Board of Directors

A heartfelt thank you to our Board of Directors for your dedication and support. Your commitment makes a profound difference in the lives of our riders, volunteers, and equine partners. We are truly grateful for all that you do!

Paula Buckley

I am Paula Buckley. I grew up in Duluth, MN and have loved horses since I can remember but couldn't convince my mom to let me get one. Luckily, I was able to spend summers during high school at my sister's ranch riding horses to my heart's content. After high school, I attended the University of MN Agricultural School in Wauseca, MN earning a 2-year degree in equine studies. This is also where I met my future husband, Dan. I then worked at horse facilities in Tokeland, WA and Hutchinson, MN before getting married and moving to Menomonie WI. We started out dairy farming, transitioned to beef farming, while also working full-time. We had 3 sons who kept us busy with all their sports activities. During this time, I did have horses but came to realize that I wasn't giving them the attention they deserved. Fast forward to 2020 when my husband and I retired and moved to the Clear Lake area. This is when I began to look for an opportunity to give back and donate some of my newfound spare time. Wasn't I lucky to find Quarter Moon Acres Equine Therapy Center just outside of Amery, where I got to work with wonderful people and amazing horses?? This will be my 5th year volunteering and I am so thankful that I found them. If you are looking for an organization to donate your time or resources to, I would highly recommend QMA. I always leave with a bigger smile and a fuller heart than when I arrived.

Nancy Tritt

I am Nancy Tritt and I volunteer at Quarter Moon Acres. This will be my fourth year as a volunteer. I have always been a horse lover and, for a time, we had three rescue horses. However, lacking the time and resources to train them, we rehomed them after thirteen years of being pets. I enjoy helping the clients at QMA and seeing their progress as riders. They really bloom when they are around the horses, and it is such a joy to bear witness. Of course I love being around the horses as well, and ride when I can. We hope to move into offering therapy to veterans, and being the stepmother of a former Marine, that sort of program is near and dear to my heart. QMA nourishes me, heart and soul, and I feel fortunate to have discovered such a place.

April Simmons

I began volunteering at QMA in 2022, driven by my lifelong passion for horses and a desire to make a meaningful impact. Having volunteered with River Valley Riders during high school, I was eager to find another opportunity to get involved in equine therapy. I’m incredibly grateful to have found QMA; it feels like family. My role involves everything from cleaning stalls to creating weekly lesson plans, but the most rewarding part is seeing the clients’ faces light up as they ride. It’s truly a privilege to be part of their journey.