Greg Best at Dana Hall

[Soaponarope]

Wow, just saw that Greg Best is going to be heading up the riding program at Dana Hall in Wellesley, MA. Those are some pretty luck kids! I went to an even smaller prep school in the next town that did not have an equestrian center. So I managed to get a bunch of us out of PE by taking riding lessons at Dana Hall. Not only did we get out of PE, but we got to get off campus and had a pretty awesome time overall although the head trainer carried a lunge whip at all times as I recall. They had a little barn, a little indoor arena and an outdoor. It was pretty idyllic in the 70s as I remember.

It sounds as if he will be running a summer program and coaching “through equitation finals.” I guess he means Maclay? Or IEA? At any rate, wow. Wellesley is an amazing place for his young family although it doesn’t sound as if they will be living there year round. Certainly a huge win for local riders. Oh to be in New England still and go to Greg Best summer riding academy literally two blocks from the original Dover store and two miles from the Smartpak with the sales attic. Why did I ever leave?:no:

[Sansena]

I think this man is a class act, and even moreso after reading this. In a way, not surprised in the least. He obviously enjoys teaching, what better way to help impact the horsemen of tomorrow positively than by being resident instructor at a school.

[triplethreat]

Oh wow. Can old ladies join the summer program?

[lmlacross]

I dreamed of going to Dana as a kid. My stepdad, uncles, and aunts went to Nobles, Rivers, and Dana. Alas, I was a mere plebeian! Public Duxbury High School for me. (-:

I think it’s a fabulous opportunity for the school, its students, and GB. I’m looking forward to seeing their riding program bloom again under his leadership.

Oh, and Soaponarope, I was in both the Dover basement in Wellesley and the SmartPak attic last week. Sadly, no deals to write home about this trip, but I always make it a point to hit them up whenever I’m there!

[vxf111]

Those kids have NO IDEA how amazingly lucky they are. Greg Best is, quite literally, the BEST. There is no one I would rather learn from. They really are SO LUCKY. And he’s going to ride again!? I didn’t think he was physically able! I am excited to get to one day see him in the ring again!!!

[egrubbs]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8709619]
Those kids have NO IDEA how amazingly lucky they are. Greg Best is, quite literally, the BEST. There is no one I would rather learn from. They really are SO LUCKY. And he’s going to ride again!? I didn’t think he was physically able! I am excited to get to one day see him in the ring again!!![/QUOTE]

Oh yes…Greg rides, just not the amount of his colleagues. He truly is a brilliant rider and you would never any different. He used to show my junior/ao jumper and also my trainer’s daughter’s horses in Manor, TX. He showed Entrepreneur in Parker, CO GP in 2001 or 2002 and took 4th. I used to be his working student for the summer shows when he was here in the states, Texas. What a great opportunity for the school and all the students!

[egrubbs]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8709619]
Those kids have NO IDEA how amazingly lucky they are. Greg Best is, quite literally, the BEST. There is no one I would rather learn from. They really are SO LUCKY. And he’s going to ride again!? I didn’t think he was physically able! I am excited to get to one day see him in the ring again!!![/QUOTE]

Oh yes…Greg rides, just not the amount of his colleagues. He truly is a brilliant rider and you would never know any different. He used to show my junior/ao jumper and also my trainer’s daughter’s horses in Manor, TX. He showed Entrepreneur in Parker, CO GP in 2001 or 2002 and took 4th. I used to be his working student for the summer shows when he was here in the states, Texas. What a great opportunity for the school and all the students!

[scruffy_the_cat]

I’m tickled to death that he’s going to be a couple of miles away from where I board my horse. I’m a dressage rider but I don’t care- this is fabulous news for the area. Hope there are auditing opportunities for outsiders!

[vxf111]

I audited a clinic of his maybe 3 years ago and someone asked him if he still rode and he said he really didn’t anymore because of his shoulder. I am STOKED to hear that’s not the case now!!!

[DocRider]

So excited about this!! Clinics, here we come!!

[Soaponarope]

You lucky New Englanders! Please post about any clinics you do!

[Soaponarope]

I would also love to hear about what the facilities are like at Dana Hall now. I remember it so well; I wonder if it has changed?

[triplethreat]

If you remember it as the shed row then yes it’s changed! They built a whole new barn in I think 2007/2008.

[WB_Mom]

Greg is in our neck of the woods this weekend for a clinic in Columbia, Mo. He comes every year and is fabulous! And as an added plus, is eye candy as well! :winkgrin:

[Davignport]

Great to hear he is back in the United States. He is a great horseman and class act all the way. Welcome home!

[hunter_queen]

As a kid I used to watch Greg’s videos bought at the same Dover Saddlery you mentioned… so funny how things work out. To answer your question though you probably left because the northeast/Boston is cripplingly expensive and the horse world here is 90% corrupt. I thought Cookie would have had to be 99 before anyone could get her to retire but I guess not. Dana Hall’s program was pretty shady but not as bad as half the H/J barns in MA.

[Soaponarope]

[QUOTE=hunter_queen;8716094]
As a kid I used to watch Greg’s videos bought at the same Dover Saddlery you mentioned… so funny how things work out. To answer your question though you probably left because the northeast/Boston is cripplingly expensive and the horse world here is 90% corrupt. I thought Cookie would have had to be 99 before anyone could get her to retire but I guess not. Dana Hall’s program was pretty shady but not as bad as half the H/J barns in MA.[/QUOTE]

Oh, right, that money thing! It’s gotten pretty crazy up there indeed! However you do get what you pay for at least. It is quite lovely.

[Punkie]

Dang! Almost 2 decades too late for me! I went to Dana for boarding school and rode there my freshman year. I enjoyed the program and riding with Cookie, but there was very limited turn out so we opted not to bring my horses. Instead, I would ride with DHSRC during the week and go home/horse show most weekends with my trainers. But had GB been there during my time, I’m pretty sure we would’ve figured a way around the limited turnout. I’m so jealous!

[puzzle]

Those girls sure are lucky! Hope he does more clinics in new england or takes ship-in lessons

[Canaqua]

@Soaponarope;8707598

Wow, just saw that Greg Best is going to be heading up the riding program at Dana Hall in Wellesley, MA. Those are some pretty luck kids! I went to an even smaller prep school in the next town that did not have an equestrian center. So I managed to get a bunch of us out of PE by taking riding lessons at Dana Hall. Not only did we get out of PE, but we got to get off campus and had a pretty awesome time overall although the head trainer carried a lunge whip at all times as I recall. They had a little barn, a little indoor arena and an outdoor. It was pretty idyllic in the 70s as I remember.

I’m late to this thread, but we must have crossed paths back then. I went to yet another prep school, in Boston, so of course no riding program. I lived in Wellesley, though, and boarded a horse at Dana Hall on and off during the 70s, through summer of 1980. Also got out of PE by having Cookie sign a form for my gym teacher ;).