Our History
Arena was founded 2008 in Dripping Springs, Texas as a 501c3 non-profit and operates as a PATH Premier Accredited Center on 20 acres in the beautiful hill country. Starting with just six children in physical therapy on the horse and have grown to serve over 200 children and adults of all ability levels per week in the various unique programs we offer. In 2018 the second location in San Marcos was opened.
The mission is to empower individuals with disabilities through horses. The word "disability" is used, but the program never limits by person, by a diagnosis or preconceived limitation. Our goal is to help every participant develop skills and confidence that can be carried into every aspect of their life.
Through the years we have found the importance of family and community involvement to create more inclusive opportunities for every ability level. We have expanded to serve more of the community through our job training, educational programs and family support services. We also partner with other nonprofits to provide safe and empowering horse experiences that benefit their programs and participants.
The mission is to empower individuals with disabilities through horses. The word "disability" is used, but the program never limits by person, by a diagnosis or preconceived limitation. Our goal is to help every participant develop skills and confidence that can be carried into every aspect of their life.
Through the years we have found the importance of family and community involvement to create more inclusive opportunities for every ability level. We have expanded to serve more of the community through our job training, educational programs and family support services. We also partner with other nonprofits to provide safe and empowering horse experiences that benefit their programs and participants.
Our Board of Directors
President Caroline Juszczcak
Caroline has been a RED Arena weekly volunteer since 2009. Caroline has served as a Chair of Round-Up for the past 4 years and Scholarship Committee Chair past 2 years. Caroline has always had a heart for helping kids, and before moving to Austin, volunteered as a court-appointed advocate/guardian ad litem for children in the care of Child Protective Services in Harris County. To pay the bills, Caroline works as an information development manager at a company Forbes called one of the top 10 fastest growing technology companies, but volunteering at RED Arena and seeing the positive change it makes is where her passion is.
Vice President Marie lowman
SAS, Principal Consultant Government
As a parent of a rider, Marie has been involved with Red Arena since its inception in 2008. Marie is employed by SAS, the world’s largest privately held business intelligence vendor, as an international marketing manager for the government practice. Marie is responsible for leading a marketing team that brings the power of SAS analytics to more than 80 countries’ public sector organizations. With more than 20 years of international public sector experience under her belt, Lowman is known for her hands-on selling, marketing, and management approach. She is currently serving her second term as an elected council member for the City of Bee Cave, Texas.
As a parent of a rider, Marie has been involved with Red Arena since its inception in 2008. Marie is employed by SAS, the world’s largest privately held business intelligence vendor, as an international marketing manager for the government practice. Marie is responsible for leading a marketing team that brings the power of SAS analytics to more than 80 countries’ public sector organizations. With more than 20 years of international public sector experience under her belt, Lowman is known for her hands-on selling, marketing, and management approach. She is currently serving her second term as an elected council member for the City of Bee Cave, Texas.
Secretary Pamela Fricke
Apple Inc.
Pamela Fricke has worked for Apple Inc., in Austin, for over 22 years primarily with the Americas Operations team. She is currently a member of the Watch team and in this role she manages new product launches and is responsible for supporting all sales channels, including online, Apple Retail and resellers like Best Buy. One of her proudest moments at Apple was being awarded the Award of Excellence MVP of the Year related to her Supply/Demand management of Apple’s Latin American countries.
Pamela holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. She speaks Spanish fluently and is conversant in Portuguese.
She has had a lifetime commitment to horses and has bred, raised, trained and shown Arabians most of her life. She’s an accomplished equestrian who has competed internationally and holds National titles on a gelding she raised and trained. She is very passionate about the development of young horses and horses with a difficult demeanor. She loves trail riding and travels yearly with friends to New Mexico, Oklahoma or Arkansas. When she’s not in the saddle, she enjoys saltwater fishing, cooking, traveling and raising goats and chickens at her home in Dripping Springs.
Pamela Fricke has worked for Apple Inc., in Austin, for over 22 years primarily with the Americas Operations team. She is currently a member of the Watch team and in this role she manages new product launches and is responsible for supporting all sales channels, including online, Apple Retail and resellers like Best Buy. One of her proudest moments at Apple was being awarded the Award of Excellence MVP of the Year related to her Supply/Demand management of Apple’s Latin American countries.
Pamela holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. She speaks Spanish fluently and is conversant in Portuguese.
She has had a lifetime commitment to horses and has bred, raised, trained and shown Arabians most of her life. She’s an accomplished equestrian who has competed internationally and holds National titles on a gelding she raised and trained. She is very passionate about the development of young horses and horses with a difficult demeanor. She loves trail riding and travels yearly with friends to New Mexico, Oklahoma or Arkansas. When she’s not in the saddle, she enjoys saltwater fishing, cooking, traveling and raising goats and chickens at her home in Dripping Springs.
