Describe your perfect camp to me

[blitznbobs]

If you like going on camps with your horse what is your favourite things and what are you less keen about?

Are weekends best or do you prefer midweek events?

How long should they be?

Do you like variety (flatwork and jumping and cross country) or do you prefer to be more focused with maybe pole /cavaletti work if you are into dressage and focused flatwork for jumping if thats your bag?

Anything that you thought would be great done differently or was fab as it was? Any sessions you liked off your horse etc …

I am thinking about organising some camps in the future and looking to see what is popular and what is not so much??

Thanks x

 

[cold_feet]

I wish there were more camps for riders like me, who would love to visit different areas for a few days hacking and socialising with new people. (Probably not what you have in mind).

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I've only done 2 camps and sort of enjoyed both!! The first one was with an event rider that has made eventing pretty much her job. She seemed to decide she didn't like my horse so we didn't really get much tuition. The more advanced groups got more out of it I think. I won't do another there. That was a over a weekend. I also did one last year mid week. Again with an event rider but she does a variety of things and it was more low key. My lad was fabulous ( which he was at the first one) and it was much more fun. I met some lovely people who I'm still in contact with. Camps are expensive and I'm not sure if I will do one again this year.

 

[blitznbobs]

I wish there were more camps for riders like me, who would love to visit different areas for a few days hacking and socialising with new people. (Probably not what you have in mind).

I have a blank slate, a fantastic venue and lots of time…

 

[Roxylola]

Weekend for means I don't have to get time off work. Personally ones I've done have been 1 private flat, 1 SJ and 2 xc sessions. I'd like maybe a grid session instead of one of the xc sessions. In fact just more sj in general xc is much of a muchness really, it's fun but actually at my level the least part I need to focus on- positive riding covers most of it.
Maybe, the option to choose your focus xc - a water session/ditches/skinnies etc in your booking form
So assuming 4 lessons over 3 days my perfect camp would be a grid, a sj, a focused xc and maybe an in hand or poles or cavaletti or something special type session. Biomechanics maybe even. I'm not against a "dressage" lesson, but I already have lessons with someone I like so I'm not that fussed for that.
But that's just me

 

[LEC]

I run camps and they are absolutely exhausting. Run them for 32-40 people and then I always get feedback so tend to tweak things over the years.

my personal favourite is now to run 3 in a group for 1hr15mins. This has been honed over the years as done 4 and 5 in a group and hated it. I now no longer run anywhere with a xc as I run camps aimed at competitive riders competing at 80cm+ so tend to do xc tech instead which is far more useful.
I tend to run - flat, footwork, sjing and xc tech now again after a lot of tweaking.
I now only do breakfast and supper on 2nd night to cut costs but appreciate a lot of people go for a nice horsey time so the food is important. I spend probably £60-70 an hour on trainers whereas a lot of camps run at £30 an hour so I cut costs on food instead. I prefer arrival on Friday and lesson 1 on Friday and lesson 4 on Sunday morning but it’s difficult with trainers as they prefer block bookings and 2 solid days teaching.
My advice is attend several and see what you like. I basically run my ‘perfect’ camp and find a lot of people sign up and agree as I want great training at a very lean cost. I have done every type of camp over the years and none have been the same as I keep tweaking. If I run another camp then I am going to tweak things again as a few things I was not happy with from the one I ran in Feb.
Your biggest issue if new to the game will be getting availability. I tend to book a year in advance and on very popular places you need to be given a slot, I got lucky after being on the waitlist for one camp. I then book trainers around 7-12 months in advance to make sure I get the ones I want. I spend hours on admin for it with risk assessments and insurance. I run mine through BRC so that covers my insurance. I am anal about the groups I put together as well as most people don’t tell you their true abilities.

 

[Red-1]

I have a blank slate, a fantastic venue and lots of time…

That kind of hacking camp would be great for me too. A relaxed hacking, everyone helping each other, as opposed to a hoon around.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I tweak all the time too but our camps are quite niche as they specifically target rider confidence. We spread lessons out over 3 days to give more time for debriefs between rides and have lots of non horse options - yoga, rider massage, confidence coaching. Oh and free wine!

 

[nutjob]

My main requirement is permanent stables as the temporary ones are small for my horse and I'm worried they are too flimsy for him. Poles and grids would be good as you don't see them run as clinics very often near me. I would rather have a specific focus either dressage or jumping and build up as the course progresses rather than do 3 different things over a couple of days D/SJ/XC which is quite common.

