Our Featured Adult Rider of the Month is Megan Pegg!
Megan has been riding at Lancers for twenty-seven years. She has a heart of gold and each time we see her (which is usually Friday afternoons), she brings a cheeriness to the barn. Beyond this she embodies a sense of strength and determination that many can only aspire to!
Pony riding at Byfield Farm
Megan was born prematurely and has cerebral palsy. Equine therapy is used to help many children with cerebral palsy develop muscle strength and coordination. Megan has been riding for 29 years, beginning in 1991 at the age of four. Megan started riding on a donkey at the Landymores’ estate in East Lawrencetown. When she started riding she could not sit up on her own and she required assistance from two volunteers to hold her up on her donkey. She continued to be coached by Sallie Murphy at Byfield Farm where she progressed to riding a pony and learned about horseback riding.
Megan came to Lancers in 1993 at the age of six. She came to Lancers because of the Therapeutic Riding Program which was led by Sallie Murphy. Now as an adult rider, she is among a number of long-standing Lancers who have been with us for over two decades. Over the years, Megan and her family have been active in the community, particularly with fundraising and events!
Megan at the 2019 Open House
Riding has changed Megan’s life. With the help of horses and a lot of hard work she has progressed from being held up by two people on a donkey to being able to walk on her own and thrive as an independent adult. “Horses taught me how to walk by being my legs for me and then later teaching me to use my own legs.” Megan has never stopped working to improve her riding and equestrian skills. “Horseback riding provides me with physical, mental, and emotional support, and has given me confidence, both in sport and outside the arena”, she adds, “the love for horses is something I can share with the riding community and with animal lovers everywhere.”
Megan and Scooby
When asked who her favourite horse is, Megan answered: “Each horse at Lancers is very special. Scooby is my favourite horse because he makes me feel calm, centred, have confidence, feel happy, and at home. The connection each rider and horse has is very special”.
One of Megan’s favourite memories from Lancers is of last year’s October Open House when she was one of the therapeutic riders who opened for the Musical Ride. For Megan, it was an important moment because, according to her, “it showed how far I have come from starting on a donkey to leading a ride on a horse”. We’re disappointed that we are unable to host our usual October Open House this year but we hope that Megan can participate in a future Open House!
Megan truly embodies the Lancer spirit. She is always wanting to develop as a horse person and rider, is altruistic and always kind and respectful to the horses, and has a keen sense of citizenship and sportsmanship. We love having Megan as part of our Lancer community and look forward to the next twenty-seven years with her!
