Training at Dara Knot
Babette Lenna and Madison Blodgett work together to support horses and riders in the Dara Knot program. Clients have access to both trainers, whose shared teaching philosophy and individual perspectives offer different ways to learn and progress. Together, they provide a collaborative training environment with greater flexibility while keeping each horse-and-rider partnership’s individual goals at the center of the program.
Babette Lenna specializes in three-day eventing and has over 25 years experience training and competing horses through the Advanced and CCI4*-S level.
She excels in training young or challenging horses and guiding riders from all disciplines and all levels, working to provide all clients with essential tools to achieve their goals. Developing young riders up the levels is one of Babette’s greatest passions.
Babette's long-term vision includes advancing her string of competition horses and expanding her training and competition programs. She is dedicated to ongoing education, continually refining her skills as a trainer, competitor, and instructor. Her journey has been shaped by esteemed instructors such as Phillip Dutton, Bobby Costello, and Tim Bourke.
Training Philosophy:
Babette emphasizes perseverance, work ethic, and education in her approach to riding and training at the highest levels. She grew up as a young rider under the guidance of Caroline Atherholt and Eric Horgan. Throughout her professional career Babette has continued to seek out the expertise of other professionals in order to continue to grow as a rider and trainer. Jan Byyny and Allison Springer have been incredible influences as well as FEI Dressage riders Tanya Rennie, Beth Barritt, and Rebecca Vick.
Babette Lenna | Owner + Trainer
Madison Blodgett began riding and eventing in Maine with Sandy Porter-Bean and Audrey Bean at Pendragon Farm. She later began riding with Babette Lenna and, in December 2021, moved to Aiken, South Carolina, to join Dara Knot Farm full-time.
Since then, Madison has become an integral part of the program, with her role growing from barn management into teaching riders and training and competing horses. In October 2026, she formally stepped into a trainer position at Dara Knot.
Madison has taken two horses through Preliminary and produced one through Intermediate. She also participated in the Emerging Athletes U21 program in 2022 and 2023. She enjoys working with a variety of horses and has a particular soft spot for Thoroughbreds.
Her teaching approach is encouraging, thoughtful, and centered around helping riders build confidence while working toward their individual goals. Years of working alongside Babette have shaped her approach, and the two share a consistent teaching philosophy while bringing their own perspectives and ways of explaining concepts to each rider.
As a trainer at Dara Knot, Madison offers lessons for both current and ship-in clients, as well as horse training and competition rides.
Madison Blodgett | Trainer