 

[milliepops]

I used to do dressage camps where i now train permanently.
They used to run 3 or 5 days and 3 works best for me because after that time my horse would be tired and ready for some turnout. I prefer long weekends just so that work isn't so awkward.
The way they ran them was that we were encouraged to watch each others lessons after doing our own and I got a lot out of watching other combinations progress over a few days. it's like bonus content for each person (obviously done in a way that it's a positive experience for the person being watched )
There was usually a lecture demo put on with a pro which gave some aspirational stuff to think about.

 

[ycbm]

I'd like some evening fun laid on and I worry about attending camp with a horse I only ride 4 times a week to suddenly work twice a day for 3 days, so a camp that did one in hand a day and one ridden would be very interesting.
.

 

[Bernster]

I love a good camp ? although I don’t actually camp, apart from that one time which nearly did me in as there was no hook up and it rained the whole time!

Venue - that appeals so there’s a good venue with decent facilities and activities. Keysoe, aston le walls and boomerang were great - boomerang didn’t have much hook up.

Instructors - either ones I know, rate or, in the case of boomerang, famous ones! I wouldn’t normally go for a name but it was Ros canter so yeah that appealed (and she was awesome).

Format - I like a mix of poles/flatwork, sj and xc. Last camp we had 2 days of lessons and the final day we had a fun comp - ride the dressage test (with a bd judge) in a properly set up arena, then a sj round and a pick your own xc, jumping with assistance. The jumping was one after another but the dressage allowed for a kit change.

I don’t mind weekend or weekdays but weekends are better for me.

I’m not as fussed about the extra activities but they often have talks, some kind of physio (people and horses), feed companies and a weigh bridge.

Stabling for the horse and a local bnb for me!

I quite like themed ones e.g. confidence camp.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I also like weekends (Friday-Sunday is best) as otherwise have to take too much leave from work. I like having 2 group lessons in a day otherwise feels like a lot of sitting around not doing much.

I prefer somewhere with XC fences as this is where my confidence is most lacking and my horse has least experience. I also like the idea of poles/gridwork sessions.

would be very interesting to have one lesson be groundwork as suggested above as it’s something I always want to be better at but getting instructors is hard and learning from videos/books just isnt the same!

I’m not hugely bothered by all the extras but some of the talks have been interesting, and having a weighbridge is always useful.

I do like some kind of structured evening activity to try and get to know people. I’m not very good at doing it on my own, but also don’t know anyone who’d come with me to something like that. And in that vein, somewhere with provision for cold/wet weather is ideal as don’t want to be stuck in a tent by my lonesome the whole time if the weather isn’t great.

 

[blitznbobs]

I run camps and they are absolutely exhausting. Run them for 32-40 people and then I always get feedback so tend to tweak things over the years.

my personal favourite is now to run 3 in a group for 1hr15mins. This has been honed over the years as done 4 and 5 in a group and hated it. I now no longer run anywhere with a xc as I run camps aimed at competitive riders competing at 80cm+ so tend to do xc tech instead which is far more useful.
I tend to run - flat, footwork, sjing and xc tech now again after a lot of tweaking.
I now only do breakfast and supper on 2nd night to cut costs but appreciate a lot of people go for a nice horsey time so the food is important. I spend probably £60-70 an hour on trainers whereas a lot of camps run at £30 an hour so I cut costs on food instead. I prefer arrival on Friday and lesson 1 on Friday and lesson 4 on Sunday morning but it’s difficult with trainers as they prefer block bookings and 2 solid days teaching.
My advice is attend several and see what you like. I basically run my ‘perfect’ camp and find a lot of people sign up and agree as I want great training at a very lean cost. I have done every type of camp over the years and none have been the same as I keep tweaking. If I run another camp then I am going to tweak things again as a few things I was not happy with from the one I ran in Feb.
Your biggest issue if new to the game will be getting availability. I tend to book a year in advance and on very popular places you need to be given a slot, I got lucky after being on the waitlist for one camp. I then book trainers around 7-12 months in advance to make sure I get the ones I want. I spend hours on admin for it with risk assessments and insurance. I run mine through BRC so that covers my insurance. I am anal about the groups I put together as well as most people don’t tell you their true abilities.

I have my own venue so availability will not be an issue…I am very much at the planning stage at the moment.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I wish there were more camps for riders like me, who would love to visit different areas for a few days hacking and socialising with new people. (Probably not what you have in mind).

They do exist!

Have a look at Brandy Farm & Top Barn but sure there are others that would do similiar.

