Is this a daft idea - taking a horse to camp that can't jump

MrsMozart

MrsMozart

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As you will no doubt already know (sorry, I realise I've become a bit of a bore on the subject :o), Dizzy can't jump any more - well, not physically-can't-jump, but not-allowed-to-as-there-is-a-good-chance-she-will-break-can't-jump.

Anyhoo, we were booked in to Eland Camp last year, but I broke my back the week before! and they kindly let D1 take the Dizz. Lots of fun for the pair of them, including show jumping and a bit of cross-country, which was Dizz's one and only time going cross-country. I was gutted to say the least, but pleased that D1 and Dizz had a good few days.

This year, I'm thinking of booking the Dizz and I in again...

I know we can't do the jumping, but I was thinking we can do the dressage bit and we could go round the cross-country section, just not go over the jumps, and during the show jumping session, I could help move jumps etc., though Friend has said that if she takes Big Cob I could have a wee jump on him. Also, if I pay a bit extra, I might be able to have a flat work session whilst the others are doing the show jumping.

Sorry for the essay. Just trying to decide if I'm batty or not for thinking about doing it as described.

I have to say, it's made me feel a bit excited and like I have something to aim for (who me? goal orientated?? not at all..... :eek::rolleyes:), though if I did go for it, I wouldn't be packing until the night before!!

Edited to say: I'm not sure if this should be in Comp Riders or NL, but I guess my comptitive nature is starting to poke through a bit more now (no idea why!), and I will have a go at dressage... I look good in the gear :D :D :D. I'll check with the vets as to just what I should be okay doing with the Dizz :D
 
Why not? You can still enjoy the flatwork and hacking around the xc course and I am sure the organisers will be very grateful for an extra pair of hands. You will still be able to enjoy the social side too......!
Also, if where the camp is offers lessons, could you book yourself some extra flatwork sessions whilst the others are jumping?
Enjoy!
 
People go to our RC camp and don't do XC, but to have to miss two sections is a lot. Could you pay extra for stabling and take your daughter's mare too?

Do bear in mind that its a lot of stress on your back doing all those sessions a day... From that point of view it may be better to do less sessions?
 
Definately do it. I went to horse camp with Frankie and we just did dressage lessons - there will probably be an option to just do flatwork! :D
 
I think most camps (unless its a jumping specialist one of course!) allow you to have 1 flatwork one jumping lesson a day or 2 flatwork ones.Activ riders do a dressage specialist one and the British Dressage goup do camps as well.
 
Thank you for your thoughts :D :D

I'm not sure how riding fit I'll be by then, so missing sections may not bother me too much. I think they'd probably let me have extra flat lessons if I'm up to it :D.

Can't take GM as I don't think I'm a good enough rider for her :eek:. She is very sensitive and very sharp, which D1 is doing fine with, but to be honest, I've been through all that umpteen times, including Dizz, and now I want to have fun and am happy with what Dizz may throw at me, but not wonder if I'll come back with or without the horse! :eek::rolleyes:
 
Go for it, the camp i went to two years ago had a few that didn't want to jump so they did an obstacle course lesson for them which was really fun. The one i did last year it was all flat work but you could pay to have a xc lesson or use the showjumps in your spare time.
 
Just go and do it you! You will have a fantastic time!

One camp I did a girl didn't even ride get horse, just did the lessons in hand, no one cared and she was enjoying herself!
 
go for it, if you are happy to do the flat work the dizz will be too so go and have fun :D you never know someone may let you have a jump of their horse as well (I know it may not be the same)
just dont forget to let us know how it goes ;) :D
 
Get yourself off.

and don't come back without pictures! :D

So long as you enjoy yourself, besides you are still paying to go so Eland won't give dam, your money is as good as anyone elses and no doubt you'll enjoy helping out and they will be thankful for your help.
 
Would your horse still be able to do pole work? You say she could still do the flat etc ...


You might be able to ride when the others are jumping, do all the same warm up etc. You could always ask if they could do them as poles on the floor so you still get to ride a course, ride through fillers etc?
I don't jump due to injury but I used to do that on camps - the warm up exercises can be just as beneficial.

If not I'm sure they'd appreciate the extra hands anyway and you should go for it.
 
I'd definitely go for it - our riding club organise all sorts of sessions during camp including arenacraft (on foot without horses) "have a go" stuff including shetland pairs driving, sidesaddle (all on ponies brought by the people running it) Le Trec tasters, groundwork sessions - spookbusting, or general manners type stuff, so there's always loads to do without jumping.
It's also something to aim for (I've followed your back and Dizz's stories from a distance!)
I hope you go and have a fantastic time!
 
I went to adult camp last year and didn't do any jumping - 'cos I can't do it yet. I did the flat work lessons, hacked and joined in the fun days.

Definitely go and have fun - it will give you something to aim for :D
 
Oooh do it, enjoy it and have a ball and remember to take plenty of pics :D It sounds like all you needed was a gentle shove, plus I think we'd get a good report back from you and it might be the shove to get me doing one :o
 
HollyB66 said:
I went to adult camp last year and didn't do any jumping - 'cos I can't do it yet. I did the flat work lessons, hacked and joined in the fun days.

Definitely go and have fun - it will give you something to aim for :D
Click to expand...

Are you planning one this year? :)
 
I have confirmation that we are holding a Dressage/non jumping adult camp from 16th - 18th August this year at Eland Lodge, The summer schedules will be out soon and camp details will be put on the website when theyre finalised :)
 
Thankies Thankies Thankies :D :D :D

Barring floods and disasters (and broken bits!), Friend and I will be going to two camps...

Will no doubt have lots of pictures :D.

However, I am not packing until the night before, or quite possibly the morning of! :eek::rolleyes::cool::D
 
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