British Dressage Adult/Senior training camps - Who's been, what's expected??

coreteam1

coreteam1

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I've seen a BD camp coming up in March 2011 and wondered if anyone had been on one? They look interesting but it would be good to hear from anyone who's actually taken part in one in the past?

What did you gain from it? Would you go again? What the instruction informative and did it help you and your horse?

Are there different levels of horse and rider? Do people tend to be very experienced who attend?

I would love to go but I'm a bit unsure as I don't want to be out of my depth!

:)
 
I went to one last year and had a great time! I had decided to stop eventing in 2009 and thought it would be a good way to motivate me to BD and also to get some feedback from trainers that didn't know me.
Socially it's great fun and you get to meet lots of like minded people, there's normally some kind of event on the Sat night, which is a good excuse for a little drinky!!
From the training point of view I had 2 brilliant sessions and 1 not so great, but at least I now know that that trainer doesn't suit me ;) (they were all highly regarded trainers - its therefore an opp to get some training from someone that you may not have access to in normal circumstances). We also had a test riding session, which was useful and was used as a 'selection trial' for the BD Inter Regionals.
The groups were arranged according to the level that we were working at, and TBH the RDO did a very good job of grouping the riders. There was also a wide selection of riders at the camp, ranging from people competing at PSG, to people attending with 4yr olds that hadn't been to any shows.....made for good viewing!
I've booked to go again this May and its so nice to have something to look forward to, especially considering I haven't ridden for a week (Didn't this year as the venue for the camp was too far away).
I think you should go for it, you'll have fun, learn lots and meet new people......what more could you want ;)!!!!
 
The North one, which covers your area too, Baileys, is at Willerby on 18-20th March and is £180 for BD members and £195 for non-members. I'm dithering, but probably won't have the money.
 
The central one is about £200, which includes all training, evening meals and entertainment plus about £50 for stabling, quite expensive, but worth it for a good weekend!!!
 
Cheers Gamebird will depend on how much work I get in the new year then, my horse will be going as a friend has him for the year and I know she's definately planning to go, was going to take something I'm riding so don't want to push the boat out too much, might take a ride up a watch though.
 
I have been twice and have booked in for the Central one next year. I love it, it really helps the horse to grow up. Don't go expecting intensive training, just take some tips from each trainer.
I have had lessons from the following people:
Nick Turner
Gareth Hughes
Marie Eilberg
Nicola Mcgivern
Andrew Gould
Matt Frost
James Burtwell

So you get some great trainers
Its very good value and I throughly enjoy it.
 
Would say the ones I went to were very clicky and not that welcoming, if you know RDO and get a good pairing and fit in would say Ok but expensive for amount of training received would prefer to book a couple of days at a trainers yard seperatly for the same money and get more specific training. But only my thoughts.
 
moiragedge said:
Would say the ones I went to were very clicky and not that welcoming, if you know RDO and get a good pairing and fit in would say Ok but expensive for amount of training received would prefer to book a couple of days at a trainers yard seperatly for the same money and get more specific training. But only my thoughts.
Click to expand...

Oh that's interesting? Not nice to feel unwelcome :(
 
went to the Central one at Crofton this year as a first timer and had good fun, 2 of my lessons excellent (james Burtwell is fab) and one crappy but that was just the wrong trainer for me and i didnt let it bother me too much...overall good fun and may well go to Central again this year....
 
Went to the NW one at Myerscough last August and really, really enjoyed it. Have to say, everyone was really friendly and helpful.

On the strength of that I'm going to the Solihull one in April. :-)
 
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