Summer Riding Camp features several individual week-long residential programs offered for riders aged 10-16.
This program is designed to challenge all levels of riders, including advanced riders, with a variety of lesson groups and horses available. All campers must be comfortable independently walking, trotting, and cantering and should be riding regularly ahead of attending camp.
Riders participate in two lessons a day with Chatham Hall’s full-time faculty. Lessons vary in size, but are typically groups of four, allowing for focused instruction and learning. Additionally, campers will receive a private lesson where they are able to work one-on-one with an instructor on individual goals. Chatham Hall is home to 30 horses that reside on campus all year so they are well-schooled and -educated teachers for the campers.
When campers are not riding, they enjoy several horsemanship activities and equine lessons offered on a large variety of topics including confirmation, equine first aid, nutrition, stable management, and bits and equipment. We also incorporate some fun in our down time such as painting horse shoes, designing and decorating toy jumps, and making stick horses!
During their stay at Chatham Hall, campers reside in air-conditioned dorms supervised by an adult faculty member and high school- or college-aged counselors. In the evenings, campers are able to participate in fun camp games and activities, including tie dying, s’mores making, playing games, water balloon fun, and bingo. The fee for a Summer Riding session is $2,200.
Ally Doyon joined the Chatham Hall Riding Program in 2022. She came to the School from New Hampshire where she ran her own training business, AMD Equestrian. She was previously the assistant to the riding director and an IEA coach at the Fountain Valley School of Colorado. Ally rode at the collegiate level as a member of the Connecticut College equestrian team while earning her bachelor’s degree before continuing her education at the University of Colorado where she received her master’s. As a USHJA Certified Trainer, she has trained junior riders in the equitation, hunter, and jumper rings at both local and rated shows throughout Colorado, Arizona, and across the Northeast. As a graduate of Canterbury School, Ally is familiar with boarding school life and has experience as a history teacher, dorm parent, and admissions officer.
Emma Lane
Assistant Director of Riding; Equine Science Teacher
Emma Lane joined the Chatham Hall family in 2017 and spends the majority of her time at the Barn as assistant director of riding. Emma earned an M.B.A. in equine management from Midway University and B.S. in biology from Hollins University. At Hollins, she rode on the IHSA team as an open/open rider all four years, and qualified and placed at IHSA Nationals twice in her college career. Emma is also a USHJA-certified trainer, registered USEF/USHJA hunter/equitation and jumper judge, and ASEA-certified equine appraiser. Her favorite things about Chatham Hall are the students and beautiful riding facilities. She also enjoys organic gardening, cooking, reading, and spending time with her dogs and two rescue turtles!