Meet the Herd
Who We Are
Brianna Rakowski
Founder & Facilitator
Bree is the human heartbeat of Crossroads Connection, walking her own journey of growth right alongside the herd. Horses have been part of her story since childhood — from giving her first riding lessons at ten, to training and working with horses through her teens and early adulthood, to eventually founding Crossroads Horsemanship. What began as lessons and training grew into a deeper calling: creating a place where horses could teach, people could grow, and faith could guide the way.
​
Her path hasn’t been a straight one. Bree has stepped back, started again, been tested, and been shaped — much like the horses she works with. Through seasons of challenge, motherhood, and rediscovery, she found clarity in what she always knew: the horse is the true teacher, and her role is simply to facilitate the process, to hold safe space, and to walk alongside.
​
In 2025, Bree became a certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator through Equine Connection, a milestone that confirmed the vision she’d been carrying for years. The certification gave her not only tools and structure, but also the affirmation that the path she had always dreamed of was the right one — not therapy, not traditional horsemanship, but something uniquely in between: hands-on, objective-driven experiences led by the horse.
​
With the rebirth of Crossroads Connection, Bree’s mission aligns closely with the herd itself. Just as Athena brings wisdom, Anya brings watchfulness, Amara brings grounding, Tavin brings curiosity, Gemma brings challenge, and the ponies bring approachability, Bree brings her own blend of faith, resilience, and lived experience. She doesn’t stand above the horses, but with them — learning, guiding, and honoring the lessons they give.
Bree’s gift is seeing the bigger picture and inviting others into it. Her story, like the herd’s, is proof that healing and growth come step by step, through honesty, presence, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Gloria Pischke
Partner in Growth
Gloria has been walking this journey alongside Bree as both a horsewoman and a learner, bringing her own steady presence and deep care for horses and people alike. What began with seeking help for her mare, Gemma, has grown into a true partnership. Together, Bree and Gloria have poured into the herd, the land, and the vision of Crossroads Connection.
​
Gloria has a natural gift for support and encouragement, and her heart for people shines through in everything she does. Her willingness to learn, to step in where needed, and to grow alongside the herd has made her an invaluable part of the Crossroads environment.
​
As Gemma transformed, so did Gloria’s role. What started as boarder and horse owner became much more — a partner in the work, a future facilitator, and someone who carries the same vision of horses as teachers. In time, Gloria will step fully into facilitation, running this work side by side with Bree, expanding the reach and impact of Crossroads Connection.
​
For now, Gloria brings balance, compassion, and a steady presence that threads through the herd and the humans alike. She is proof that when the right people cross paths at the right time, the vision only grows stronger.
Athena
Lead Mare
Athena has been with Bree since she was five years old. Now at 20 years old, makes her one of the deepest roots in the Crossroads Connection herd. True to her name, Athena carries the wisdom and steadiness of a leader. She has always been strong in the front end and a little quirky behind, yet she has never let it slow her down — a living example that strength isn’t about perfection, but about showing up as you are.
​
In the herd, Athena holds the role of lead mare. She sets the tone with her grounded presence, guiding the others with quiet authority and calm confidence. With people, she brings that same steadiness — teaching lessons in trust, leadership, and standing firm.
​
Athena reminds us that leadership doesn’t have to be loud; it can be steady, consistent, and rooted in quiet strength.
Anya
The Watcher
Born on March 25, 2014, Anya has grown up alongside Bree through seasons of change, loss, and rebuilding. For a short time she left Bree’s care, a decision that was quickly regretted — and after that chapter closed, she returned home for good.
Since then, she’s been a steady presence, walking faithfully through some of life’s hardest times and carrying a story of return, resilience, and redemption.
​
In the herd, Anya often takes the role of the watcher. While the herd rotates responsibilities, she consistently holds the space with quiet awareness, keeping a steady eye on the bigger picture. It’s a role that suits her — calm, observant, and dependable.
​
With people, Anya brings that same watchfulness. She doesn’t rush in but meets others where they are, often stepping in with a quiet presence when someone is carrying heaviness. She has a way of simply being there, reminding us that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is to hold space and walk alongside one another.
​
Anya’s gift is subtle but powerful: to show that being the steady witness — in the herd and in life — is its own form of strength.
Amara
Quiet Strength
Amara came into Bree’s life in 2017 as part of a trainer’s challenge — a unique opportunity that turned into a lifelong partnership. From the beginning, she stood out. Striking and flashy in her black coat, she carried a quiet strength that drew people in without needing to demand attention.
​
In the herd, Amara is Athena’s closest companion — the two move together like true best friends, often side by side. Where Athena leads, Amara supports, anchoring the herd with her calm steadiness. She rarely stirs conflict, but when boundaries are crossed — as Gemma has learned more than once — Amara can make herself very clear. Her strength isn’t loud or constant, but it’s there, and when she decides to use it, it leaves no question.
​
With people, Amara is sensitive and discerning. She doesn’t tolerate assumptions — if someone walks up to grab at her without asking, she’ll quietly move away. But if you come with softness and respect, she’ll often be one of the first to greet you, gauging where you are and offering her quiet presence. There’s a sweetness in her approach, as if she’s checking in before inviting you closer.
​
Amara’s gift is subtle but powerful. She teaches that strength can be quiet, that sensitivity is not weakness, and that connection is built on respect and invitation rather than demand. She reminds us that leadership can look like stillness, friendship can be a form of strength, and true presence often whispers louder than any shout.
