Summer Camp

Your child is sure to make new friends- two legged, AND four-legged- during our fun-filled, yet educational camps. All camps are “Hands On”, include daily riding lessons, and all activities are horse related (with a few fun outdoorsy games and activities mixed in). We’re sure to have a camp that will “wow” your child with exciting new adventures with horses, whether your child is a complete beginner or a seasoned competitor! Beginner and Advanced Horsemanship camps run several weeks throughout the summer.

Here’s what Parents need to know!

All camps are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m, except the “My Own Horse Camp” which is Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Treats for the horses and cameras are more than okay, they’re encouraged!

Each child will receive a camp T-shirt and photos with his or her favorite horses and camp buddies.

Campers should pack their own lunch and bring a drink and/or water bottle. Children will not be allowed to share food with other campers.

Campers need hard soled boots with a heel and jeans for riding, but may bring shorts and tennis shoes to change into.

Parents will be notified in advance if there will be any water activities (weather permitting)

2011 Summer Camp Dates

June 14-17: Horsemanship Camp (beginner and advanced)
June 21-24: Horse Showing Camp
June 21-24: Little Horse Lovers Camp
July 5-8: Horsemanship Camp (beginner and advanced)
July 19-22: Horsemanship Camp (beginner and advanced)
July 26-29: Horsemanship Camp (beginner and advanced)
August 2-5: Horsemanship Camp (beginner and advanced)
August 8-12: My Horse Camp (advanced only)
August 16-19: Horsemanship Camp (beginner and advanced)

Horse Show Camp (ages 8 and up)
Cost: $250 Days: Tues-Fri Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participants will practice preparing horses for shows including advanced grooming, bathing, clipping, braiding/banding, leg wrapping, and loading a horse on the trailer. Students learn horse show technique, etiquette, judging, and practice critiquing themselves and other horses and riders. Daily rides will be structured as a warm up ride, and then campers will participate in practice classes such as western pleasure, hunter under saddle, horsemanship, equitation, trail, showmanship, and ground poles or jumping as appropriate for their level of ability. On Friday, participants will prepare their horses and put on a horse show for parents.

Little Horse Lovers Camp (ages 5-7)
Cost: $250 Days: Tues-Fri Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This camp for the little ones is perfect for your young horse lover! They will get hands on time with our super safe school ponies, and learn safety and basic grooming. They will get to ride daily in an enclosed arena, and learn the basics of riding while an experienced horse handler walks alongside the horse during the ride. Campers will play exciting games and complete crafts that will help them learn about breeds, colors, markings, basic body parts, and tack. They will learn what a horse’s daily routine is like, the care required for them, and what is involved in the operation of a horse farm. Campers will even get to help around the farm and care for horses for the week! They will get to show off their skills in a “Lead Line” Horse show on Friday for parents.

Beginner Horsemanship Camp (ages 7-14) Cost: $250
Cost: $250 Days: Tues-Fri Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campers will learn the basics of horse care including grooming, bathing, nutrition, hoof and dental care, and general maintenance. They will discover popular breeds of horses, basic anatomy, parts of the bridle and saddle, and colors and markings through fun games, crafts, and scavenger hunts. Campers learn how to handle the horse on the ground including tying the horse, leading, and showmanship skills (leading the horse through a series of maneuvers and presenting a well groomed horse). All students learn safety around horses on the ground and on horseback. Daily rides include learning skills such as stopping and steering the horse, walking, trotting, backing, maneuvering through obstacles, and learning the foundation of jumping over poles lying on the ground. Students will ride in a fenced arena on our safe and experienced school horses. Students will put on a horse show for parents on Friday.

Advanced Horsemanship Camp (ages 7-14)
Cost: $250 Days: Tues-Fri Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more advanced students, emphasis will be placed on more specialized skills necessary for the care of a horse and on broadening campers’ knowledge of horse behavior and training. Campers will learn and practice advanced grooming required for horse shows including bathing, clipping, banding, and braiding. Campers will study detailed nutrition and common health problems and cures. They will learn advanced anatomy of the horse including parts of the hoof and important internal structures of the horse such as the gastrointestinal tract and the structures inside the legs and hooves. They will also learn about conformation faults and common health problems associated with various part of the horse. Students will clean, assemble, and review parts of tack (saddles and bridles). More emphasis will be placed on horse care in this camp, and students will have the opportunity to practice administering first aid such as various types of wrapping legs and bandaging hooves, giving dewormer to horses, taking vitals, and curing skin or hoof conditions. During each daily ride, students will get to walk, trot, and canter (if they have experience or show readiness to canter) and practice ground poles and jumping. Students may have the opportunity to ride our more advanced horses and/or experience a ride in our open back field. Students will learn elements of horse showing (etiquette, types of showing, requirements, opportunities) and will put on a horse show for parents on Friday.

My Horse Camp (Ages 8-15)
Cost: $350 Days: Mon-Fri Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During this exclusive camp, each camper will be assigned one horse to care for during the entire week of camp. For this camp only, campers should have a decent amount of riding experience. They will be responsible for giving the horse hay, grain, and water, as well as grooming, bathing, cleaning the horse’s stall, exercising and turning the horse out to pasture, training, and any other type of care that the horse may require. This is a wonderful camp for children who aspire to own a horse someday. Campers will learn what is required of horse owners including regular care, what to look for when choosing a horse to purchase, and the  costs of purchasing and ownership. Campers will get to witness a pre-purchase exam performed by a veterinarian and a regular hoof trim and shoeing by a farrier. Campers will take an hour long lesson on “their” horse daily. They may also be allowed free time to work with their horse on the ground or under saddle, and each student will be responsible for deciding what is most important to work on with their specific horse. Space is limited.

Summer Camp Forms
2011 Summer Camp Registration Form.pdf
DRA Waiver.pdf