Our Mission

Growing students' confidence + faith

At Good Reins students experience
and learn who God says they are:

chosen

loved
​
masterpieces

Why Good Reins?

Many students grow up believing they don't measure up.  Some fall into thinking they are flawed.  These perceptions can be harmful - magnified by social media.

Through Christian mentors teaching horse riding, fine art, and God's love in the Bible, our students are given opportunities to learn about God's character and His truth.  Why is this important?  By knowing and believing the truth of who they are, students can persevere in hope, knowing God's amazing promises for them.  God's truth is good news! 

90% of students who participate in Good Reins demonstrate growth in their confidence and faith.

We invite you to join us in our mission by taking a tour of the farm, signing up to volunteer, and/or donating.

Meet The Team

​Sujean Chung .  President
Growing up in Texas as one of the only Asians in school, allowed Sujean to learn how to move fluidly between two distinct cultures - Korean, at home and church, and American, at school and socially. This bicultural world would serve her well later in life as a teacher in empathizing with her diverse students. Growing up as a PK (Pastor’s kid) also held its own distinct rite of passage. It was not easy, but there were blessings upon blessings that she wouldn’t see or acknowledge until much later in life. 

Upon graduation from high school, she went to Texas Women’s University in Denton and started her teaching career after her undergrad.  After marriage, she and her husband took hold of an unique opportunity to live and work in S. Korea, helping to start up a new international school. Sujean was the Director of ESL at the school.  She designed and implemented the ESL curriculum, and trained and led a team of 40 teachers on best teaching practices. Experiencing life in Korea was truly transformational. 

After about 5 years, it was time to come home. She decided to try her hand in running her own business called CollegePath International. The business specialized in helping families and students navigate the complex world of college planning, finding the right schools, financial aid, and even helping international students find aid.  As her family grew, she transitioned to working part time, most recently at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). While there, she served undergraduate and graduate students as a Writing & Communications Consultant for the school of business. 

During the pandemic lockdown, she was divinely introduced to Good Reins by one of her many cousins, and was able to secure a spot for her own daughter to attend the Daughter’s program. She says it was an incredible blessing for her daughter. The ministry continues to be an abundant source of blessing for her daughter & family.

Some fun facts about Sujean: She has happily gotten back into English riding again after a long break.  Her favorite things are sleeping, coffee, delicious foods, and always, her family and friends. The Lord has mercifully and abundantly blessed her. She’s not sure why she’s been so wonderfully blessed with an amazing husband, beautiful kids, friends and family, and a home church, but she is eternally grateful for Jesus.

Cona Alexander .  Founder and Outreach Director
Professionally, Cona is a licensed Architect and a Fine Artist.  She specializes in designing custom homes, equestrian properties, and oil painting.  On any given day she can be found cleaning up piles of LEGOs, playing in the dirt of her gardens, or working on a myriad of creative projects around the house while her children come and go with their neighborhood friends.

The life she is blessed to live today stands in contrast to some of the challenges she grew up with.  Aside from divine intervention, it's hard to explain why she lives a life so full of blessing and peace today.  She believes God loved her and sought her despite the confusion of her younger years, and gently called her to Himself over time.  

"God reached out to me through my love of horses when I was a young girl.  There's no way I could have given the gift of riding to myself back then.  It's the most expensive sport and we could not afford it, but God provided a way.  Those years I spent riding made a huge impact on my life for good.  My hope with the Good Reins ministry is to extend that gift to those who would be blessed by it, and to help our students know the love of our Father in heaven.  What we do together is so much more than riding, it's giving hope, joy, laughter, confidence, and knowing that you're loved and valued by God no matter what you've experienced. And knowing that He will redeem us, working all of our challenges for good in His perfect time. "

Linda Thibodeau . Windmill Stables - Lead Coordinator

Linda loves connecting with people through nature. She started riding horses in college and transitioned to scouting activities, Suzuki music camps, and church youth trips while raising her three children. Now that they are spread around the country, she has reconnected with her love for horses through volunteer programs such as Good Reins.

​As an Audiology Professor at University of Texas at Dallas she conducts research with wireless technology for persons with hearing loss. She is passionate about engaging her graduate students outside the classroom through programs for persons with hearing loss such as music arts, teen retreats, and couples workshops where they learn about communication challenges and implement possible solutions via interactions in real-life situations. Linda is extremely grateful for her many BLESSINGS in life including her two beautiful granddaughters!

