The Heart of Chatham Hall’s Riding Program: Passion and Commitment

A love of horses and extensive experience in boarding schools is part of how Ally Doyon made her way to Chatham Hall. Ally shares, “I have always worked in boarding schools, and I’ve always had horses as part of my life. I never really thought I could put the two of them together until I started working at The Fountain Valley School of Colorado, which has a thriving riding program.” Ally began teaching history at The Fountain Valley School, where she worked alongside the admission team. As a passion project, she also began teaching lessons. Her love of the sport and a deeper immersion in the world of boarding schools eventually landed her as the Assistant Director of Riding.

In 2016, Ally and her husband Josh, Chatham Hall’s Dean of Students, moved to Massachusetts for his job. With a toddler and another on the way, All paused her career but soon missed horses. She found a local barn and started a business training horses and riders. In 2021, Ally applied to Chatham Hall’s Director of Riding position, loved the school, and was hired in early 2022. She is now in her third year of building the Riding program and feels more at home and comfortable than ever. “It feels like I’ve always been here,” she says with a smile. She has grown to love the program even more, learning the rich history of the program, what it means to alumnae and past families, and all that it brings to every girl who comes to Chatham Hall.

As the program continues to grow, Ally explains, “We want every student to get on a horse before they leave here. We want them to know that this is an inclusive space. This is for the whole school.” Chatham Hall Riding is for everyone in the community and offers higher-level riding. She contends, “We can give these girls amazing opportunities, like internships with local vets, going on the big cowgirl trip to New Mexico, finding awesome opportunities, and taking them to Ocala.” She continues, “We are giving them chances they wouldn’t necessarily have if they weren’t coming to Chatham Hall.”

With big plans for the facilities, Ally notes, “[We want to get our name out in the industry so that people know that we are top-notch. This is a place that you want to use for your own clinics and events.” There are plans for another outdoor arena and invitations for larger horse shows and more clinics. With growing capacity, Chatham Hall doesn’t just want to get bigger. The goal is to substantiate an already excellent historical program and maintain quality programming. Initially opened in 1998, Mars Arena was recently renovated with new knee walls and premium TravelBrite footing. The improved footing reduces soft tissue injuries in horses and provides riders a softer, healthier surface.

Thanks to the efforts of parents, faculty, and staff, the barn classroom was recently renovated to serve the Riding Program better. The renovations included new cabinetry, seating, appliances, decor, and bathroom and kitchen upgrades. This gives students a comfortable space to be and learn at the barn. On unmounted days, riders can take part in horsemanship classes or the Equine Ethics course, in which any student is welcome.

Ally shares, “We really try to utilize all the spaces that we have so that we’re not teaching such large groups and so that the students get more individualized attention.” 

She humbly says, “I love the support the program has, both from alumnae, the board, the students, and parents.” She continues, “I love my students. It’s fun to see even those kids that have never ridden before go from scared or nervous and only able to walk to canter or be on the IEA team.”

Ally’s passion and love for the program, the girls, and what’s to come are palatable. She shines positivity as she marks their progress and what’s down the road: “We know, we’re not always going to win, but we’re always going to do our best, and we’re always going to be positive about it.” And this is precisely what is happening with Chatham Hall Riding: it is becoming its best self!

Originally published in the Fall 2024 Chat. Read more here.