Eland Lodge Camp and ODE

[Ambers Echo]

Just back from an awesome 3 days in my favourite place with my favourite people. We are lucky that we have Somerford Park Farm on our doorstep but nothing beats the friendliness of Eland Lodge.

Over 2 days we did a lesson each of dressage, SJ and XC then on the 3rd day we all did a full but non competitive ODE. You had to choose which test to ride and they have dressage judges in to mark them. We also chose what height SJ and XC and we could mix and match - ie SJ 90 and XC 100 or vice versa. Or even jump some 90 XC fences and some 100 ones - or totally miss out a fence if you wanted to. Just a complete pix and mix ODE. We just had to decide on the evening of day 2 what we were doing. It's really well run with fence judges etc.

I decided to treat it as a 90 mainly but jumped the last 5 fences on the XC at 100. And I did BE 95 which the test I have done most this season.

Camp was awesome and I thought Amber might be tired by day 3. but she was absolutely bouncing out of her skin! We did a much better test and even though I think they were pretty generous with the marking, I scored well compared to others who normally score higher than me.

Then 4 faults SJ and clear XC. Really happy with that! Next stop Frickley......

"Room with a view".....

 

[Wheels]

Aww, this is fabulous! Really pleased to read it went well and I'm a little envious of this type of camp!

Well done

 

[DressageCob]

Sounds great! You're right - Somerford is fab but Eland is the friendliest XC venue out there.

 

[Fiona]

Oh wow AE it sounds amazing x x

Well done you.

Did the girls and Mr AE manage without you?

Fiona

 

[BenvardenRach2]

Sounds amazing AE, can't wait to see the photos!! Did you go with your girls too ?
I received my itinerary for camp yesterday, just made me even more giddy!! x

 

[Ambers Echo]

It's an adult camp so girls were at school. But they are doing their summer pony club camp at Eland at the beginning of August. BvR you will have an awesome time. It is so relaxed and friendly and Ronnie's food is gorgeous. Do you know who your instructors are yet?

 

[BenvardenRach2]

It's an adult camp so girls were at school. But they are doing their summer pony club camp at Eland at the beginning of August. BvR you will have an awesome time. It is so relaxed and friendly and Ronnie's food is gorgeous. Do you know who your instructors are yet?

Ah ofcourse it is - duuuhh!!!
Yes i do!!

SJ - Ann Hunter
Dressage - Sarah Thorpe
XC - Mark Cramb

I'm not from the area and don't know the instructors at all but I'm sure they'll be great! xx

 

[Ambers Echo]

Ann Hunter is brilliant - former international showjumper. Great coach if a bit scary!!
Sarah is a judge so very good at knowing what they are looking for..
Mark Cramb is an eventer and an absolute hoot. He is hilarious and is brilliant at building confidence.

You will have an amazing time.

 

[BenvardenRach2]

Ann Hunter is brilliant - former international showjumper. Great coach if a bit scary!!
Sarah is a judge so very good at knowing what they are looking for..
Mark Cramb is an eventer and an absolute hoot. He is hilarious and is brilliant at building confidence.

You will have an amazing time.

Oh brill that sounds great!!

I'm mainly hoping to build on our jump confidence at camp, we both really enjoy it but Rocky is such a wimp when it comes to fillers in SJ he really needs so much confidence from me.
I'm sure it'll be a blast regardless

We are staying the night before as it s 4hr journey so want him to have a settled night before cracking on on thursday!
x

 

[Ambers Echo]

Well I've got some unofficial pics but I think the photographer had been on the vino - One of Amber's feet over a jump and that's it .

None of us on the FB page either so no pics to share. Next time....!!

 

[abbijay]

Well done AE! One of my buddies was there with you, got a lovely skewbald called Bruce. She was raving about camp too (and sending pictures of dressage test learning with a glass of gin in her hand!). I have tended to do Somerford camp as it's so close to home (I can nip back to the yard or pop in on the kids if I wish) but this certainly looks worth travelling to.

 

[Ambers Echo]

I've been to a few Somerford camps too and you can't beat the facilities. But Eland is more friendly and relaxed. Though I guess that depends on which camps you do. Next year a group of friends and I are doing a DIY Somerford camp. Just booking our own stabling, booking our own instructors and eating in a local pub. I am really looking forward to that.

 

[abbijay]

I've been to a few Somerford camps too and you can't beat the facilities. But Eland is more friendly and relaxed. Though I guess that depends on which camps you do. Next year a group of friends and I are doing a DIY Somerford camp. Just booking our own stabling, booking our own instructors and eating in a local pub. I am really looking forward to that.

Sounds like a great plan (although nearest pub is quite a drive away). If you are a group one thing we've done previously is to get one of the indian restaurants from Congleton to provide the food. Camp is not for cooking, take out all the way!