Q&A: What are your do’s and don’ts for the under saddle?
A: When I train riders to compete in a hunter under saddle class, I try to ensure that they know what they are truly being judged on; so many people...
Author Archives: Dana Hart-Callanan
Q&A: When do you know it’s time to retire your horse?
A: As a trainer, this is a delicate subject. I try my very, very best to make sure when a horse needs to be retired, they get exactly what is...
Q&A: What’s considered jumping a horse too much?
Q: I see lots of horses—hunters, especially—jumping what feels like a lot of rounds, sometimes multiple divisions at shows. How much is too much? A: That’s a hard question, as...
Q&A: Do I need to own my own horse to be successful at the rated level?
Q: I'm just starting out in the sport and want to compete seriously, but I'm getting lots of mixed advice. Do I need to own my own horse in order...
Q&A: Is it essential for a horse to be braided in order to get a ribbon in a hunter class?
First, let’s make sure we are all on the same page, as there are multiple levels to consider: schooling classes, USHJA classes, national classes, and B- and C-rated classes—to name...
Q&A: Is it possible to be a great rider and not a great horseman?
I’m not sure, as a trainer, that any of us would think it’s possible to be a great trainer and not a great horseman. But there are so many different...
Q&A: Is catch riding still a thing, and if so, how do you land opportunities if you’re not from a horsey family?
For junior riders, ‘catch riding’ is a huge thing in the hunter/equitation world, and to some degree in the jumper world. As a freelancing professional, it’s a little tougher; most...
Q&A: Are we, as riders, horse showing too much?
I am probably more old-school than most, so I see our industry as being very different than it used to be. I’m not sure if it’s for the good or...
Q&A: My 7-year-old daughter wants to start showing—is it a must that she begins in the pony ring?
As a trainer, teaching a 7-year-old, I would immediately put him or her on a pony. To start, the size is the best fit, safety-wise. I have always felt that...
Q&A: How much does having the ideal ‘equitation body’ impact your ability to be successful in the Big Eq?
This is very hard because you must understand that, truthfully, the equitation division is like figure skating: the look does matter. As a trainer, I personally don’t think the best...
Q&A: Has the move away from thoroughbreds and onto warmbloods been good or bad for the sport?
I have such mixed emotions about this one! I began training in the day that thoroughbreds were being used less and less, and warmbloods started being used far more often...
Q&A: Has losing the jog in hunter classes been a good or bad thing for the sport?
For the uninitiated, “the jog,” as it’s often referred to, was a required part of certain recognized hunter divisions at USEF-rated competitions. Riders who’d placed in a class were called...
Q&A: I’m looking for my next horse—how do I know if I’ve found a lifelong match?
When I have a client that it is ready to start looking for a new horse, there are lots of conversations I like to have with them long before the...
Q&A: How has the path changed for ambitious young riders without the budget to pursue the top sport?
The path to a high-level, professional riding career in the hunter/jumper industry has changed SO much in the last 20 years. Today, the cost of horses, shows, and full-training/care has...
Q&A: With all the lawsuits over horse sales lately, how do you protect yourself as a buyer?
Like everything else in life, the more you trust someone, the more vulnerable you are to getting hurt. Horse sales are no different. In a perfect world, every trainer...
Q&A: What Are the Up and Downsides of College Riding Programs?
This is a question that oh-so many parents don’t fully understand. Riding in college is a very different game from other sports. First and foremost is the pipeline aspect. Many...
Q&A: How Can We Keep Beginner Riders Out of the Jumper Ring Until They Have a Safe Seat?
Question courtesy of Curtis Pool. This is a very complicated question as there are so many different points of view when it comes to teaching people to ride. As a...
Q&A: What does it take to properly care for a horse at top level? What aren’t we doing well by our horses?
This is very straightforward to me. As a trainer, I think too many of us are scared of their owners/clients. Horses don’t have to do all that they do for...
Q&A: What Is Social Media Doing to Our Kids and Our Sport?
This is a tough subject. As a trainer, I have a really hard time with social media and the time it takes our kids away from “real time” with their...
Q&A: When Is It Time for a Client to Move to the Next Level?
Dana Hart Callanan is a successful hunter, jumper and equitation coach, an ‘R’ judge, and a sales broker. Here she answers common questions about A level sport. A: As a...
