About Dawn-Mar Ranch

Dawn-Mar Ranch was established in 1960 by Marcia Evans (shown above). It has grown from a lesson barn to a home of three foundations Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics, Easy Riders 4-H, and Changing Lives Equine Center, Inc..

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Changing Lives Equine Center, Inc. is a new non-profit initiated by Marcia Evans. Their mission statement is to help people with or without life challenges and/or disabilities gain confidence, find acceptance and experience the joys of life through the love, care and riding of retired and rescued horses; and to provide nourishment and humane care for aged, retired, and rescued horses. All of the horses at Dawn-mar ranch are a part of this non-profit. Without them, Dawn-Mar Ranch would be unable to maintain Easy-Riders 4-H, and the Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics.  If you wish to donate to the Changing Lives Equine Center inc. non-profit, please click the button below and it will send you to our donation page. 

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Easy Riders 4-H was established in 1970 by Marcia Evans. Following the 4-H principles, she provided an environment for children to learn not only equine skills, but to be able to grow and socialize. Her group has been the beginning of many good friendships. The children who lease horses from Marcia work with their project animals, learn to care for them, as well as volunteer in other programs that are run through Dawn-Mar Ranch. 

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Marcia founded the Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics Program in 1989, giving an opportunity for equine athletes in the New Hampshire area to compete in Special Olympics. Due to her dedication, many athletes have been granted the opportunity to  experience the camaraderie and competition that is the foundation of Special Olympics. Her inspiration for founding Merrimack Valley Equestrian is her brother George Evans; who has competed in equine sports for 30 years. Marcia was the coach of the Special Olympics New Hampshire Team who competed in the Special Olympics World Games in 1995. With the  assistance of her students, Marcia was able to introduce carriage driving to the Special Olympics program for the world.