Amy Cummings . Curriculum Coordinator
 Amy has been a volunteer with Good Reins since 2021—first as a guest speaker, then as a mentor, and now as the author of the current Good Reins Curriculum.

Amy grew up riding horses on the border in McAllen, Texas, competing in barrel racing and cattle disciplines. She has a lifelong love for animals and has a dog and three reptiles at home.

When Amy isn’t volunteering with Good Reins, she is the Director of Operations and Student Ministry at Murphy Road Baptist Church. Amy also volunteers with Journey of Hope Grief Support, leading grief support groups for children, and with Bridge 2913, mentoring student missionaries at Wylie East High School. She is also a mentor with Wylie ISD, leads a Bible study for the elderly in Murphy, and leads GriefShare support groups at her church.
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Amy graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2023 with her Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling, which she regularly uses in her ministry to teenagers and in grief support.

Sarah Zeisler D.V.M . Art Coordinator
​Dr. Sarah Zeisler graduated from Tarleton State University with bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Science and Animal Science. She then attended the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her DVM in 2016. Since graduating, she has practiced small animal veterinary medicine in the DFW area. She is also an adjunct professor for the Veterinary Technician Program at Collin College and thoroughly enjoys sharing her experience and knowledge with her students.

Having grown up in Allen and as a proud graduate of Allen High School, she is excited to serve Allen and the surrounding communities at Stacy Road Pet Hospital.
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She has three beloved pets: a greyhound named Bashir, a longhaired dachshund named Lucas, and an Appaloosa mare named Cobre. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding both on trails and in the arena. She is also creative and enjoys painting, sewing, quilting, and woodworking. She is a member of The Cross Church in Wylie and enjoys serving in their VIP Special Needs Ministry.

Emily Truong . Horse Instructor
Howdy! My name is Emily Truong. I'm a fighting Aggie, Class of '23. I graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor's in Animal Science. I've been riding horses for over 15 years in hunter/jumper, and eventing. I recently started taking some horsemanship lessons. I am so excited to be a part of Good Reins and to share God's love and horses with our students!

Devin Smith . Horse Instructor

Judie Nicol . Administrator

Judie joined GOOD REINS in 2022, serving as both an administrator and horse instructor until her move to Tyler. Her lifelong passion for horses spans over a decade, with more than 15 years of experience in the hunter/jumper discipline and over 5 years in western riding. 

​In addition to her work with GOOD REINS, she serves as a Director’s Assistant at a preschool, bringing the same dedication, warmth, and organizational skill to both roles. She is continually in awe of God’s faithfulness and provision, and she strives to share that joy in every part of her work—both in the barn and beyond.

Gretchen Foley . Board Member

​Gretchen Foley is the mother of three daughters, the youngest of whom just left for college.  She and her husband of twenty six years, Brian, are now learning how to be empty nesters.  Raised in a Christian home, she trusted Jesus as her savior at an early age.  Over the years she has been constantly amazed at how the Lord continues to reveal Himself and aspects of His character in tender ways, just when she needs them.

Her knowledge of horses comes through her middle daughter, who has been riding competitively for years.  She has learned through osmosis, lending an occasional hand to help Blake tack up and care for her horse during lessons or competitions.

A former elementary school teacher, she stayed home to raise her daughters.  Recently Gretchen started a small home staging business. 

Colton Valentine . Board Member
Colton grew up riding and never stopped!  In college while studying to become an Engineer, Colton competed successfully on his university's Pollo team.  These days he keeps his horse Walker on a friend's farm in Ennis, TX.  With their enthusiasm and lifelong knowledge of horses, Colton and his wife Naomi have been a wonderful blessing to the Good Reins Ministry.  

Naomi Valentine .  Mentor 

If anyone's smile can light up a room it's Naomi's.  So full of God's joy, Naomi is an awesome inspiration to our students and volunteers.  Naomi grew up with horses and shared her mother's passion for Equines.  Naomi sprinkles joy and encouragement wherever she goes.  What a gift she is to our ministry.

​"Love is patient, love is kind."

1 Corinthians 13:4

Equine Mentors
Equine Mentors are horses, and they have a lot to teach us. Through working with them, caring for them, and riding them, we learn how to become calm and effective leaders...it's amazing. Students who learn how to lead a horse confidently are empowered to overcome various life challenges.