Duzan Riding Academy is excited to welcome young horse enthusiasts from Central Ohio for a 17th year of camp covering everything equine! DRA offers a variety of camps for all levels of experience and interest. Campers ride daily on our safe school ponies and horses–under the supervision of our experienced instructors. Hands on emphasis is on horse care, education, and fun- of course! All riding instruction is based on huntseat equitation (and dressage, jumping, and schooling cross country for experienced riders) in an English saddle. Little Horse Lovers and Equestrian Camps are limited to 8 participants to provide a special, individualized experience for your child. Campers will receive a workbook, a photo with their camp horse, and a camp t-shirt.
We are sure to have a camp that will grow your child’s passion for horses!
Here’s what parents need to know
- Extra Care: Available Hours are 8:00-9:00 a.m. Monday-Friday for $20/day and 2:00-4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday for $40/day. Please note that there is not after care available on Fridays. During this time, students will help around the barn, play games, complete crafts, watch a horse movie, go fishing, and/or feed the other animals on the farm (chickens, ducks, and a pig!) Extra care is only available for Equestrian Camp.
- Ways to Pay: We accept the following forms of payment:
Checks (payable to Duzan Riding Academy) can be mailed to 14191 State Road, Ostrander, Ohio 43061 or dropped off by appointment.
Cash
Venmo (@duzanridingacademy) – please do not click “Turn on for purchases” as it takes a fee out and then your entire camp payment will not be paid. If this happens, we will email to ask you to pay the remaining amount.
Zelle (info@duzanridingacademy.com) - Liability Waiver: Participants must have a signed liability waiver on file before participating in camp activities. Click on the link to download and send in the form.
- What to Bring: Treats (carrots, apples, or horse specific treats), Bug Spray, Sun Screen, Water bottle, Lunch, Hair Ties, Helmet, Riding Boots. Children will not be allowed to share food with other campers. Phones will be permitted during certain times of the day for the purpose of taking photos or checking in with parents.
- What to Wear: Campers need hard soled riding (paddock) boots with a heel and riding pants or jeans for riding, but may bring shorts or jeans and tennis shoes to change into. Jeans must not have any buttons or embellishments on pockets that might scratch saddles. A helmet will be provided for each camper. Campers may bring their own properly fitting riding helmet, but bike helmets are not appropriate. Attire, helmet, and boots may be purchased at Equus Now in Lewis Center.
- Camp Shirts: Each child will receive one camp shirt. Extra shirts may be ordered in advance for $12 each. Include payment with registration. Extra shirts may not be available for purchase after the May 15 deadline.
Registration Details
- Cancellations: Campers cancelling on or before May 15 will be charged a $50 cancellation fee. Campers cancelling after May 15 up until four weeks before your scheduled week of camp will be charged a $100 cancellation fee. Cancelling less than four weeks prior to your week of camp will not receive a refund. Campers leaving camp early for non-emergency/non-documented reasons will not be refunded.
- Full Sessions: Registration will be closed when a given camp is full, and you will not be able to register if there are no spots available. You can fill out the Waitlist form if you want a spot in a camp that is full. Full camps will be noted on the website.
- Please note that payment for camp is due immediately upon registering. Registrations that have been filled out but not paid by the end of each day will be deleted and the spot will be opened back up. You will receive a confirmation email from our office within 48 hours of registering.
How to Register
- Online Registration Form – fill out the form that corresponds to your chosen camp.
- Sign and send in DRA Disclosure & Release to info@duzanridingacademy.com
- Pay by check, Venmo (@DuzanRidingAcademy), or Zelle (info@duzanridingacademy.com).
2024 Summer Camp Schedule & Registration Forms
*See each camp below for dates.
2024 Summer Camp Wait List Form
2024 Junior Camp Counselor Form (Current DRA Students only)
Duzan Riding Academy Camp Descriptions
Each daily riding lesson will be specifically tailored to the individual’s readiness to do each skill, and we will progress in a safe manner at a rate comfortable for each student. We may even be able to include more activities based on the skills and learning styles of students in each particular camp.
Little Horse Lovers Camp (Ages 5-7 Year Olds)
*Riders must be 5 years old by the start of camp. No exceptions.
Days: Tuesday-Friday
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $400
Registration:
Week 7: Little Horse Lovers Camp July 16-19
Description: This camp is ideal for our youngest riders who just can’t wait for more time in the saddle, and for young horse enthusiasts who want to try being around horses for the first time! Activities will be centered around horses and we will use games, crafts, and stories to teach these littlest riders the basics. Each rider will have an older, experienced student leading their horse and working with them individually, as well as our regular instructors. There are no extended hours for the Little Horse Lovers Camp. This camp is limited to 8 spots.
