP