By Britney Grover
Emily Wygod Bushnell grew up valuing horses in her own life. She began riding first in New Jersey and then continued in San Diego, California, at Newmarket Farm under Cece Durante Bloum, Erin Durry and Lorrie DeRosa. “I competed mainly in Junior Jumpers and equitation, traveling east for finals and steadily progressing until I was competing in Grand Prix events. After college, I focused more on Amateur Owner Hunters while becoming increasingly involved with our family’s Thoroughbred business,” Emily said. “I decided to take a break from showing to concentrate on the Thoroughbreds and dedicate time to volunteering at therapeutic centers.”
That was when she came to value another, deeper aspect of horses: their power to transform the lives of others. In 2014, Emily helped found Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc. in Bedford Corners, New York, with three instructors and four board members, including Emily, who all grew up with horses. Today, Endeavor has grown to serve over 900 people each year, 300 of whom are veterans. In addition to therapeutic horsemanship for individuals with disabilities, Endeavor serves veterans and active-duty military as well as at-risk children and adults, and offers equine-assisted learning in partnership with local schools.
In addition to her role as executive director at Endeavor, Emily currently rides with Kate Oliver at CEO Stables.
The Endeavor therapeutic horsemanship program teaches riding to children and adults with disabilities. Photo by Kristen Vallejo
How did you discover horses?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had horses as partners, teachers and friends throughout my life. My father grew up near Belmont Racetrack and developed a lifelong love for horses. In the 1950s, he worked as a groom and hot-walker. I spent my first decade on a farm in Bedminster, New Jersey, surrounded by Thoroughbred lay-ups and foxhunters. I spent every possible moment with horses.
As I grew older, horses became integral to my life and were the foundation for the majority of my relationships. Driven by the desire to give others access to horses—especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity—I began volunteering at various therapeutic riding centers. I fell in love with how these horses can transform lives in countless ways. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have been surprised by their impact, but I’m still in awe of how they can strengthen both the mind and body, offering comfort and healing.
What’s your favorite part of your role as executive director at Endeavor?
My passion lies in direct service work—whether that’s teaching riding skills or working with participants on the ground, helping them understand how to connect with the horses and the valuable life lessons they impart. The teachable moments are everywhere, and I love seeing how these lessons translate into personal growth.
The 2024 Equus Back on Track horse Stryker works with a young adult and instructor Jennifer Heffer. Photo by SEL Photography
Where do you get your horses, and how many do you have?
We currently have 12 horses, and we’re fortunate to find these incredible creatures from a variety of backgrounds. Our horses’ backgrounds include showing, trail riding, rescue organizations, barrel racing, Amish cart horses, racehorses, polo ponies and more. We aim to have 15 horses. In our experience, for every 10 horses that we evaluate, we typically bring one in on trial. Our success rate with trial horses is about 50%. We’re looking for horses that fill a current need in our programs and also want to do the work. They need to be OK with many handlers, a lot of people around them at one time and unpredictable noises and movements, and of course be sound and able to at least walk-trot but hopefully walk-trot-canter with a beginner. It’s a lot to ask of a horse (and we’re hoping to find it for free!).
What has inspired you in running Endeavor?
Every day brings new moments of inspiration. When you witness the profound bond between a horse and a person—especially when that bond helps someone who might never have had the opportunity to experience it—there is an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. We’ve seen children, once unable to make emotional connections, form deep bonds with their horses. We’ve seen youth who grew up in foster care learn to relax, have fun and trust the horse they work with to form a partnership. We’ve been part of the journey with veterans who are in an acute phase of their struggles with post-traumatic stress and watched them regain control of their lives through their work with the horses. Incarcerated individuals who have shared that they live with fear and judgment have transformative experiences with horses that offer them unconditional acceptance. These moments drive everything we do.
Can you share an example of the amazing things that happen at Endeavor?
One of the most unforgettable moments was with a young veteran who was nearing the end of his life. He was an avid fan of the TV series “Yellowstone” and had always dreamed of riding. We were able to safely accommodate him, and the experience was one of the most impactful interactions I’ve ever witnessed. The veteran was beaming with joy, and our horse was incredibly calm and confident beneath him. To be able to give him a gift like that was profoundly meaningful, and it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.
Through the Pathways Program, Endeavor partners with local residential and day facilities to offer equine-assisted services to vulnerable children and adults. Photo by Kristen Vallejo
What other achievements has Endeavor made?
We recently celebrated our 10-year anniversary—a milestone that reflects the growth and impact of our work. What started as a program for a handful of children has grown to serve nearly 1,000 individuals each year. We’ve built a dedicated team of professionals who live up to our motto: Enrich, Inspire, Empower. We’re also supported by hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and expertise to keep our farm running smoothly. I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, how we’ve managed this growth and how we’re planning for the future.
What’s your goal for Endeavor?
We have a passionate team, an enthusiastic board and a full schedule of wonderful participants and volunteers. My vision is for this farm to thrive long beyond my involvement, continuing to make a difference for those who need it most. And, of course, we’re always on the lookout for a few more horses!
What’s the best thing about being involved?
One of my colleagues says (probably weekly), “This is just goodness.” And I couldn’t agree more. When you step onto the farm, no matter who you are, you can’t help but exhale, breathe and be fully present. It’s a place of peace, healing and joy.
For more information, visit endeavorth.org or follow @endeavor_th on Instagram
