Camp Postcards

last year we asked to hear all about your summer camp experiences! here are some of your letters.

summer I went to horse camp for three weeks this best parts at Fantasia Farm in Kentucky. One of the on the (besides riding) was working in the barn and I made. farm. But the very best part was all the friends We did all kinds of stuff, like making horseshoe and slime. picture frames, snow globes, tie-dye T-shirts to ride bareback. We had several lessons a day and even got out English. We I usually ride western but got to try horses. worked in the barns mucking stalls and feeding the fields. At We also helped bring the horses in from with three the end of each week, we got to have a show I was in categories: beginner, intermediate and advanced. friends. the advanced category with a bunch of my side even if My advice is to always look on the positive to try something you have a bad ride and to always be willing you’re scared of. This year was my fifth year at Camp Wings of Eagles Ranch. It was unlike any other year of camp. In the week I was there, I rode the horse that me and my family will probably buy. I couldn’t have asked for a better summer this year! A tip for other riders is to be flexible about the way you ride and adapt to riding new horses. Every horse that you ride, be confident and strong. I attended two weeks of riding camp this year. During camp, I practiced hunter/jumper skills and learned horsemanship. I also went trail riding, played polo, did archery on horseback, practiced driving, prepared a routine vaulting with a camp team, and did camp activities, like swimming and crafts. I loved the new experiences I had at camp and doing things that I don’t get to do at the barn or during lessons. My advice for other campers is don’t be afraid to try new things, but also know your limits. Sometimes you will surprise yourself at how much fun you can have (or how good you can be) at something you’ve never tried. But it’s always OK to tell your instructors if you don’t feel comfortable doing something.

This summer I went to Forrestel Riding Camp and rode a sweet horse named Mercedes. While I was at camp, I rode twice a day for four hours every day. I mastered my diagonals and learned how to canter and properly clean my bit. I was only there for a week, but as soon as I got home I needed (not wanted, NEEDED) to get back on a horse. I normally ride once a week, but I am there for hours! After going to Forrestel, my riding will be so much better. If I had to give advice to other campers, have fun and make some friends. I made two friends who I will remember forever. I fell in love with Mercedes the same way you’ll fall in love with your camp horse. This is probably a little different than most my people’s camp postcards. That’s because mom runs a barn and runs pony camps be a in the summer, which means I get to camp counselor! It’s an interesting position in, and I have learned a lot by teaching to be kids at camp. It’s so much fun to watch to and help people learn about horses. I get because demonstrate a lot during these camps, favorite I’m fairly experienced with horses. My part of all of our camps is the last day, learned when the campers show what they’ve to their parents and families. I didn’t go to an overnight camp, but I went to my ranch’s summer camps for two weeks. I think it’s cool that you don’t get to choose a horse to ride unless you lease a horse, so you ride different types of horses that you usually wouldn’t get to. It’s also a fun difference to be in a large group if you’re someone like me that usually rides in a private lesson. You also get an instructor that you may not usually ride with, so it’s interesting to try out different teaching methods. Horse management taught is also at a lot of camps, and it’s always fascinating to learn a thing or two that you didn’t already know and that will expand your horse knowledge.