Our Founder

Noel Hansen was a devoted dressage enthusiast involved with the Tucson Dressage Club. She had a love of horses and a heart for helping people.

In August of 1998, Noel formed An Oasis School of Horsemanship, from a desire to benefit the development of all youth interested in equestrian sports, regardless of their economic ability. She helped many people learn the joys of horsemanship with her loving manner and knowledge of horses.

Noel was diagnosed with lung cancer in late 2000. She worked and tried to ignore the pain as long as she could. Before her death in December 2001, Noel asked that the non-profit continue to help people. To honor Noel, the organization's name was changed from a riding school to a charity organization providing scholarships for instruction in horsemanship to the young at heart with a love of horses.