Treasurer briain Strickland
Brian and his wife, Teresa, of 35 years along with their three sons have all volunteered at Red Arena since 2013. They are horse owners and are supporters of several horse centric nonprofit organizations. Brian is currently a private equity investor focusing on real estate and related opportunities. He has over 25 years of real estate finance experience, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, private placements, and public equity offering. Brian has completed more than $14 billion of real estate transactions. Mr. Strickland graduated with a BBA in Accounting from Texas Tech University in 1985. He started his career at Ernst & Young in 1986 and was certified as a CPA in 1988. Brian served as Vice President of Tax at Wyndham International, Executive Vice President and CFO of CNL Hotels & Resorts Inc., CFO of JMI Realty LLC and Managing Director of S-Five Investors. Brian also served as an independent member of the board of directors for Felcor Lodging Trust Inc., a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust.
Member Jolynn joyce, DVM, Ms, DACVS
Austin Equine Associates
Dr. JoLynn Joyce is a native of Huntsville, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University where she earned both her Bachelor and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Following veterinary school, Dr. Joyce completed an equine internship at Waller Equine Hospital and then went on to Colorado State University to complete a surgical residency. She became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2009. She was happy to return to the great state of Texas and make Austin Equine her home. Her areas of interest include lameness and surgery. She and her husband live in the area and enjoy live music, outdoors and spending time with family.
Dr. JoLynn Joyce is a native of Huntsville, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University where she earned both her Bachelor and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Following veterinary school, Dr. Joyce completed an equine internship at Waller Equine Hospital and then went on to Colorado State University to complete a surgical residency. She became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2009. She was happy to return to the great state of Texas and make Austin Equine her home. Her areas of interest include lameness and surgery. She and her husband live in the area and enjoy live music, outdoors and spending time with family.
Member Joe Allison
Retired Business Owner/Operator
Joe Allison is a retired business owner who now focuses on seeding and advising startup companies in the 3D printing, software and medical industries.
Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1983. He then worked for Memorex, UNISYS, Hewlett Packard and 3D Systems before founding Solid Concepts in 1991. Under his direction as CEO, Solid Concepts lead the 3D printing industry for many years as the premier parts manufacturer and software provider. After selling his company, Joe subsequently served for 4 years as CEO of Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of a public company. In this capacity he managed up to 600 employees and directed all aspects of operations. He has also been instrumental as an investor and advisor in the formation, development and operation of many other companies including ALM; Structural Polymers, 3DSIM; MECHnano; ZVerse; EasyRX; Precision ADM; CollPlant; 3DM; Shattuck Labs; Gentle Giant Studios, and others. Joe currently serves as chairman of the board for Gentle Giant Studios, and as an advisor to the board for Precision ADM.
Joe Allison has also been involved in a number of non-profit organizations. Notably, Joe contributed to the formation of the 3D printing industry’s largest user group/conference by writing the bylaws and serving for 4 years on the board and the following officers positions: Chairperson; Vice-Chairperson; Past-Chairperson and Treasurer. Today this user group has over 3,000 members. Joe currently serves on the board of Madrone Ranch Property Owners Association as Treasurer and previously as President. Joe enjoys playing golf, guitar and scuba diving. He and his wife Kathy have a horse and live in an equestrian community just outside Dripping Springs.
Joe Allison is a retired business owner who now focuses on seeding and advising startup companies in the 3D printing, software and medical industries.
Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1983. He then worked for Memorex, UNISYS, Hewlett Packard and 3D Systems before founding Solid Concepts in 1991. Under his direction as CEO, Solid Concepts lead the 3D printing industry for many years as the premier parts manufacturer and software provider. After selling his company, Joe subsequently served for 4 years as CEO of Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of a public company. In this capacity he managed up to 600 employees and directed all aspects of operations. He has also been instrumental as an investor and advisor in the formation, development and operation of many other companies including ALM; Structural Polymers, 3DSIM; MECHnano; ZVerse; EasyRX; Precision ADM; CollPlant; 3DM; Shattuck Labs; Gentle Giant Studios, and others. Joe currently serves as chairman of the board for Gentle Giant Studios, and as an advisor to the board for Precision ADM.
Joe Allison has also been involved in a number of non-profit organizations. Notably, Joe contributed to the formation of the 3D printing industry’s largest user group/conference by writing the bylaws and serving for 4 years on the board and the following officers positions: Chairperson; Vice-Chairperson; Past-Chairperson and Treasurer. Today this user group has over 3,000 members. Joe currently serves on the board of Madrone Ranch Property Owners Association as Treasurer and previously as President. Joe enjoys playing golf, guitar and scuba diving. He and his wife Kathy have a horse and live in an equestrian community just outside Dripping Springs.
Member Michelle Mccool-calaway
Calacool Foundation
Michelle played softball in college, graduating from Florida State University in 2001. Later she earned a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and taught 7th grade Science for four years. She joined World Wrestling Entertainment as a competitor in the 2004 WWE Diva Search. Though she didn’t win, she signed a contract with WWE and later debuted on WWE SmackDown! Career highlights include being the 1st ever Divas Champion; first woman to hold both the Divas & Women's Championship; winner of the 2008 SmackDown Top Diva Competition and Pro Wrestling's Top performer in 2010.
