04/10/2026
We’re excited to continue growing our team here at JLS Mission Equine and introduce (or reintroduce!) the amazing instructors who make our program what it is 💙🐴
Meg Flaherty – Instructor
Meg is one of those riders who has truly grown up in the saddle. At just 18, graduating this year from Lakeview High School in Litchfield, CT, she has been riding since the age of three and already brings years of experience to her students.
Meg owns four horses of her own (with another young one she’s excited to start this year!) and has spent the last five years teaching riders of all ages, especially connecting with teens and younger students. Her calm, encouraging, “big sister” approach makes her incredibly relatable and supportive in the ring.
She has experience across multiple disciplines including hunters, dressage, eventing, Western pleasure, and in-hand work, and has worked with everything from push-button lesson horses to starting young, green horses under saddle. Meg has a real passion for developing young horses and helping riders build confidence the right way from the ground up.
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Lauren Schultz – Instructor (New to Our Team!)
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Lauren as she joins the JLS team!
Lauren is the definition of a “girl next door” horsewomen, down to earth, hardworking, and someone you instantly feel comfortable learning from. She started riding at age 7 in the hunter/jumper world and grew up competing locally before expanding into eventing and barrel racing.
Her journey with her pony Emmy helped shape her early career, and in 2020 she purchased Riker, who brought her into more competitive levels of eventing and jumpers (up to 3’6”–3’9”), while also developing on the barrel pattern.
After navigating some soundness challenges with Riker last year, Lauren shifted her focus fully to barrel racing…and had an incredible season, consistently placing in the 1D and 2D divisions and qualifying for and competing at the World Championships in Georgia in 2025.
She is also a certified horse hauler and runs her own hauling business, bringing a strong understanding of horse safety and care both on and off the farm.
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And as always… Ms. Jenn 💙
Behind it all, Ms. Jenn is here to guide, mentor, and support every rider, every instructor, and every horse that comes through our program.
Jenn is a CHA-certified riding instructor, show judge, and lifelong horsewoman who has ridden and competed from local schooling shows all the way up through rated circuits. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology and Animal Behavior.
Before even entering the military, Jenn was already teaching beginner lessons and working as a veterinary technician to support her horse passion. She enlisted at 17 and went on to serve 27 years on active duty in the Connecticut Army National Guard, all while staying as connected to the horse world as possible.
After retiring in 2020, she jumped right back in—leasing, teaching, continuing her education in horsemanship, and growing what would become JLS Mission Equine (est. 2018) and later founding Operation Hold Your Horses Rescue in 2023.
Around here, Jenn is “the barn mom”, mentoring not just riders, but instructors too. Our program is built on strong, well-rounded horsemanship, safety, and creating a supportive, family-oriented environment where people can learn, grow, and feel at home.
We are proud to be a small, community-focused barn working to keep horses accessible and affordable in a time where that’s not always easy…while also supporting our rescue efforts and giving back to our community, including our veterans.
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✨ Lessons are open and scheduling now!
You can book with Meg or Lauren, and as always, Ms. Jenn is here every step of the way to support your journey.
Message us to get started—spots will fill quickly!
