Founder of Unbridled Faith Farm. A wife and mother of two children, she is an Ordained Minister, an equestrian with a lifetime of experience in a wide variety of equine activities, including showing Quarter Horses, Paints and Pintos and winning many High Point Year End Awards, Buckles, Saddles and Titles. Elaine was awarded the Congress USA Championship Trophy for Showmanship in 1971. Her Family owned Quarter Horse Racings,” Horse of the Year“, Rocket Elaine; and the TB Breeders Cup Dystaff winner, Unbridled Elaine. Her father, Roger Devenport, brought the first two Quarter Horses to Wisconsin in the early forty’s from Oklahoma. Horses were always one of the main focus’ of her family.
Elaine attended Oral Roberts University with a major in Psychology. During her college years she volunteered for Teen Challenge and worked with their Youth Group and did Emergency Interventions. Immediately following college, she opened a boutique and hair salon, on Lovers Lane, in Dallas Texas. While there she was written up in Harpers Bazaar for being the New Kid On the Block, in the Dallas Morning News, “Who’s Who” section and was voted one of Dallas’ most eligible bachelor(ettes) for her ‘Fifth Ave. Smarts’. Following her retail years she moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico where she sold advertising for a Southwestern Arts Magazine.
Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” I grew up on the back of a horse, and if asked to recall all of the best memories I ever made, I’m looking through my old geldings ears, sitting behind his mane. His name was Saturdaynite Live, but we called him Saturday. That horse took me to countless shows, down endless tree covered trails, and caught every tear I ever cried. He was there at my highest of highs, and lowest of lows, and was my most trusted and loyal friend. He is gone now, but to tell you how I got here today, I had to mention my treasured confidant.
My name is Ashley Meudt, and I am a 21 year old nursing student at the UW-Madison School of Nursing. I was born and raised around horses, and they continue to amaze me in their ability to heal and teach. My mother bred and showed Arabians, and some of my earliest memories are playing in the pasture with our foals. Saturday was my very first show horse, and I learned more from my trials and tribulations with him than in any classroom I ever sat in. I met my best friend, Amanda Flannery, in 5th grade, and while most girls our age enjoyed a road trip to the mall, any road trip we took involved a horse trailer behind our pick up. On the weekends we were dressed in hunt attire in the show ring, and on weekdays we were on the trails.
My love for horses began when I was a toddler. My grandfather provided pony rides for the area county fairs. To get me to take my naps, I was placed on the pony ring until I fell asleep. I spent summers on trail rides, participated in speed events in rodeos, and broke my fair share of horses. Most of my preteen and teenage years were spent jumping off the school bus and riding horses until sunset. There was also the occasional moonlight ride unbeknownst to my parents or when I was late getting home.
When I became an adult, I attended college and earned an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems. During this stage of my life, horses were a weekend and summer hobby after work. Horses drew me back during a difficult pregnancy and helped me thrive and stay strong. I rode until I was six and a half months along and trained from the ground until two weeks before my daughter was born. My daughter inspired me to go back to college and earn a teaching degree in order to share my love of horses with young people. Horses gave me strength, self-confidence, and strong work ethic. I discovered my passion to help other young girls and women to develop the same skills I acquired by simply befriending a beautiful muscular powerful gift from God called a horse. Horses saved me countless times throughout my life with their gentleness, compassion, and tranquility. My destiny of working with young women and horses was confirmed when the church pastor introduced me to Elaine at Unbridled Faith Farm.
Happy Trails - Peggy Helland
As one who is impassioned by what I may find around the next bend or over the next hill, I have become the "Trail Boss" at Unbridled Faith Farm. "Tis a wonderful thing" to be on horseback out on the trail, offering a good ride to my horse, inhaling the fresh air along with nature's sights such as a glimpse of a newborn fawn!
On my own farm, my life-long love of horses finds me seizing every opportunity to explore a new trail or to simply appreciate a well-worn path. Having shown reining horses in the past, I am drawn to a finely tuned equine partner. In addition to time spent with my horses, I strum a few chords on my guitar and sing a few songs, often around a campfire.
I am a Registered Nurse, having worked many years in a busy Emergency Room. I remember thinking as I first entered nursing, how great it would be to be a First Aide Nurse on a ranch so I could ride my horse and practice nursing at the same time!
At Unbridled Faith Farm I am experiencing the unfolding of my personal dreams. I am privileged to assist others down the trail into their own dreams while making that important connection with their horses. I guide the riders out into nature, seeing all the wonders to be found, fellowshipping around the campfire and singing a joyful song about the adventures on the trail. I am always prepared to put ice on any bump or bruise…the great outdoors, singing, first aide and horses too! Does it get any better?!
