Equestrian Programs

Individual Lessons

The Karen Stives '68 Equestrian Center staff makes a concerted effort to accommodate each student's lesson requirements so that riding may be incorporated into even the busiest schedules. Students will be placed into lesson time slots of 45 minutes for private and semi-private lessons, while group lessons meet for at least 1 hour. Our staff ensure that students' schedules are manageable, so often Upper School students will ride during a free period or during a study hall.

Physical Education Credit

Students may elect to take riding for physical education credit that involves at least two lessons. Middle school students ride on Tuesday and Thursday along with a comprehensive lecture series on Wednesdays.

Lesson Options and Fees

Equestrian lessons are not included in Dana Hall's tuition. 

OPTION I: HORSEMANSHIP 101

• One lesson a week, per trimester ($800)
• Two lessons a week, per trimester, students may choose to receive Physical Education credit ($1,600)

This option is a prerequisite for students who are learning how to groom and tack their horses. Students receive individual, undivided attention from one of KSEC’s instructors not only during their riding lesson, but in the stables before and after their lesson. Students will be able to expand their horsemanship knowledge while both riding and interacting with horses on the ground. 

OPTION II: EQUESTRIAN FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT

• Two lessons a week and horsemanship assignments, per trimester, ($1,350)

OPTION III: EQUESTRIAN FOR NON-CREDIT

• One lesson a week, per trimester ($750)

OPTION IV: COMPREHENSIVE EQUESTRIAN

• Three lessons a week and horsemanship assignments, per trimester, ($1,800)

Riders can compete in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association or the Athletic Equestrian League as a member of the Dana Hall Equestrian Team. Riders do not need their own horse to compete in the IEA or AEL. The team competes throughout the year at the varsity level. Riders accumulate points both individually and as a team toward a national competition held in the spring.

Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)

Dana Hall's 30-member interscholastic equestrian team competes throughout the year with other schools at the varsity, junior varsity and middle school level. IEA is open to grades 5-12. Riders accumulate points both individually and as a team towards a national competition held in the spring.

Dana Hall has a strong presence in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Zone I, with many team members qualifying to participate in the Zone and National Finals each year. Dana Hall is proud to be the home of the 2008 and 2011 National Champion Middle School Team. 

IEA Website

Athletic Equestrian League (AEL)

Dana Hall's AEL team competes locally at competitions in which their primary focus is horsemanship. Students that participate in AEL will attend a horsemanship workshop on Wednesday evenings at KSEC. Open to grades 1-12, the AEL structure is similar to IEA where the rider does not know the horse she will compete with before the competition day. AEL team members will have the chance to review their flat pattern and jump course before the competition date so they have time to practice at home. On the competition day, students will complete their flat pattern and jumping course as well as a horsemanship exam. Exam difficulty depends on the level in which the rider competes. The overall score from these three phases is combined to determine a rider's placement at the end of the day. Dana Hall's AEL team participated at National Finals in Springfield, MA in 2019.  

AEL Website

Intramural Polo Club

Our Intramural Polo Club provides students with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the sport under the guidance of an accomplished Polo professional. Once a week, our riders are matched with veteran Polo ponies and enjoy practices at home as well as the occasional off-property scrimmage.

An extensive horse show program is offered for riders interested in showing their horses at the local and "A" rated shows on the East Coast and the Winter Equestrian Festival Florida circuit.

The Karen Stives '68 Equestrian Center is represented regularly with riders qualifying and showing at regional and national finals, including the prestigious fall indoor horse shows.

If you have questions or would like to sign up for a show, please contact Sarah Summers (sarah.summers@danahall.org) or Carly Corbacho (carly.corbacho@danahall.org). 

Daily Routine

Each day, interns are given activities that are involved with the daily operations of an equine facility. This may include assisting barn staff with equine health care, grooming school horses (clipping, pulling the mane, trimming whiskers, etc.), afternoon hay and feed, barn maintenance, as well as possible opportunities to assist with the veterinarian, farrier, dentist and massage therapist.

Help New Students

Interns also help new students and beginner riders learn to tack up, untack and groom their horses properly. These activities are taught and explained first before an intern will be expected to lead them independently.

Monthly Schedule

Each month, interns design a schedule of work days with a minimum of 30 hours per trimester in total.

Applying to the Program

Students must apply to the program and be accepted and approved before joining.