KSEC Staff

Sarah Summers, Director

Sarah grew up in Southeast Asia and began her riding career at Arthayasa Stables in Indonesia. While a boarding student at the Dana Hall School, she became a student of Cookie DeSimone's. She continued her education at Tufts University and captained the Tufts Equestrian Team her junior and senior years. After graduation, Sarah returned to Dana Hall as an instructor and member of the barn staff and subsequently was promoted to Director of The Karen Stives '68 Equestrian Center. In addition to teaching and coaching the Dana Hall Equestrian Team, she also coaches Dana Hall riders at their horse shows.

Email: sarah.summers@danahall.org

Candice King, Instructor

Candice King has had a long and distinguished career in the show jumping world, having represented the United States on several Nations Cup and Super League Teams. In 2001, she was the top-placing American rider at the World Cup Final aboard John E.M., and she became the first American in 30 years to win the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. In addition to almost two decades of success in the ring, Candice has dedicated herself to teaching both horse and rider. Candice strives to impart to her students the importance of proper horsemanship and that success comes with dedication, work and lots of patience. Candice has served as a member of the USHJA Trainers Certification Program Committee and was one of the first to become a Certified Trainer, she is currently on the distinguished list of TCP Approved Clinicians.   

Email: candice.king@danahall.org

Carly Corbacho, Instructor

Carly grew up in Wellesley, down the street from Dana Hall and has been riding at Dana since she was 7 years old. Carly was a member of the Dana Hall Interscholastic team for 7 years and also competed across the east coast on her own horses. She graduated from Boston University's Questrom School of Business in 2015 with a degree in Marketing and Information Systems. At Boston University Carly captained the equestrian team her junior and senior year. Carly has been working full time as a coach at Dana Hall since she graduated in June 2015, and she also is a coach of the IEA team.

Email: carly.corbacho@danahall.org

Jennifer Burke '07, Instructor

Jen grew up riding at Dana Hall and graduated in 2007. During her time at Dana, Jen was an avid horsewoman, competing in the 3’6” Equitation and the Junior Jumpers. Some of her most notable junior riding moments include placing 6th at HBO Finals, making the top 25 at USEF Medal Finals and qualifying for Maclay Nationals and USET Medal Finals each year. She has extensive experience in both the IEA and the IHSA with a second place finish in the 2005 IEA National Leading Rider Varsity Open Championship and winning her IHSA region’s Cacchione Cup. Jen is very excited to be back at Dana Hall teaching and riding.

Email: jennifer.burke@danahall.org

Greg Best, Instructor

Beginning in May 2017, Olympic show jumping veteran Greg Best will begin as a full-time trainer. Best is most well known for his partnership with the gray American Thoroughbred show jumper Gem Twist. Together the duo earned individual and team silver medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and placed fourth at the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm. Although he resides in New Zealand, Best spent much of his time traveling and teaching clinics all over the world until he, in 2016, became the head trainer at Dana Hall School. Today Best comes to Dana Hall in the summer for his Summer Training Academy camps.

Email: greg.best@danahall.org

Cookie DeSimone, Instructor

One of the the most respected horsewomen in New England, Christine "Cookie" DeSimone's love of horses began as a child when she would trek each day to see the horses at Dana Hall. Cookie has taught riding at Dana for the past 35 years, including two IEA National Team Championships. Cookie has produced countless champions in the hunter, jumper and equitation divisions over her career. Her juniors have qualified for the Medal, Maclay and USET finals, as well as the NAYRC-North American Young Riders Championships. Along with Greg Prince she is also the head trainer and co-owner of Woodridge Farm, as well as a co-chairwoman of the New England Equitation Committee.

Email: Cookieandfrank@aol.com

Barn Manager - Paula O'Gassian