Summer Equestrian Training Academy
The Dana Hall School Summer Equestrian Training Academy aims to produce the strongest and most knowledgeable community of riders. Our training focuses on horsemanship instead of showmanship, working to better connect riders with their horses.
We will conduct individually tailored lessons and detailed discussions on topics including horse care, riding theory, nutrition, course design, sports psychology, and equine biomechanics. Our training techniques help riders better understand what motivates their horses; our techniques also enable the horses to perform to the best of their abilities no matter their competitive discipline. The goal is to teach the students to be the best horsewomen they can be, and in the process of doing that, produce very competitive riders and role models.
Both Hardcore and Intermediate Training Academies will feature week-long intensive clinics with notable professional horseman. Past clinicians include Olympians Greg Best and Bobby Costello, as well as Pan Am Games winner Will Faudree.
Grooming 101 Bootcamp
Dates: April 18–21, 2026
Hosts: Carly Corbacho and Nicole Lindquist (15+ years professional grooming experience)
Location: Dana Hall School
Cost: $500
Over the course of a focused long-weekend, riders will immerse themselves in the full spectrum of responsibilities required of a professional show groom. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in daily horse management, including feeding routines, stall care, grooming techniques, and post-ride aftercare. Skill-building sessions will cover essential show-ring preparations such as medications and their purposes, supplements, braiding, clipping, tack cleaning, and lunge-line work and methods, as well as foundational health care practices like bandaging, recognizing early signs of injury or illness, and applying basic first aid.
On the final day, riders will complete a practical assessment where they can demonstrate their mastery of the techniques learned throughout the program. Outstanding participants may be selected for the opportunity to groom at an upcoming horse show, gaining real-world experience and a valuable step toward a future in professional equine care.
Behind the Judge’s Booth: A Clinic on Judging
Open to Parents and Students
Dates: May 23–25, 2026
Hosts: Sarah Summers, Carly Corbacho and USEF “R” Judge James Morris
Location: Dana Hall School
Cost: $300
This clinic offers parents and students a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at how judging truly works at horse shows, with a special emphasis on the differences between USEF-rated competitions and IEA/AEL formats. Led by James, Sarah, and Carly, the program breaks down the fundamentals of scoring across hunter, equitation, and jumper divisions, highlighting what judges evaluate in both the rider and the horse.
Each day, students will participate in mounted exercises designed to replicate real show-ring scenarios. Their rides will be scored in real time, followed by guided group discussions where the clinicians explain why certain choices earn higher marks, how penalties are applied, and what differentiates a competitive round from an average one. Riders will have the opportunity to examine actual judge’s cards, review score sheets, and learn how these tools are used to structure final placings.
Video examples and live demonstrations will further reinforce key concepts, giving participants the chance to practice judging themselves and apply the criteria they’ve learned. Parents are encouraged to join these sessions to better understand the standards and scoring systems their riders are evaluated against.
By the end of the clinic, participants will gain a clearer sense of how to ride—and strategize—from the judge’s perspective.
Intermediate Training Academy – Week I
Dates: June 8–12, 2026
Clinician: TBA
Location: Dana Hall School
Cost: $1,500
Open to riders from Short Stirrup through 3’, this weeklong program is designed to strengthen skills both in the saddle and in the barn. Each participant will ride once daily with a clinician, working on position, effectiveness, and confidence-building exercises tailored to their individual level. Alongside mounted instruction, riders will take part in in-depth horsemanship lessons and discussions aimed at expanding their knowledge of horse care and overall management.
Horsemanship topics include equine anatomy, trailer loading and safety, basic first aid, wrapping and aftercare, feeding and supplements, sports psychology, tack types and their purposes, as well as practical barn skills that build independence and competence. These sessions are structured to help riders understand not just how to care for their horses, but why each element of care matters.
Throughout the week, the curriculum focuses on developing well-rounded riders—individuals who ride with skill, think critically, and appreciate the responsibility and teamwork that define true horsemanship. Participants emerge with improved technical ability, greater confidence, and a deeper, more comprehensive foundation in horse care.
