2010 Summer Camps

We are offering 7 riding camps this summer. All camps will run from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, unless noted otherwise . Each camp includes riding, learning activities and games. All of our beginner camps will be limited to 12 riders. The cost per session will vary by session. The price listed does include the $100.00 deposit required to guarantee your child’s place in the camp of your choice. Some camps (ones with **) will require additional forms and riders for these must have their own horse, or have signed up for a horse to use. At all other camps we will provide the school horses.

Download Camp Registration form.

Beginner & Intermediate Camps

• June 14th – June 18th :  A five day camp open to children ages 8 to 12 of all abilities. Activities and games will focus horse care and horsemanship skills, while emphasizing safety on the ground and in the saddle. The last day of camp will have games on horseback for parents to watch. * Due to problems with snow days in the past, we will offer this camp for $60 per day if school days extend later into this week.  We will check with parents to verify the last day of school by May 1st so we can properly plan for this camp. Price will be $300.00 for this session if campers attend for the full week.


• June 21st – June 25th  This camp has been specifically designed with the younger rider in mind. Activities and games will focus on the most basic horsemanship skills, while teaching riders to be safe and confident around horses. . The last day of camp will have games on horseback for parents to watch. Price will be $300.00 for this session.


• June 28th – July 2nd :  Show Camp. A five day camp for those riders planning to show this summer. We will focus on riding for specific classes and getting horse and rider ready to show.  Preparation for classes, such as braiding and packing will be included. 4-H members planning to attend the  4-H State Horse show in Addison County the following week will be given a discount on this camp. Open to all levels, Beginners to Seniors, ages 8 to 18. Riders will practice riding classes with riders at the same level. The last day will be a camp show with judged classes for parents to watch. Price will be $300.00 for this session.


• August 2nd – August 6th : Open to children ages 8 to 12 of all abilities. Activities and games will focus horse care and horsemanship skills, while emphasizing safety on the ground and in the saddle. The last day of camp will have games on horseback for parents to watch. Price will be $300.00 for this session.


• August 23rd - to August 27th : Open to children ages 8 to 12 of all abilities. Activities and games will focus horse care and horsemanship skills, while emphasizing safety on the ground and in the saddle. The last day of camp will have games on horseback for parents to watch. Price will be $300.00 for this session.

Horsemanship Camp

July 19th – July 24th

Our Horsemanship Camp is a very special camp designed to improve riding and horsemanship skills while also building confidence, and encouraging teamwork. This is a six day camp open to almost all ability levels. Riders must be able to groom and tack up independently. This camp will run from 8:00 am to 7:00pm. The focus will be on rimanship skills. As always, we will still emphasize safety on the ground and in the saddle. ding, team building skills, designing team rides, problem solving, and more advanced horse

At this camp we will also have guest speakers and demonstrators. For the last three years we have had Heather Collins in to do Yoga and Core Strengthening to improve riding. Heather has been a favorite of the kids, so we are hoping to have her back again this year. Other speakers are still being determined, and will be chosen based on the topics our riders are interested in. We should have the final schedule by May 1st. Some of the themes that have been suggested for this year’s camp are:

“Alternative Theories in Training and Health Care”
“Different Riding Styles & Seats”
“Training to Increase Strength & Endurance”
 “Horses in History”

We are still in the process of choosing a theme, so please feel free to share ideas for themes and people who might be willing to do presentations for us.
During this camp we also offer several 4-H style competitions, including Quiz Bowl, Judging, Hippology, and Communications. Riders will compete as individuals and as teams in most of these contests. Each team will design their own t-shirt and drill team ride. Teams will be chosen based on riding ability and knowledge, so that the teams should be as equal in ability and knowledge as possible. Teams will be assigned ahead of time, but will not be announced until the first day of camp.

Since the days in this camp are very long, riders will need to bring a lunch, and all parents will be asked to contribute in some way towards dinner. We try to keep dinner as simple as possible. We prefer that dinner items be made ahead, and be able to be reheated easily. This avoids a large mess in the kitchen and extra work at the end of a long day. Parents can sign up for parts of the meals ahead of time. We are hoping to have a meeting to prepare for meals and to discuss final topics and presenters on Sunday June 1st at 1:00. This meeting will be held at Patty’s House and riders should bring a parent to the meeting as well.

The last day of camp will be a Saturday and will be a show to demonstrate skills and compete with team rides. Discounts are available to parents who help during camp. Price will be based on final plans and discounts. Maximum price for this session will be $400.00. There are additional forms required to attend this camp.

 

Intermediate & Advanced Camp

August 16th – August 20th

Open to Intermediate and Advanced riders, ages 10 & up. Riders should be comfortable cantering a course of jumps. We will be working to improve jumping skills, and activities will concentrate on skills needed to show over fences. Riders will also be learning about the following:
Course design, distances, and setting a safe and correct course.
Horsemanship skills needed to show at the VHJA level, such as :
Braiding & clipping
Prepping and loading horses onto a trailer
VHJA show rules and regulations.
Show ring etiquette
Riding with rhythm and balance to improve performance

Theses are just a few of the more specialized topics we will be covering in this camp. This camp will precede the VHJA Missy Ann Stables Horse show August 21st & August 22nd. Warm-ups may be done for this show on Friday. If the show does decide to hold their warm-ups on Friday this may become part of camp if parents wish their child to attend. The cost of trailering to the show and show fees would not be included, but coaching and all other help needed for that day would be included in the cost of this camp. In that case, the camp may run late on Friday. Final details should be available by May1st. If campers will need to use one of our horses, they should sign up as early as possible so they can get to use their preferred horse.

Cost of Trailering to Missy Ann Stables Horse Show would be $45.00 per horse. If campers are sharing a horse this cost may be split. Warm up rounds at VHJA shows usually run about $15.00 a round. Warm-ups give horses and riders a chance to ride the course with their instructors coaching them over the fences. If riders are interested in trying a VHJA show, riding a warm-up round or two can give them a chance to see what it would really be like. If the show does not do warm-ups on Friday, or parents do not wish their child to attend them, an afternoon of games over fences will be planned for Friday instead. Price will be $300.00 for this session.

Enniskerry Farm will be planning to attend the show the next day. Attending this camp does not mean riders are required to show. Many riders simply use this camp to learn more about jumping and showing. The final class list and price list for the show is not available yet. If stabling is available, horses may stay overnight. If you are interested in having your child attend the show, please let me know and I will make sure you get a copy of the class list when it becomes available. There are additional forms required to attend this camp.