Aside from wrestling, she also appeared on television programs such as Family Feud, Project Runway, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. While with the WWE, she and her husband Mark Calaway performed an annual “Tribute to the Troops” show, worked with Make-a-wish Foundation, Special Olympics and many more foundations. She left wrestling and retired at the age of 31 and in 2012, her beautiful daughter, Kaia, was born. Michelle is busy with enjoying the greatest blessing God has given her. She and her husband I have started The Calacool Foundation, focusing on helping our Veteran community. They are active at Lake Hills Church where they are involved with Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
Michelle played softball in college, graduating from Florida State University in 2001. Later she earned a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and taught 7th grade Science for four years. She joined World Wrestling Entertainment as a competitor in the 2004 WWE Diva Search. Though she didn’t win, she signed a contract with WWE and later debuted on WWE SmackDown! Career highlights include being the 1st ever Divas Champion; first woman to hold both the Divas & Women's Championship; winner of the 2008 SmackDown Top Diva Competition and Pro Wrestling's Top performer in 2010.
Aside from wrestling, she also appeared on television programs such as Family Feud, Project Runway, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. While with the WWE, she and her husband Mark Calaway performed an annual “Tribute to the Troops” show, worked with Make-a-wish Foundation, Special Olympics and many more foundations. She left wrestling and retired at the age of 31 and in 2012, her beautiful daughter, Kaia, was born. Michelle is busy with enjoying the greatest blessing God has given her. She and her husband I have started The Calacool Foundation, focusing on helping our Veteran community. They are active at Lake Hills Church where they are involved with Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
Member christine Bech
SAS, Principal Consultant Government
As a parent of a rider, Marie has been involved with Red Arena since its inception in 2008. Marie is employed by SAS, the world’s largest privately held business intelligence vendor, as an international marketing manager for the government practice. Marie is responsible for leading a marketing team that brings the power of SAS analytics to more than 80 countries’ public sector organizations. With more than 20 years of international public sector experience under her belt, Lowman is known for her hands-on selling, marketing, and management approach. She is currently serving her second term as an elected council member for the City of Bee Cave, Texas.
As a parent of a rider, Marie has been involved with Red Arena since its inception in 2008. Marie is employed by SAS, the world’s largest privately held business intelligence vendor, as an international marketing manager for the government practice. Marie is responsible for leading a marketing team that brings the power of SAS analytics to more than 80 countries’ public sector organizations. With more than 20 years of international public sector experience under her belt, Lowman is known for her hands-on selling, marketing, and management approach. She is currently serving her second term as an elected council member for the City of Bee Cave, Texas.
MEMBER catherine schnurr
Legal Counsel, Spiceworks
Catherine has been a practicing lawyer for over 20 years and has focused on advising technology companies and their boards of directors. Catherine is currently Chief Legal Officer of Spiceworks, Inc. and was previously with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC. She has focused on corporate governance, venture capital and private equity financings, mergers & acquisitions as well as cybersecurity and data privacy issues. Although not a native Texan, Catherine has lived happily in Austin since May of 1999 – despite the cedar fever. Catherine has two very talkative pre-teen daughters, enjoys tennis and her Peloton.
Catherine has been a practicing lawyer for over 20 years and has focused on advising technology companies and their boards of directors. Catherine is currently Chief Legal Officer of Spiceworks, Inc. and was previously with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC. She has focused on corporate governance, venture capital and private equity financings, mergers & acquisitions as well as cybersecurity and data privacy issues. Although not a native Texan, Catherine has lived happily in Austin since May of 1999 – despite the cedar fever. Catherine has two very talkative pre-teen daughters, enjoys tennis and her Peloton.
ED/CEO JENNIFER YOUNG, PT
Jennifer Young, PT founded RED Arena out of her deep passion for believing that a preconceived diagnosis did not need to limit a person. Her approach found individual's strengths and built upon them. Jennifer Young, PT, is a Physical Therapist licensed in the state of Texas since 1997. She is a PATH Registered Therapist and Level II Therapist with American Hippotherapy Association, and has been practicing equine assisted physical therapy since 2004. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and attended Texas State University to receive a Bachelors in Applied Sociology, Cum Laude, in 1995 and a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy, 1997. She is the Founder and Owner of Children’s Therapy Services, a private pediatric therapy group serving Greater Austin. Jennifer is the proud mom of two sons.
In the News
Here's some of the buzz. Please CONTACT us for press kits and interview contacts.
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KVUE Anchor, Brian Mayes, visits RED Arena!
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Dustin Morton wins Volunteer Award!
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Annual Reports
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Check out how we've grown! We work to keep our administration expenses as low as possible so that most of our expenditures are for direct programming.
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Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities through horses.