Megan Ellis

Originally from Sarasota, Florida, Megan became interested in therapeutic riding while a student at Wake Forest University. She signed up to volunteer as an inexpensive way to be around horses on student’s budget, but therapeutic horsemanship quickly became a passion for her. Megan graduated from Wake Forest University in 2004 with a B.A. in Religion. She then spent 4 years in the Army as a Patriot Missile officer, and was stationed in El Paso, TX and South Korea. While in El Paso, Megan continued her volunteer work at a local therapeutic riding center. In 2008, she became a student and assistant barn manager at St. Andrews University in North Carolina, graduating with a degree in Therapeutic Horsemanship in 2010. During this time she also ran the college’s Community Lesson Program and taught therapeutic riding lessons. After her graduation, Megan remained at St. Andrews as the Ride-Like-A-Knight Program Director, where she served 117 riders and mentored 20 instructors-in-training. Megan also continues to serve in the National Guard.
Megan is currently a PATH International Advanced Instructor and Mentor. Her teaching philosophy is to create a safe environment that fosters healthy relationships in the horse-rider-volunteer team and promotes horsemanship skills for people of all abilities. Megan truly enjoys bringing the magic of horses into peoples’ lives. Megan is also active in PATH International. She has presented at a regional conference and is a member of the Equine Services for Heroes committee, promoting horsemanship for veterans. She is currently the Volunteer Manager at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. in Old Lyme, CT.
Megan has been riding for 20 years, primarily hunt seat but also western and dressage. In her free time, Megan enjoys trail riding on her Arabian mare, Spirit, hiking with her dogs Roxy and Lina, and practicing yoga.