Just on the outskirts of Blayney, on Hills Lane, equestrian coach Megan Joerg is quietly instructing a horse and rider around a sand arena on a sunny winter’s morning.
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A Level 2 Dressage Coach and Level 2 General Coach, Megan Joerg has been named Equestrian Australia’s coach of the month for June, as well as being awarded the ENSW Community Coach of the year award earlier this year.
She is also a Coach Educator and the Chair of the ENSW Education Committee.
"One of my earliest memories is being hoisted onto the front of a stockman's saddle aboard Tammy to collect the mail. I was three years old and from that moment on I was hooked,” she said.
Ten years later, and a lot of penny-pinching and saving later, Joerg had gathered up enough money not to buy a horse, but to pay for her first six lessons.
“My parents were particularly non-horsey so we were not in a position to buy a horse let alone pay for lessons so I diligently saved my pocket money and at 13 years of age I had enough to pay for lessons at Mr. Proudfoot's Riding Academy,” she said.
On arrival at the academy, Joerg’s mother nearly dragged her back out after witnessing a very ungracious dismount.
“We were watching a group lesson when suddenly one of the ponies bolted with a screaming child on board. She fell at our feet. Mr Proudfoot picked her up and told her to go to see Mrs Proudfoot to get a cup of tea and an Aspro.
“He then turned to me and said, "So do you still want to ride?”
“My mother's face was ashen while I nodded vigorously in the affirmative,” she laughed.
Naturally Joerg progressed through Pony Club and university and after achieving her teaching qualifications headed off to England.
“After gaining my teaching qualification I went to England to the University of Kent.
“I was offered a job in Madrid and lived there for two years. Again I was very lucky and was given the ride on two lovely Andalusian stallions.
“Unfortunately all I wanted to do was jump. I didn't know then what a wonderful opportunity I had wasted,” she said.
After marrying a Swiss and living in Switzerland the Joergs returned to Australia and bought land at Freeman’s Reach.
“We built a house and bought a few horses and after meeting my friend Judy Fasher whilst teaching at Glossodia School, I was introduced to Eventing,” she said.
On the birth of her first child, Joerg left teaching and took up coaching full time.
A coach she may be herself, but Joerg is also a student and is currently having training in dressage, her current competition focus.
“I have been lucky to have had some excellent coaches. Judy Fasher for eventing, George Sanna for showjumping and for the past 16 years I have been studying with Miguel Tavora.
“He has been the greatest influence on my riding and coaching.
“There is still so much to learn.”
Mark Logan
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
