Pony camp for grown ups?

abbijay

abbijay

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I never got to do pony camp as a kid (because I didn't get my own horse until I was 25 and my parents couldn't afford to send me on a riding school type holiday). I would love to have a go now but all the horse camps I've seen advertised are just 2 dressage lessons, a SJ lesson and an XC lesson!
Why can't I find one that offers the chance to do pony games or handy pony or have a go at western riding or sidesaddle? Surely I'm not the only person who thinks age is a number not a lifestyle choice!!! My "pony" and I do compete but it's more about having fun than training under top names for us.
Ideally i would like to go to Somerford (it is so close to home in case the kids & hubby need me) but willing to travel for a really fun outing.
 
The one I went to last summer (and am going again this yr) is a bit of each :)
Half was lessons (flat, sj, xc) and half fun stuff to choose from, such as pole work, grids, trec practice, musical ride, use of any facilities to do as you wish or to simply buzz off & go hacking as the scenery is brilliant.

I think gymkhana games (tho very appealing) could be the end of me, as my dear fuzzy would be quicker than me, thus leaving me at a disadvantage ;)
However, its right 'dahn sarf'
 
Just been to one run by the BHS and the DAC (Army) was lots of fun! The BHS so quite a few if u contact your area person :)

Also went on a riding holiday camp type thing last year at Wellington Riding. That was awesome too :D
 
Do you have a local riding club near to you? Our riding club does a summer camp every year. Confess I haven't been on it but I hear it's a lot of fun!
 
I did camp a couple of times as a child (on borrowed nags) - I would LOVE to do "camp" as an adult, complete with all the fun stuff (but with proper toilets and shower facilities! ;) ).

One of the reasons I love my instructor right now is that she makes her lessons as fun as pony club.
 
I used to do camp a lot as a kid, but now we really want to go to an adult one! But I want one with all the games and things, not sure where to start looking :(
 
I'm sensing a gap in the market!!
I might try contacting some of the camp organisers to explain there are quite a few of us out there who don't need coaches who ride to GP level or have been round Badminton. I'd be just as happy with a pony club instructor to play games with us!
 
There's an annual camp in Cheshire that would fit all your bills! I am off for my fourth time next month, and we have loads of fun doing drill riding to music, TREC, gymkhana games, all sorts! If you google New Barn at Ollerton, or the Modern Horse, details on there. This years' is fully booked though I believe.
 
You might also like to contact Jane at Active Rider (google active rider) she organises lots of camps and if she thinks there is a gap in th market, I'm sure she'd be interested.
 
Im off to Bobbis Horse Camp at Somerford next month, been once before and its great fun. Learned a lot last time and the fun and games in the evenings are brilliant. Havent played Rounders since I was at school until last year. Can't want for August 18th!
 
We have a senior riding camp at my RS every August .. I did it first in 2012 and got a broken collarbone on day 1 en route to do my dressage practice.. Waited to see if the pain would ease..it didn't and ended up in a&e. Last year I missed day 1 as I was driving back from Ireland but I did the 2nd day .. We do a show jump course a dressage test, X country..fell off as horse decided not to jump and sent me on ahead alone but got back on and finished it as didn't get hurt, and a working hunter course. Had a really great time. Not sure if I can do this year yet..want to though :)
 
*Whinney* said:
I too would love to do this. I'm in my early forties and haven't given up hope.
Click to expand...

I was 40 this summer, going on my first ever adult horse camp next month, and not just one, but 2!
One is a 4 day residential and the other is a 2 day local day release!

Very excited as been wanting to go the last 3 years but the horse had other ideas with accidents and illnesses so look out now ive planned and booked two in one month

Did have an own a pony 5 day camp when i was little as we couldnt afford to buy one so went to a trekking centre for lessons etc and had one there which was great fun but this is proper training boot camp :D


CHESHIRE active rider camps
http://www.activerider.co.uk/camp_dates.php
 
Definitely a gap in the market! I think it may be time to get to work on my YO as a RS client friend of mine wondered if they would do adult stable management lessons, and I recently asked if my weekly lesson could be a fun session for my :P "big" birthday with some handy horse type activities...and we ended up with a fab over 40's gymkhana! Yep, seems quite a few of us missed out in our youth through no fault of our own, and want to have fun with our equines.
 
I'm going to one, although not sure on the Gymkhana ext but apparently theres lots of fun and games of an evening swell as the usual show jumping xc dressage lessons, plus hacking ext
 
I go to Grassroots camp at Plumpton College but we don't do gymkhana which is very sad. But it is great fun even without gymkhana. I didn't start riding till I was 37 so I would also love to go to fun camp with plenty of games. And horse ball would be fab too.
 
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