Hear feedback directly from

Our valued clients

“I began riding with Carly in December 2020 with my PRE gelding, Max. Carly is a thoughtful and patient trainer, always adhering to classical principles and the training scale while appreciating each horse as an individual. She tailors her training and lessons to each horse and rider with an emphasis on correct and kind aids.

She has studied, worked for, and ridden with some of the top trainers, both here and abroad–and it shows. Carly is an excellent horsewoman with tremendous attention to detail who always puts the horse’s welfare and well-being first and foremost. She cares deeply for the horses in her barn.

I appreciate her integrity, flexibility, knowledge, and curiosity. She works hard to continue her education and is open to adventures and ideas. The barn is my happy place and my horses are happy there too. Her instruction is very clear and she gives you her undivided attention during lessons. She continues to explore exercises to improve both the horse and rider and communicates them effectively. She is very generous with her time. She appreciates that as adult amateurs this is our hobby and ensures that we have fun and stay safe! She fosters a welcoming and warm atmosphere at her barn.

I highly recommend Carly Collari as a professional and a wonderful person.”

-Susan Karsch, Hanover, MA

“I am blessed to have had horses for 22 years, at my own farm and as a boarder, and I am one of those owners who watches EVERYthing. Carly was recommended to me by a friend/judge/trainer, to help with my quirky horse.

Immediately impressed by her lovely riding, I came to appreciate her ability to identify the unique needs of a variety of horses. For each, she designs training, feeding, and daily management. She knows each horse very well. This is only possible because of her experience, her devotion to the horses and her enthusiasm for the work.  The work, not surprisingly, requires long hours, lots of positive energy, and adaptability.  A rare “day off” is, without hesitation, put aside in case of bad weather, a horse that is “off”, or other anomalies that crop up with a barn full of horses. She also fosters a supportive environment for her customers and is always willing to listen to owners’ concerns and suggestions and to engage in intelligent discussions. Her teaching and training is correct, creative, positive, and fun!  I have no hesitation in recommending her and August Farm.”

-Kate Plettner, Barnstable, MA

“Carly has an amazing gift for understanding riders and horses, seeing their potential, and tailoring her training to their particular needs (and quirks!). She doesn't apply a one-size-fits-all training approach and shows up with enthusiasm for each horse and rider. Her focus on positive problem-solving has had an impressive (and swift!) impact on my own riding, as well as on my inexperienced horse. In addition, I really appreciate that she is fun, down-to-earth, and happy to meet horse and rider where they are in their training. As a result, her barn is full of great people and happy horses! As an adult amateur with very modest goals, I have really struggled in the past to find the right balance of training, pushing myself and my horse, but also being able to just enjoy the ride--and am so happy to have finally found it here!”

- Christina Lynn, Hanover, MA

“Carly is an incredibly knowledgeable horsewoman that treats all her clients (and their animals) like she has known them forever. Her attention to detail and care for the horses is impeccable. She is classically trained in dressage, but is open to seeing all aspects of training (especially if it is in a kind manor!). I came to Carly with my problem child over the summer and have felt nothing but support, respect, and compassion along with superior communication skills. I myself was a hunter jumper professional before taking a 8yr "hiatus" from riding and now moving to "the dark side" of dressage, and am currently a veterinary professional with a wonky schedule that is kindly supported with flexibility and unparalleded compassion. The property (grass paddocks, wash stall, lighted indoor and outdoor, and trails) is stunning, along with the ability to do hill work is a super plus!”

-Bridget Hatch, Halifax, MA

“I knew in the first 30 days that my ulcer prone OTTB was healing and transforming from the inside out in Carly’s most capable hands. Now at 90 days in I can confirm that Anchor’s undeniable progress is the result of one of the most courageous, gifted, competent, elegant and creative rider-trainers I have ever witnessed. I thank God every day for the consistency of care and joy she brings to the both of us. She has restored our confidence and ability to progress. Most remarkable is her unshakable inner calm and mastery of the discipline of dressage. She is mature beyond her years and a remarkable example of a true horsewoman.

Thank you for taking us on and into your barn…we are home!”

