Dave Tewel

President

My wife, Jan, introduced to me to Free Rein in 2014, I have enjoyed being a side walker and leader, as well as helping in maintenance and construction projects. I’ve been a volunteer Nordic ski instructor for Spokane Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services at Mt. Spokane Nordic Ski Area since 1995. I began as a volunteer firefighter with Spokane County Fire District 4 in 1991 and now serve as a driver/operator for District 4’s Support Services team. I’m honored to have been invited to join Free Rein’s Board of Directors in mid 2020. It’s an exciting time in a very challenging scenario but I’m surrounded by a great team of dedicated volunteers and staff.

Amber Hull

Treasurer

Amber Hull joined the Free Rein Board as Treasurer in September of 2022. Growing up on a small wheat farm with horses she understands the impact a horse can have on a person. Amber has worked for AgWest Farm Credit for over 16 years. As VP Credit, her current duties include review and underwriting of large, complex, and/or high-risk credit requests with review of complete financial analysis. Amber attended Washington State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness with a minor in Animal Science. She is married with two children and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family: riding, camping, fishing, gardening and caring for her family’s dogs, horses, goats, and chickens.

Sandy Jones

Secretary

Sandy first discovered therapeutic riding when she volunteered at the PETE program at WSU in 1991. When she returned to the Seattle area she began volunteering at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding. In 1998 she completed her degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant and took on her own clients at Little Bit. In 2002 she became a Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Later in 2002 Sandy, her husband and two kids moved to Spokane. After having another kid and then buying a young Fjord named Loki she decided that it was time to work on opening a therapeutic riding program in Spokane. In the summer of 2008 Free Rein was launched. Sandy moved back to the west side in 2019 and returned to Little Bit where she is a Physical Therapy Assistant and an Adaptive Riding Instructor. In her free time Sandy enjoys spending time with her husband and her three kids who are all now grown and out of the house. Their adventures include hiking, paddling, cross country skiing, being on the beach and traveling.

Katharine Ross

Board Member

As a child, I was entranced with the horse-themed books of  Marguerite  Henry. My favorite book was King of the Wind, the story of the Goldolphin Arabian. I purchased an Arabian horse for my twin daughters in 2005, and we participated in Arabian horse show events. From owning my own horse, I saw first hand the magical bond between horse and rider. Katharine obtained her law degree from Gonzaga University and has practiced in Seattle for over 31 years. She is retired. Katharine is a native Spokanite, and returned to Spokane in 2020 after the death of her husband. In Seattle, I was introduced to Therapeutic Riding at Little Bits, where I volunteered with my daughter. Upon my return to Spokane, I currently volunteer at Free Rein Therapeutic Riding as a horse leader. I joined the board in January 2024. I am committed to the goal of obtaining permanent property for the Free Rein program.

Bobbie League

Board Member

Bobbie joined the Free Rein Board of Directors in 2015, for the first time, and served until 2021. She has recently rejoined the Board of Directors and is a member of the Free Rein Capital Campaign Task Force. As a retired Fund Development Professional for 12 years with the Spokane Guilds' School (SGS), now Joya, she has always been committed to serving individuals with special needs. Before her employment with SGS, she had been the Director of Certification, for 15 years, in the School of Education at Gonzaga University. She has always been an active volunteer in fundraising and development activities - 40 years - for many non-profit organizations. Bobbie holds a B.A. in Speech Pathology and an M.A. in Educational Administrations, Curriculum, and Instruction from Gonzaga University. She also holds a Washington State teaching certificate and has taught grades first through eighth. She and her husband, Richard, have owned Thoroughbred race horses and have experienced firsthand the magic and wonder of a horse. She is steadfast in making sure Free Rein can secure a permanent property and build their forever home.

Linda Bailey

Board Member

Linda Bailey joined the Free Rein board the summer of 2024. Linda’s passion for horses and helping others brought her to Free Rein. She was looking for a place to volunteer, she trained to be a side walker and helped at summer camp before joining the board.

Linda grew up with horses and was a member of the Tally Ho 4-H Drill Team for nine years in Clarkston, WA. She and her husband Gary farm in the St. John area where they are active in the Methodist Church and Linda volunteers at the Renew Thrift Store and leads a yoga class.

Linda retired from WSU in 2020 where she served as the Senior Director of Development for the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences.

Lisa Olson

Board Member

Lisa has been involved with Free Rein since 2012, holding many different responsibilities over the years. She grew up in Colorado riding horses, participating in 4-H, and competing in dressage. She was introduced to the world of therapeutic riding when she volunteered for a similar program in high school. Just after getting married and moving to Spokane, she found Free Rein and was excited to again support a program that works with horses to profoundly change the lives of those it serves. Lisa's professional experience is in marketing, project management, product development, and technology, and she spends much of her time raising three active kids and enjoying the outdoors with her family. 

Susan Denny

Board Member

Susan joined the board at Free Rein with nearly 30 years of experience in Spokane’s horse community. Her lifelong passion for horses began as a child where she would beg, borrow or steal to ride a horse. After moving to Spokane as an adult Susan began riding and showing in Hunter/Jumper and Dressage disciplines. Throughout this time, she worked at a local tack store where she met many horse enthusiasts. She currently owns a small boarding facility. She deeply values the healing and transformative power of horses, crediting them for her positive outlook and appreciation for life’s beauty. Susan first connected with Free Rein through her work in real estate, where she specializes in rural and equestrian properties. She was initially asked to assist with property analysis and site visits for the organization, and as she learned more about Free Rein’s mission, she became an active supporter—organizing small benefit events and ultimately joining the board to contribute on a larger scale. Originally from Idaho, Susan participated in Livestock 4-H for 10 years before earning a Finance degree from the University of Idaho. Now, she is honored to use her knowledge and passion to support Free Rein’s mission, helping to create meaningful connections between people and horses.