Megan Shea: Compassionate Leadership in Elite Dressage

Written by: Dr. Graham Thompson, MSc, PhD
Reviewed by: Dr. Emily Gilbert, PhD

From a young age, Megan Shea’s life revolved around riding horses. By age 11, Megan was riding at Sunnybrook Stables in the heart of her hometown of Toronto. There, she realized and developed her natural connection with horses.

As Megan puts it, “That connection is so special. How lucky are we as riders? We have something we dedicate our lives to and love so much … many people never find that.”

After learning the basics of English flatwork and eventing, an early coach brought Megan to Deer Ridge Equestrian – a premier dressage facility in Loretto, Ontario. At first, Megan didn’t feel she was particularly skilled at the highly technical demands of dressage, but she worked hard and found her way forward. Training in a discipline that challenged her appealed to her natural work ethic and continual drive for progress.

History

Though she attended school in Guelph, Ontario, Megan found herself spending more time in Wellington, Florida, where opportunities to ride, show and train are more plentiful, especially in winter.

By age 20, she was training with Nicholas Fyffe and David Marcus, and in 2015, she qualified for the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). That year, she earned a ranking of third for Team Canada, among other achievements.

In 2017, with her university degree in hand, Megan relocated to Florida and immersed herself in the world of professional dressage – working, riding, and grooming for several top riders.

Eventually, Megan decided to make the United States her permanent home. In 2018 she was granted a professional athlete’s visa working as a rider and groom for Susie Dutta, who fostered the self-confidence Megan needed to step out of the training arena and into the show ring. Megan went on to work for other leading dressage riders, including international competitors Beatrice Marineau and Belinda Trussell.

By 2019, Megan and K2, her first horse, competed in the CDI medium tour and went on to make their U25 Grand Prix debut. They qualified to represent Canada once again at the Wellington CDIOU25 Nation’s Cup on Team Canada. That same year, she secured a 2nd place finish at the Global Dressage Festival.

Megan’s Stable

Shea acquired her first horse, K2, and they developed together all the way to the Grand Prix level.

The Oldenberg gelding first came to Canada as a six-year-old imported from Germany, originally trained as a hunter. K2’s time in the hunter ring was short-lived, and a 16-year-old Shea put him on a new trajectory. K2 and Megan showed consistent progress and worked their way up from the training circuit to third-level tests and beyond.

A few years ago, K2 retired from competition. After a year in the Florida heat, K2 returned to Canada for cooler days and greener pastures.

Megan began a new partnership with Sir Schiwago, a Bavarian Warmblood gelding imported from Switzerland who gained experience as a Grand Prix horse for the past nine years.

Megan and Sir Schiwago
Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography 2024

The pair have most recently been showing at the Regional Championships in Ocala. On Sir Schiwago, Megan placed 5th in the Grand Prix and qualified as a Wild Card for the US National Finals, held in Kentucky.

Megan’s other ride is named Blueberry Hill, a 2011 Westphalian mare she has trained over the past three years, taking her from the small tour to the Grand Prix.

The Equestrian Life in Sport & Business

Megan is an all-in professional dressage rider, coach, and trainer. From her home away from home in Wellington, Florida, she runs Megan Shea Dressage, a private training facility where she offers comprehensive training at all levels, including Grand Prix.

Located at Bell Tower Farm, Megan works closely with owner and Danish-born international Grand Prix Dressage rider Mikala Münter. Though their businesses are separate, the two rider-trainers enjoy an informal partnership, caring for and coaching each other throughout the season.

Preparing and presenting horses for show is a big part of Megan’s operation. She loves the day-to-day training and problem solving that comes with showing. The simple act of going to shows helps with mental preparedness, organization, and self-assessment.

As she says, “Showing gives you more time to foster a deep connection with your horse.”

Equine Confidence & Rider Success

As a trainer, Megan’s benchmark for success is not the ribbons but finding solutions that make the horse happier.

Megan’s approach to training and performance involves her intuition as a horse person, her feel as a rider, and her observation and analysis to identify what her horse and rider need.

“I say to my riders, if you’re on a full five-days-a-week training program with me, my goal is to get you down to three days a week, or less. As a coach, I feel most successful if the rider can improve their confidence and performance to the point where they can train and enjoy their horse without needing me there all the time.”

Nutrition & Performance

Thanks to ongoing support from Mad Barn and their team of nutrition experts and veterinarians, Shea knows her horses are getting the nutrition they need.

One tool Shea relies on is the nutritional analysis from Mad Barn’s Equine Nutrition Calculator. By providing online access to advice and analysis, Mad Barn helps owners and trainers like Megan identify nutritional deficiencies in their horse’s diet and to formulate a feeding program to better meet their needs.

For over ten years, Megan has consulted Mad Barn to help deliver the best nutrition to her horses and provide information she trusts to the other horses under her care.

Megan is grateful knowing her horses are in expert hands. “I definitely lean on Mad Barn to ensure all of the horses at my facility are getting everything they need through diet analysis and the supplements that they provide,” she reflects.

Leadership in the Ring

No matter what the future holds, Megan Shea remains steadfast in her belief that equestrian sport must always prioritize the horse as an athlete. As she thoughtfully observes, “Not every horse is meant to be a Grand Prix horse, but every horse can be happy in their work.”

With riders and coaches like Megan Shea leading the way, the equestrian world is moving toward a brighter future. By placing horse welfare at the forefront of her approach, she is shaping confident, well-adjusted equine partners and fostering a culture of empathy and understanding within the sport.

Her leadership represents a shift towards a more inclusive and horse-centered approach to riding. By advocating for the well being of horses, she not only enhances their quality of life but also strengthens the sport’s social license to operate, ensuring its sustainability for generations to come.