Q&A Series · Part 1
Jeremy Svejcar: Charlie Five Founder; Army (2000–2010)
I found hope and opportunity ahead of me, no longer feeling the need to hide in the shadows.
You and the horse both improve.
That intensity, once associated with danger, loss, and trauma, can now lead to achievement.
— Jeremy Svejcar
H&R: What does post-traumatic growth look like in your life today?
JS: With Charlie Five, I dress in a starched shirt, jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat to fulfill the mission. I travel the country, awkwardly introducing myself to rooms full of people. I push through the discomfort because the mission is important. Then I return home to decompress and reflect on it all.
There was a time when being a father seemed impossible. Today, being a husband and a father defines a significant part of who I am. I strive to live fully and be present in a life I once thought was beyond my reach.
Photo: Svejcar sees being a dad to his daughter Lettie, dressed as Belle, as evidence of his growth through horsemanship. | courtesy Charlie Five
About the organization
Charlie Five
Charlie Five is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded and run by Jeremy Svejcar and his wife, Rose. It provides opportunities for qualified military veterans and first responders who need a horse to advance in the Western performance horse world. Since its establishment in 2016, Charlie Five has bridged the gap for individuals who benefit from horsemanship programs but lack a next step. With its motto, “Earned. Not Given,” Charlie Five matches warriors with horses that can propel them into the industry’s most competitive arenas.
“We hold high expectations for the veterans and first responders joining Charlie Five because the horse has no say in the matter. Our primary responsibility is to the horse. When we pair a horse with an individual, that person takes on the responsibility for another living being. The participant must be willing to learn, prepare, show up, seek assistance, put in the effort, and provide the care the horse deserves. We can offer support, guidance, and opportunities, but we cannot do the work for them. This responsibility is part of the growth process.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Veterans can press 1 after dialing 988 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Next in the series
Earned. Not Given: Bill Norman
Meet Bill Norman, a military veteran supported by Charlie Five, who will be riding in an exhibition featuring War Horses for Veterans at the 2026 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.
sentence: The cat is sleeping peacefully on the windowsill.