Tavin
The Young Explorer
Tavin was born on June 11, 2022, and from the start he has been the reminder that every herd needs new life and fresh energy. The youngest of the Crossroads herd, he carries the role of explorer — curious, playful, and unafraid to test the edges of what’s possible.
​
He didn’t begin life on the track, but stepping into that environment changed him. With freedom to move, interact, and learn from the older horses, Tavin has grown stronger and more balanced, both physically and mentally. The track system gave him space to stretch into his body and his place in the herd — a living example of how the right environment can shape not just health, but character.
​
In the herd, Tavin is the spark. He pushes boundaries, stirs play, and keeps the others engaged. He learns steadiness from Athena’s leadership, presence from Anya’s watchfulness, grounding from Amara’s quiet strength, and clarity from Gemma’s testing nature. Every day, he is shaped by the wisdom of those around him — and every day, he challenges them in return.
​
With people, Tavin teaches the value of process. His youth makes him bold and sometimes awkward, but his willingness to try again reveals resilience at its core. He shows that growth isn’t linear, mistakes are part of learning, and curiosity is the key to discovery.
​
Tavin’s story is still being written, but even now, he embodies the spirit of possibility within Crossroads Connection. He is the reminder that every beginning matters, that growth comes step by step, and that joy and play are as much a part of learning as discipline and structure.
Gemma
The Challenger
Gemma came to Crossroads in 2023 through her owner, Gloria, who was searching for help with a mare who seemed to be spiraling. At the time, Gemma was struggling with confidence, bolting tendencies, and health concerns that pointed toward metabolic challenges like borderline Cushing’s and insulin resistance. She was living in a small paddock, heavily supplemented, and fighting to find her balance.
​
With the shift to the track system, Gemma began to change. The freedom to move, graze, and engage with the herd transformed both her body and her mind. What was once a nervous, reactive horse slowly began to soften into a partner who could think, process, and respond with clarity. Her story has become one of the most visible examples of how environment, herd, and intentional care can completely reshape a horse’s life.
​
In the herd, Gemma takes on the role of challenger. She is bold, persistent, and unafraid to push limits — whether with fences, systems, or other horses. That energy can be testing at times, but it also keeps everyone honest. When guided well, her challenges bring out strength and clarity in others, both horses and humans alike.
​
With people, Gemma offers some of the most powerful lessons in boundaries and confidence. She reflects back how we show up: if we are uncertain, she pushes; if we are steady, she respects. Working with her teaches that clarity is kindness and that holding boundaries is an act of leadership, not force.
​
Gemma is a living reminder that growth often begins in the places we feel most tested. She teaches that challenge isn’t something to fear — it’s an invitation to step into strength, stand clear in who we are, and trust the process of transformation.
Ajax
The Bold Pretender
Ajax came to Crossroads in August 2025, arriving alongside Georgie in one of those perfectly timed blessings. A seven-year-old jet-black gelding, he was bred for the show ring but grew too tall for that career. By six months old, he’d landed in a petting zoo at Woodside — a role that gave him confidence around people and taught him to carry himself with presence.
​
Now, Ajax is stepping into a new chapter. He isn’t in with the main herd yet, but he certainly acts like he belongs at the center of it. Loud and expressive, he neighs if he loses sight of the big horses. Playful and restless, he runs hard, always moving, always testing. Already he’s squaring off with Tavin through the fence, proving he’s ready to contend for “boss man” energy despite his smaller size.
​
With Georgie, the roles flip. Georgie may be the shy one, but he knows how to keep Ajax in check when it matters. Together they balance each other — Ajax pulling Georgie into more play, Georgie grounding Ajax when he pushes too far.
​
With Jamie, Ajax is bold yet steady, matching her energy and teaching her patience. He takes the tangles of her beginner rope skills in stride and meets her confidence with his own. And through watching them together, it’s clear he has more to offer than just being Jamie’s partner. He’s already showing the kind of lessons he’ll carry for others — about boldness, boundaries, play, and persistence.
​
Ajax may be small, but he thinks and moves like he’s ten feet tall. His lesson is simple but powerful: leadership isn’t about size, it’s about spirit — and about daring to step forward even before the world sees you as ready.
Georgie
The Gentle Rebuilder
Georgie arrived at Crossroads in August 2025 alongside Ajax, a flaxen chestnut gelding with a soft eye and a shy spirit. At eleven years old, he carried a history that shaped him deeply: a past cart accident left him sensitive and touchy, especially with harness work. That experience made him hesitant, but underneath the nerves is a sweet and willing heart just waiting for the chance to trust again.
​
Where Ajax bursts forward with energy, Georgie hangs back, quiet and reserved. Yet, despite his shyness, he has no trouble keeping Ajax in check when boundaries need to be drawn. Their partnership is a balance — Ajax brings play and boldness, while Georgie brings grounding and gentle authority.
​
Georgie isn’t quite ready to step into work with kids or clients just yet. Instead, he’s a project for Bree and Gloria, slowly rebuilding his confidence step by step. Every small win — a touch accepted, a lead taken without hesitation, a moment of calm where fear once lived — is proof of his resilience and reminder that healing takes time.
​
With people, Georgie teaches the quiet lessons: patience, gentleness, and the power of moving at the pace of trust. He shows that bravery doesn’t always look loud; sometimes it’s as simple as taking one more step than you could yesterday.
​
Georgie carries the promise of second chances. His story is still unfolding, but even now he reminds us that healing is possible, that gentleness has strength, and that sometimes the shyest ones have the most to teach.
