Long Weekend Camp Program
What to Pack:
An old pair of jeans, jodhpurs or tracksuit pants, 2 polo-shirts (to protect your neck and shoulders from the sun), 2 warm jumpers and a very warm wind-proof jacket;
Riding boots (or school shoes – anything with a smooth sole and a slight heel);
2 pairs of socks and underwear.
Tooth-brush and tooth-paste;
Sun hat & sun-glasses (optional);
Warm pyjamas (beanie, mittens and slippers in winter).
(All bed linen, bath towels & personal soaps are already here ready for you).
If its easier to arrive on the Friday afternoon from 4.30 pm onwards, it’s an extra $50 pp.
Saddle Camp Program
Day 1
9.00 Arrive and settle in. Choose your horse. Learn how to catch, tie up and feed.
9.30 Learn how to groom a horse.
10.00 Learn how to saddle up.
10.30 Morning tea.
11.15 Group Riding Lessons – Line of Balance, how to hold the reins, walk, trot, stop and steer. Or progress your skills if you have already learnt the basics.
12.30 Learn the points of a horse.
1.00 Lunch.
1.30 Mounted games – a chance to put all your new skills into action - Ball & Racket Race, Diamond Flag Race and Bounce Pony.
2.30 Harness up Champ and learn how to drive a pony & gig.
3.30 pm Natural Horsemanship & Riding Bareback. Learn to communicate on the horse’s level, so you can build a partnership for the rest of your stay. Definitely not showing him Who’s Boss!
4 pm Unsaddle Horses and let them go for the night.
4.30 pm If it’s hot we’ll head down to the Bombay Swimming Holes for a dip, or into town to use the pool. Otherwise, showers & making yourself at home.
6.00 Dinner & Movie.
7.30 Spotlighting Tour.
8.30 Hot Chocolates & popcorn with a movie.
Saddle Camp Program
Day 2
7.30 Breakfast.
8.30 Catch horses, feed and saddle up.
9.30 Picnic Trail Ride – a 5 kilometre ride around the property.
11.30 Learn how to plait manes, braid tails and prepare your horse for a show.
12.30 Lunch.
1.30 Learn how to present your horse in a leading class.
2.00 Learn how to best compete in a riding class.
2.15 Learn and ride a Dressage Test.
2.45 Show Jumping lesson and competition.
3.15 Party Games on Horseback - Walk & Trot Race, Egg & Spoon Race, Musical Chairs, Grooming Kit Race, Nut & Bolt Race, Golf Ball Race, Ribbon Race and Apple Bobbing.
4.00 - Put horses away.
4.30 - Afternoon tea and showers.
6.00 - Dinner
7.00 - Jumping Under the Stars. Build our own jumping and obstacle course in the flood-lit sand arena.
8.00 - Hot Chocolates and Popcorn
Monday
7.00 - Breakfast and getting ready.
8.00 - Catch horses, feed and saddle up.
9.00 - Compete in more Gymkhana Games – including the Barrel Race, Bending, Bend Bar Aft, Bounce Pony & Candy Steady
12.00 Lunch
1.00 - Ride down to Shoalhaven River swimming holes for a dip and an afternoon tea picnic. Practice Road Rules & your Signs & Commands as we go.
4.00 - Ribbons, Certificates and Trophy will be presented. The trophy will be awarded to the Best Horse Person over the 3 Days - displaying consideration for their horse, kindness towards other riders and enthusiasm for learning more about horses.
N.B. The Saddle Camp Program has been designed for beginners. There is absolutely no prior experience necessary! But as you get more experienced and confident, we can make it as challenging as you’d like.
There is a maximum of 4 girls staying at the Camp, the horses are experienced and enjoy their work, and the Instructor, Helen Faulkner, is a qualified Riding Instructor, with 24 years teaching experience in her own riding school (and 2 years in others). She is also our cook (Cert III Commercial Cooking), and there is always food at hand for whenever you get hungry!