Hardcore Bootcamp – Week I
Dates: June 22–28, 2026
Clinician: Will Faudree
Location: Hoffman, North Carolina
Cost: $4,000
We are excited to offer this special opportunity for advanced riders competing at 3' and above. Participants will travel to Southern Pines, NC, to train at the home farm of world-renowned event rider Will Faudree. As many of you know, Faudree is an internationally recognized 4-star eventer who grew up riding under Olympic legend Phillip Dutton and now trains with Bobby Costello, Chef d’Équipe of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team and a dear friend of Karen Stives ’68. His impressive career includes a team gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, participation in the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, and serving as reserve rider for both the 2004 and 2012 Olympic Games. Will has served as our Advanced Hardcore Bootcamp instructor for the past three years, and he is thrilled to welcome Dana Hall riders to his home base. His training emphasizes introducing new concepts, developing thoughtful and effective riders, and building mental resilience both inside and outside the ring.
Under the guidance and supervision of Sarah Summers and Carly Corbacho, riders will be fully responsible for daily horse care—stalls, turnout, lunging, wrapping, feeding, and more. After completing morning chores and preparing their horses, riders will hack down the road to Will’s state-of-the-art Gavilan Farm in Hoffman, NC. The 175-acre property includes a cross-country field, one of the only few uphill gallop tracks in the United States, a 150' x 250' indoor arena with mirrors and fans, two outdoor arenas (one all-weather, one grass), and access to 100 miles of trails throughout North Carolina. Training sessions will introduce riders to cross-training strategies, conditioning programs, and fitness routines to prepare their horses for the upcoming show season.
In addition to mounted instruction, riders will learn from Will and his staff about comprehensive horsemanship—from barn management and nutrition to the behind-the-scenes systems that support an Olympian’s training program. This immersive experience provides an unparalleled look into what it takes to develop top-level performance in both horse and rider.
After this camp, for participants who wish to continue on, horses will travel directly to Traverse City, MI, for two weeks at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.
Please note: Enrollment is limited to 8 horses, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please contact Carly Corbacho.
Hardcore Bootcamp – Week II (Grooming Edition)
Dates: July 20–24, 2026
Horsemanship Clinician: Nicole Lindquist
Riding Clinician: TBA
Location: Dana Hall School
Cost: $2,000
This intensive week is designed to fully prepare riders for the upcoming Vermont Summer Festival through a structured blend of mounted training, fitness conditioning, and targeted horsemanship education. Riders will train twice daily with our coaching staff, focusing on refinement of flatwork, course execution, mental preparation, and the specific skills needed to excel in a multi-week show environment.
In addition to riding, participants will take part in daily gym workouts tailored to equestrians, emphasizing strength, core stability, and mobility to support better balance and endurance in the saddle. Daily meals and snacks will be prepared by an on-site chef, offering riders a practical understanding of sports nutrition and how fueling properly impacts performance.
Comprehensive horsemanship sessions will reinforce essential skills such as grooming, wrapping, braiding, show-day organization, and management of horses competing at a multi-day show. Riders will learn the standards and expectations of professional show care, with hands-on practice throughout the week.
A final-day practicum gives each rider the opportunity to demonstrate their mounted progress and their horsemanship knowledge. Top-performing participants may be invited to groom at the Vermont Summer Festival, gaining invaluable real-world experience behind the scenes at a premier horse show.
This program is designed to build stronger, more capable competitors—both in the ring and in the barn.
Intermediate Training Academy – Week II
Dates: August 11–15, 2026
Clinician: TBA
Location: Dana Hall School
Cost: $1,500
Open to riders from Short Stirrup through 3’, this weeklong program is designed to strengthen skills both in the saddle and in the barn. Each participant will ride once daily with a clinician, working on position, effectiveness, and confidence-building exercises tailored to their individual level. Alongside mounted instruction, riders will take part in in-depth horsemanship lessons and discussions aimed at expanding their knowledge of horse care and overall management.
Horsemanship topics include equine anatomy, trailer loading and safety, basic first aid, wrapping and aftercare, feeding and supplements, sports psychology, tack types and their purposes, as well as practical barn skills that build independence and competence. These sessions are structured to help riders understand not just how to care for their horses, but why each element of care matters.
Throughout the week, the curriculum focuses on developing well-rounded riders—individuals who ride with skill, think critically, and appreciate the responsibility and teamwork that define true horsemanship. Participants emerge with improved technical ability, greater confidence, and a deeper, more comprehensive foundation in horse care.
A deposit of $500 for the training academies and $100 for the grooming and judges clinics are required to hold a spot. Final payment is due April 1.