Rebecca Covey
Co-Founder | Bridle Up Hope: The Rachel Covey Foundation
After the loss of your daughter Rachel, you founded Bridle Up Hope to continue her legacy of helping girls and women. How has this work of transforming personal tragedy into a mission of hope changed you and your family’s perspective on grief and purpose?
The loss of our daughter Rachel was the most devastating moment of our lives — one that brought us to our knees and forced us to confront unimaginable grief. But from the beginning, we knew we had a choice: to let that grief consume us or to transform it into something that could bring light to others. Grief never fully goes away, but when it is paired with meaning, it becomes a powerful force. Our family has learned that even in the darkest pain, there can be beauty. Hope can rise from heartbreak. And when we use our trials to lift others, we heal a little more ourselves.
What key components of the program have proven most effective, and how have you maintained these core elements while expanding?
Our program is designed to build hope, confidence and resilience in girls and women who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse or low self-esteem. … Each girl is paired with a highly trained instructor who guides her not just in horsemanship, but in life. At the heart of Bridle Up Hope is our unique fusion of equestrian training with the life-changing principles from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” a book written by my late father-in-law, Stephen R. Covey. My husband, Sean, later wrote the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” which uses the same principles applied to teenagers.
Your work in Ukraine represents a significant international expansion during an incredibly challenging time for that country. What unique challenges did you face in establishing Bridle Up Hope there, and what impact have you observed among Ukrainian participants?
Establishing Bridle Up Hope in Ukraine during a time of war and national trauma was one of the most humbling and meaningful experiences of my life. We were stepping into a country where hope was in short supply, yet the human spirit remained incredibly strong. There were unique challenges — language and cultural barriers, logistical hurdles, and, most significantly, the emotional weight these girls and women carried from living in a war-torn environment. Despite these obstacles, the need for hope, confidence, and resilience was undeniable. … We networked with other Ukrainian charities to find a location and people who could run it for us. Over 800 Ukrainian girls and women have now gone through Bridle Up Hope, and the transformation has been nothing short of life-changing. … The barn has become a safe haven, offering comfort and purpose as participants care for the horses.
With a vision to partner with 1,000+ barns worldwide, what strategies are you implementing to scale the program while maintaining its effectiveness and integrity?
What makes our program scalable is the simple truth that horse barns exist all over the world and many are led by people who share our belief in the emotional healing power of horses. They also recognize the transformational impact of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and are eager to share those principles with the next generation.
We think of this much like a franchise. … In the coming years, we hope to be opening 25+ locations each year. There should be a Bridle Up Hope in every major market in the country and throughout the world. … It creates a beautiful ripple effect: When a girl gains hope and life skills, she carries that strength into everything she does. I truly believe that if you save one girl, you save generations.
