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Multidimensional Success

Multidimensional Success
Dani Corkill, Riding Instructor & Special Programs Coordinator

According to Oxford Languages, success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. In the equestrian world, success is often viewed through a highly individual lens. At Dana Hall School, we take a different approach. With approximately 35 student-athletes participating on our Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team and approximately 30 student-athletes participating on our Athletic Equestrian League (AEL) team, ranging from beginner riders to seasoned competitors, we seek to produce successful riders who are meaningfully engaged in our community and support one another in their growth.

One of the most distinctive aspects of our equestrian program is the comprehensive and inclusive, community-driven experience we provide. Unlike many lesson barns, we do not run a community program. This allows us to dedicate our full time and energy to our Dana Hall students, tailoring their riding experiences to meet their specific goals through ongoing communication and personalized support. With five full-time and several part-time instructors from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, we bring a wealth of expertise to meet the learning and competitive needs of our diverse student body.

At the Karen Stives '68 Equestrian Center (KSEC), our state-of-the-art on-campus facility, we invite students to explore the world of horses through a range of experiences. Horseback riding is integrated into the School's physical education program, enabling students of all skill levels to earn school credit while riding. Our internship program immerses students in hands-on learning with our expert staff, equipping them with valuable horse care and barn management skills. We also partner with the BINA Farm Center to host therapeutic riding sessions twice a week, and many of our students volunteer and participate in this meaningful community service opportunity.

Our two competitive teams, the AEL Team, which emphasizes horsemanship, and the IEA Varsity Team, which reflects a more traditional competition format, have both earned national recognition. More recently, our AEL team was named National Champion in 2023 and Reserve National Champion in 2024, when we hosted this prestigious event at Dana Hall School. In 2024, our middle and upper school IEA teams dominated Region 6 Finals with two team wins and numerous individual wins. In addition, our students have opportunities to compete in a variety of horse shows, from local one-day events to the acclaimed Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, and everything in between.

Although we focus on hunt seat equitation, we emphasize that strong flatwork is the foundation for jumping. Lessons at all levels incorporate lateral work to enhance proficiency over fences. For students seeking more intense training, we offer three “Boot Camps” during the summer, featuring nationally and internationally recognized clinicians (including, at times, an Olympic Chef d’Equipe). For younger riders, we provide a more relaxed, day camp-style summer horsemanship program.

At Dana Hall School’s KSEC, we recognize that success is multidimensional. Whether a student is learning to post the trot, winning New England Horsemanship Council Equitation Finals, or mastering how to pack a hoof to draw out an abscess, we as a community celebrate every milestone along each student’s journey. Here, riding transcends the notion of an individual sport—our strength lies in our community, and that is our greatest success.