Instructors

lily ROGERS, Instructor

With her diverse experience and personalized approach, Lily is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of riding and equestrianism in every student she teaches.

Lily is a passionate and skilled horseback riding instructor with a lifelong connection to horses. Having been immersed in the equestrian world since childhood, Lily has developed a deep understanding of both riders and horses, which she brings to every lesson.

Specializing in teaching beginner to intermediate riders, Lily provides a supportive and encouraging environment for students to build confidence and skills in the saddle. Her expertise spans a variety of disciplines, including show jumping, western riding, barrel work, and groundwork. Additionally, she offers lessons focused on groundwork techniques and fostering meaningful horse-human connections, recognizing the importance of trust and communication in successful riding and brideless riding.

Lily’s teaching philosophy is centered on adaptability. She tailors each lesson to the unique needs and goals of her riders, ensuring that every session is engaging and productive. Whether working on refining riding techniques, developing a better bond with the horse, or exploring new equestrian challenges, Lily is committed to helping her students grow and thrive.

With her diverse experience and personalized approach, Lily is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of riding and equestrianism in every student she teaches.

As part of our riding program, you will also learn:

  • The basics of English or Western riding
  • Riding with proper posture to maintain good balance and rhythm
  • Horse handling safety
  • Horsemanship basics including how to safely move a horse on the ground
  • Proper grooming, tacking and leading a horse
  • Cue system
  • English riding or Western or Trail riding techniques for a safer trail ride including negotiating trail obstacles and trail etiquette
  • Basic steering exercises at the walk, trot and lope as appropriate, as well as whoa and reverse
  • How the horse “thinks” in preparation for handling and riding the horse safely

Monika Parrish, ARIA Certified Riding Instructor, English and Western Riding, Horsemanship 

I am grateful to God for the gift of horses and the talent he has given me to connect with them; I can’t imagine my life without horses. What began with the simple joy of riding soon unfolded into a lifelong journey of breeding, foaling, training, and becoming a certified trainer. Horses have carried me through many interesting riding disciplines and to incredible places with very special friends and family. From across the Southeast and beyond, from Alabama, Tennessee to Myrtle Beach in the Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Ireland. Each experience has deepened my appreciation for these magnificent animals, reminding me that they are one of God’s most beautiful creations, placed in our lives to inspire, teach, and bring joy.

I am excited to share my 20+ years riding experience gained through: 

  • Certified Riding Instructor by the American Riding Instructor’s Association (ARIA)
  • Teaching Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced English and Western, Bridleless Riding Lessons, and Trail Lessons
  • Hunter jumper and western pleasure horse shows, mounted shooting, vaulting, driving, hunter paces, fox hunts, eventing, cross country, vaulting, side saddle, trail riding, cow work, roping, rodeos, cutting, colt starting, horse training, and breeding
  • Rhinestone Rodeo Chics Drill Team
  • American Vaulting Association
  • Mounted Strike Team of the North Georgia Mounted Search and Rescue Organization