-Linda Jo Atanassov, Easton, MA

“I have known Carly for about 6 years, having first met her in Southern California. This was my first visit to August Farm and I am so impressed with the training business she has built here. Her horsemanship is top notch—each horse receiving the utmost attention that every owner dreams of! She is a beautiful and talented rider with a thirst for knowledge and she frequently seeks out a diverse array of activities (off-property clinics, visiting clinicians, shows etc) for the betterment of the clients and their horses. While I was there I had a chance to watch her school green babies under saddle and teach lessons on FEI horses with equal ease and professionalism. August Farm speaks for itself with its gorgeous setting, efficient layout, beautiful stalls with skylights, pastures and paddocks galore, and of course a drool-worthy indoor arena. Highly recommend.”

-Ann Marie Aumann DMV, Copper Harbor, MI

“We came to Carly when it looked like things with our horse had become desperate. I had bought my eight-year-old a pony after a 15 minute test ride. All we knew is that he came from fantastic blood lines and he’d spent most of his life reining and had most recently been jumping. For us, he would begin his life in dressage. My daughter is a great young rider. At that point she was experienced in walk, trot, and canter, however being in frame and understanding dressage aids became frustrating for him and after a year he began to act out bolting, bucking and refusing to stand to be mounted. Our trainer referred us to Carly. Carly dove into the psychology of this sweet pony with her skills in natural horsemanship. She’s patient and caring, never rough or harsh. She let him get frustrated and then kindly asked and got what she wanted from him. It didn’t take long for her to figure out that he didn’t know as much as we were told he did when we bought him and his frustration had mounted after a year. She based her rides on positive reinforcement, affection and shorter work when things went exceedingly well. She included a lot of lunging, ground and flag work, desensitizing exercises, in addition to transitions and gaits in frame. After three months, we put my daughter back into daily lessons with Carly and her confidence in all gaits is tremendous and she’s working at a very advanced level for a now 10 year old. As a trainer, Carly is confident, low key and patient but never a pushover. She expects safety at all times, full concentration from her students and is committed to producing the best product. I highly recommend Carly if you are looking for high level committed lessons and/or training for your horse.”

- D. Bonslaver, San Diego, CA

“I was a former boarder and have recently returned to watch a good friend and her horse training under Carly Collari. She has made impressive improvements in both horse and rider in the short time they have been working together. Carly, already an empathetic and patient instructor, spent the past seven years working under Birthe Laufer, Christine Traurig, and Steffen Peters and more recently, a year riding for Johann Hinneman in Germany. These years have given her a solid basis in correct classical dressage training and it shows!”

- Sally Davenport, New England Dressage Assoc. Board of Directors. 2020

“Since transitioning my equestrian goals to focus on dressage after many years of riding, I have had the great pleasure and fortunate opportunity to clinic with Carly several times. Carly’s approach to training horse and rider is successful for many reasons. She assesses both horse and rider’s existing capabilities and focuses on the strengths of each while cultivating talent in other areas that may have before been overlooked. Carly exhibits patience, direction, and candor while delivering instruction in a positive manner. I learn something new each time I train with her. I recently had the opportunity to have her work with my mare and put some training rides on her as she is a green horse. Carly was so insightful and really listens to the horse and it was truly amazing to witness my mare having a breakthrough. I would highly recommend Carly to anyone looking to expand upon their dressage skills as an equestrian and I look forward to working with her again in the future.”

- Tory Devonshire, Plympton, MA

“Insight. Precision. Calming. Confidence. Positive. Thoughtful. All of these adjectives describe Carly Collari Dressage. I have had the opportunity to ride consistently with Carly for months and have grown significantly as an equestrian. When I met with this gifted trainer, I struggled with low confidence and anxiety while riding. I constantly was thinking negative, self-doubting thoughts. After a few lessons, my nervous energy began to trickle away and my body seemed to meld into the tack. Carly has a calm confidence while instructing students. She has the keen capability to see intricate details that will enable even the most novice rider to improve his/her seat. She is able to communicate effectively with so many various students at many different levels of expertise. I enjoy it when she asks me, “Do you feel the difference?” or “Explain to me the process of the transitions.” Asking the student to articulate is effective in helping them master skills.

I’m impressed by her interest and willingness to seek outside dressage instruction to continually grow as an accomplished equestrian. She actively looks for riding insight and recommendations from other top-level instructors. Carly is incredibly talented at teaching and navigating the direction in which her business will grow and prosper. I am absolutely honored to have her as my instructor and riding mentor. She has given me the confidence I didn’t know I possessed. Her positive attitude and uplifting insight make training with her a true joy!”

- Courtnie Graybill, Hanover, MA