Ms. Heckert has a Bachelors Degree in English Education and a Masters in Psychology. She is a licensed PA teacher (6 - 12). She has decades of experience in working with youth of all ages and backgrounds - from mentoring in the juvenile court systems to training national award-winning young equestrians. Ellen has 50 years of experience with horses in several different disciplines. As an accomplished equestrian, Ellen holds her USDF Bronze medal and has several scores toward her USDF Silver medal - constantly attending clinics as part of a professional development program. She believes in classical dressage training and natural horsemanship which are at the root of all disciplines.

Ellen has been studying and teaching classical dressage for 20 years. She has ridden with and studied under Charles DeKunffy, Nico Van Stigt and JJ Tate. Currently, she is training her Friesian cross gelding with the help of Katie Straton (Straton Sporthorses) and Dan Roser (Roser Horsemanship) while attending clinics and participating in Team Tate Academy lessons. Ellen feels strongly that she must model for her students the material that she is teaching.

In addition, Ellen taught college equestrian classes at Wilson College and managed the equestrian center there for 10 years. She previously owned and operated Mahogany Acres Stables in Greencastle, PA. Ellen has also raised two very successful children who are her inspiration. Ellen, with her husband Steve, created King’s View Acres and is responsible for all of the curriculum taught.