Experience Level: This camp is excellent for younger enthusiasts who may or may not have had some exposure to horses. Complete beginners as well as riders with up to two years experience are welcome to join our Little Horse Lovers Camp!
Equestrian Camp (Ages 8-16)
Days: Monday-Friday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $500
Registration:
Week 3: Equestrian Camp June 17 – 21
Week 4: Equestrian Camp June 24 – 28
Week 6: Equestrian Camp July 8 – 12
Week 8: Equestrian Camp July 22 – 26
Description: This camp is appropriate for the avid horse lover that wants an immersive experience! Each camper will the opportunity to ride various horses and ponies based on their experience. Campers will learn all about our horses and how to care for each horse’s specific needs including riding, training, regular management and care. Campers will learn or refine skills such as grooming, bathing, feeding, stall cleaning, basic first aid, tack cleaning, and more! Spaces are limited to 8 riders per camp.
Experience Level: Riders who attend this camp typically have two years or less of riding experience. Total beginners are welcome and encouraged to attend! Riders may or may not be in regular riding lessons, and may or may not have attended other camps.
Equestrian Team Boot Camp (Going into 4th – 12th grade)
Days: Mon-Weds or Weds-Fri (see individual camps)
Time: 9:00-2:00
Cost: $400
Registration:
Week 5: Duzan Equestrian Team Huntseat Camp July 1 – 3
Week 10: Duzan Equestrian Team Dressage Camp August 7 – 9
Description: In this exclusive camp for our IEA riders only, students will “draw” horses to ride each day. Future IEA riders going into at least fourth grade and up are welcome and encouraged to attend! Each camp will feature time with discipline specific clinicians and our IEA team head coaches.
Activities will include:
- Question and Answer Classroom Session with a Judge
- Video recording of courses and flatwork, then evaluation of video
- Horse Show strategies
- Practicing USEF and IEA tests that judges may require riders to perform at shows
- Understanding IEA rules and tests
- Gaining a deeper understanding of what judges look for at an IEA show
- Team bonding!
- Physical Fitness exercises
- Learn how to judge and score a course and dressage test
- Mock Horse Show with riders divided into teams of 3-4 riders
- Team camp out in the barn!
Duzan Riding Academy Students Only Camps
Days: Mon-Fri
Time: 9:00-2:00
Cost: $500
Registration:
Week 1: Duzan Riding Academy Intermediate Students Only Camp June 3 – 7
Week 2: Duzan Riding Academy Advanced Beginner Students Only Camp June 10 – 14
Week 9: Duzan Riding Academy Beginner Students Only Camp July 29 – August 2
Description: These camps are for students who are currently enrolled in lessons at Duzan Riding Academy. They are more intensive than our Equestrian Camps, and are often tailored to the specific students who attend. Activities will be formulated based on what each group of riders needs to learn both on and off the horse. Students should sign up for the appropriate camp based on our lesson level check list and the skills they are currently working on. Each camp is limited to 6 participants.
Examples of Activities and Riding for Each Level:
Beginner (Beginner 1 and 2 Lesson Levels)
*Tack with assistance
*Walk and trot independently
*May be working on cantering on the lunge line
*Groundpoles Course
*Posting, Two point, and Sitting Trot
*Circles, Change of Direction
*Dressage Intro A Test
*Grooming, Bathing, Tack Care, Basic First Aid, Stall Cleaning, Leading
Advanced Beginner (Beginner 3 and 4 Lesson Levels)
*Tack with minimal help
*Walk and trot independently and in a group setting
*Canter independently
*Groundpoles and Crossrails
*Dressage Intro B Test
*Treating wounds and thrush, Quick Release knots, Emergency Dismounts, Blanketing, Bathing, Polo wraps, boots, equipment)
Intermediate (Intermediate 1 and 2 Lesson Levels)
*Tack completely independently
*Comfortable riding in a group at the walk, trot, and canter.
*Jumping Crossrails – 2′
*Intro C Dressage Test
*Emergency Dismounts, Riding out of the ring, Building a bridle, Fitting bridles and saddles, Stable bandages, poultice and sweating legs, counting strides, treating hoof abscesses, taking vitals, lunging and parallel leading, working a horse on the ground