I've seen Julia McHugh advertise similiar sounding camps too

 

[mini_b]

I know of a lovely camp if anyone is Yorkshire/north east based if anyone wants to PM. Low key, great for rider confidence/new combos over 3 days.

was only going to PM as don’t want to post my location on public forum!

 

[chaps89]

I would love a ‘jumping for nervous nellies’ camp!

I’ve not done a camp but based on other past experience, groups of bigger than 3 don’t work (particularly out hacking or xc) Though how you can make that profitable I’m not sure.

As has been said up thread, I also often go to things on my own so the chance to socialise with some sort of activity so people don’t stay in the group they came in would be good.

Some sort of heated space so if it’s cold and/or wet riders can dry out/warm up a bit (particularly if then going back to trailers or tents to camp)

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I would love a ‘jumping for nervous nellies’ camp!

Pretty much sums us up ?

 

[Bernster]

Haha me too! Now that covid seeems to be under control ? unless the world goes to hell in a hand basket (eek) then I’ll look for a camp in the SE this summer ?

 

[chaps89]

Pretty much sums us up ?

Well if you do another one maybe I should steal my mums mare and come along as they’re up your direction I think.
edit - just seen Bernsters comment, you should do a HHO one!
Weirdly xc doesn’t scare me but an SJ course terrifies me!
Although you don’t come across as a nervous Nellie ?

 

[Bernster]

Pleeeeeeeease someone do a hho one Although we might actually hate each other IRL haha

 

[Xmasha]

Good food ! I haven’t been on a camp that offers proper food gastro/ pub grub. After riding twice / being cold/wet I’d love a proper meal . Good local instructors that you can use again / follow up with .

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Oh I’m definitely a nervous Nellie! But I’ve found ways round it.

An hho camp is an - erm- interesting idea!!
I do run several a year so if you’re generally interested, pm x

 

[chaps89]

Oh I’m definitely a nervous Nellie! But I’ve found ways round it.

An hho camp is an - erm- interesting idea!!
I do run several a year so if you’re generally interested, pm x

Er yes, rather you than me.
I’ll chat to mum before I go making plans with her horse and maybe drop you a message in due course if that’s ok

 

[mini_b]

I would love a ‘jumping for nervous nellies’ camp!

I’ve not done a camp but based on other past experience, groups of bigger than 3 don’t work (particularly out hacking or xc) Though how you can make that profitable I’m not sure.

As has been said up thread, I also often go to things on my own so the chance to socialise with some sort of activity so people don’t stay in the group they came in would be good.

Some sort of heated space so if it’s cold and/or wet riders can dry out/warm up a bit (particularly if then going back to trailers or tents to camp)

if you’re up north message me! Nervous nelly camp suitable! (Not mine obv!!)

 

[Vodkagirly]

I love Parkend Equestrian camps format. 4 lessons over 2 days. Flat, grid, show jumping and cross country. Brilliant teachers.
Can come the night before but cook own food, small kitchen in the campers flat, or just do the one night. Night in the middle a lovely meal is cooked with lots of puddings and generally a fair bit of gin.
Jacuzzi and swimming pool is great for easing off the aches and chatting to people.
It's my horsey heaven and I have made a lot of friends there.

 

[pistolpete]

I tweak all the time too but our camps are quite niche as they specifically target rider confidence. We spread lessons out over 3 days to give more time for debriefs between rides and have lots of non horse options - yoga, rider massage, confidence coaching. Oh and free wine!

Free wine?! Where do I sign ?. That would boost my confidence!!

 

[Red-1]

I love Parkend Equestrian camps format. 4 lessons over 2 days. Flat, grid, show jumping and cross country. Brilliant teachers.
Can come the night before but cook own food, small kitchen in the campers flat, or just do the one night. Night in the middle a lovely meal is cooked with lots of puddings and generally a fair bit of gin.
Jacuzzi and swimming pool is great for easing off the aches and chatting to people.
It's my horsey heaven and I have made a lot of friends there.

I found their web site, they only feature day camps. It is a bit far for one day, for us.

 

[Red-1]

Oh I’m definitely a nervous Nellie! But I’ve found ways round it.

An hho camp is an - erm- interesting idea!!
I do run several a year so if you’re generally interested, pm x

I think a HHO camp would be ace!

 

[ycbm]

I think a HHO camp would be ace!

Well it has to be at Somerford then, centre of the Horse Camp Universe, and bonus I won't have to travel or pay for stabling . Not that I'm being self centred or anything ? the facilities are truly unbeatable. And I can offer beds to people who don't have sleeping in their horse transport.
.