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ERIC LINDH, EQUEST CEO
Please explain Equest’s mission and how you got involved with the organization.
Equest has a distinct mission to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse abilities by partnering with horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted services. For 43 years, Equest has served thousands of individuals through the human-horse connection, helping them achieve milestones that were previously deemed unachievable.
I am relatively new to Equest, joining the organization as the new CEO this past July. But I am thrilled to be here and so fortunate to work alongside our amazing team to further our mission of changing lives through the human-horse connection.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I grew up in Dallas and attended Rhodes College in Memphis. While studying abroad at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, I met a beautiful girl from Minnesota. We got married a few years later and just celebrated our 23rd anniversary. After spending a few years teaching middle school at the Shelton School, I got my master’s in business and nonprofit arts administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I returned to Dallas after graduating and have led a faith-based nonprofit organization in various capacities over the past 20 years. My wife and I live in Richardson and are blessed with three amazing children – one in middle school, one in high school, and one at Hope College in Michigan.
What makes Equest so special and impactful to the Dallas community?
As Texas’ first therapeutic horsemanship center, Equest quickly became an equine therapy industry leader. Equest partners with horses who are especially effective therapeutic partners given their physical and behavioral attributes. A horse’s multi-dimensional movement mimics the human gait and when mounted ultimately strengthens the core and balance of riders. As one of the country’s largest PATH International Premier Accredited Centers, Equest is uniquely positioned to serve the greater Dallas area, including the southeast Dallas community where we are located at the Texas Horse Park.
What do you enjoy the most about being a part of the Equest organization?
I absolutely love serving alongside such a talented and dedicated group of staff and volunteers. It’s also a pretty nice perk to be able to step outside of my office if I’m having a stressful day and go pet some horses in their stalls. But the best part of my job is hearing the life-changing stories of impact that happen at Equest with our clients through the human-horse connection.
How does support from community partners like Highland Park Village help Equest have a greater impact?
Our partnership with Highland Park Village is based on many trusted relationships within the community of supporters who are dedicated to helping Equest thrive. Our women’s auxiliary members appreciate the resources that Highland Park Village provides to organizations like Equest. This enables Equest to continue to change lives through the power of the human-horse connection.
The annual women’s auxiliary luncheon and fashion show draws many new friends and supporters into this circle. This not only benefits Equest but also introduces people who are new to Dallas to the stores at Highland Park Village. Many of the clients we serve at Equest are children of our women’s auxiliary members. So, it is poignantly impactful when supporters realize that they are helping their own neighbors and the greater Dallas community. Our relationship with Highland Park Village truly makes the world a better place.
What are some ways people in North Texas can get involved with Equest?
There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our clients. We rely on hundreds of volunteers each year to help with classes, take care of horses, or assist with events. If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities, please visit equest.org/volunteer/. Those interested in joining the Equest Women’s Auxiliary or providing financial support can find more information at equest.org/support-us/. But I believe the best way to learn more about Equest and explore how to get involved is to visit us! We would love to host you for a brief tour of our incredible facility at the Texas Horse Park, just a few minutes southeast of downtown Dallas. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at elindh@equest.org.
Lastly, where would we most likely find you in Highland Park Village?
You’ll most likely find me at Sadelle’s enjoying a good breakfast and coffee or sipping a Mambo Taxi at Mi Cocina while my wife shops at ALL the stores!
Highland Park Village is proud to spotlight our very own dynamic personalities and community partners in the Village Voices series. Get to know our past features.
