DOES YOUR CHILD WANT TO BE THE BEST RIDER SHE CAN BE?
Then our 'Equestrian' Camp is the perfect HORSE CAMP for your rider !
Best of all, it's suited to all ages, all abilities, and all rider types!
So what is 'Equestrian Camp'?
Riding English is probably the most attractive riding discipline
for young girls, simply because most youngsters love the thought of
jumping and 'looking the part' of the well outfitted English rider.
They've all spent time watching Ian Millar and Eric Lamaze do their
best for Canada, and of course, everyone has seen the Olympics!
So Equestrian camp is a camp geared towards kids who want to
learn good English basics, spend lots of time learning and training,
and by weeks' end, become either a. more comfortable riding English
or b. improve existing English Riding Skills! Good riding takes LOTS
of practice, and the kids get so much riding time here, it's impossible
not to improve and expand skills over the course of the week!
Good English riding begins with good 'Flatwork'!
Most kids take easily to English
Our daily lessons for campers are taught in one
of our two arenas, under the guidance of our
instructors, and are put into groups for their
level. Up to four hours of riding per day will
quickly improve riding! Of course, there's
lots of hacking on our gorgeous trails, and we
combine the groups for some fun and games -
just to liven things up a bit! Everyone gets their
own horse for the week, and kids learn to be
'independent' so that with a bit of help along
the way, by weeks end they are able to groom
and tack their own horse, and ride with more
confidence and pride than they ever imagined!
Practice makes Perfect!
Equestrian camp of course, will include some jumping!
From beginner level jumping to advanced course work, we've got your camper covered!
Our friendly horses and gorgeous fences are there for the avid riders who are capable
and ready for the 'jumping' portion of our camp. Again, with the levels split to accommodate
all riding levels, we can expand riding skills to a whole new level, no matter what their experience.
Yes, it's for beginners too!
As a coach, I thoroughly enjoy seeing the small fry's
improving their riding. Our camp is a great stepping
stone to regular lessons, or a great addition to them!
Horses love good riders too - because riders are better
able to communicate, and horses really do love precision.
Riding well is the result of hard work - and a week here
really encourages even young students to work hard and
have a strong focus on being a skilled, independent rider.
Kids love structure, and with a strong program, progress
becomes easier. There isn't a child in the world who doesn't
see the quick benefits of learning to ride with good basics.
Our program is definitely a good camp for hard workers!
Equestrian Camp is very suited to young riders.
Dressage? At Camp??
From a proper warmup and cool down to
learning suppleness, impulsion and rhythm, we
cover all the basics to encourage proper riding
skills & technique with some focus on dressage!
Presented in a fun & interesting format - dressage is
something that everyone can enjoy! In fact, the best way
to a good jump is through dressage. Our campers will
enjoy
their riding and the basics will be
presented in a
way that is fun & easy to learn - confidence building,
so that our campers (and the horses!) will benefit!
It's not as hard as it sounds, and it has huge benefits!
Fun for All Ages, and All Levels!
Whether your daughter is ready to learn
to canter or just starting to trot, we've got
something for them. We've taught beginners
and they always seem to really relax and enjoy
the quiet horses and the quality facilities.
We've put alot of smiles on little faces over
the years, and we've got the horsepower to do it!
A young lady's FIRST canter - on our trusty 'Cowboy'
A typical day at Camp
After grooming & tacking in the morning, campers head to the
ring for a two hour lesson. Lunch is followed by an additional
1.5 to 2 hrs in the afternoon, and on some days, just a pleasant
afternoon hack out on the trails.
Then the kids take care of the
horses and turn out, with lots of pats and apples during the process!
Our barn set up means virtually no chores, so the kids get lots of
quality time with their mount, then kick back and relax in the pool!
Everyone loves relaxing on a hack now and then, as you can see!
The ultimate goal - riding with HARMONY.
Learning to ride well takes time. Confidence
comes from repetition and learning proper
balance, and
to have an 'independent seat'
(riders using their bodies without losing balance)
and we're very good at keeping kids motivated
and expanding their skills. Steering and control,
proper use of the aids, and correcting those little
bad habits that pop up along the way - riding
can be a passion that lasts a lifetime - and going
to camp shouldn't just be about 'putting time' in
on horseback. We firmly feel that their week here
should be a time to learn, and improve riding skills.
We love watching our students progress, even though
they are here for a short stay. Campers often come
back year after year, and it's so much fun to see them
year after year, and be a part of their improvement!
Dedicated riders are the best fit for camp!
Jumping with balance and rhythm = FUN!
Anyone who has ever ridden loves to jump!
For riders who are ready, the lessons will focus
on improving rhythm and balance, so that the
campers favorite 'sport' will soon become very
enjoyable - a balanced rider means a smooth jump,
and jumping is MUCH easier when rider and
horse get things together and ride with rhythm.
From counting strides to learning distances to
practicing courses and turns - we cover it all!
Even kids who jump all the time will enjoy this camp.
OF COURSE WE HAVE TO SWIM!
There are a variety of lakes close to the farm,
and we have an 18' pool for convenience.
After getting warmed up in the ring or on the
trails, our campers cancool off and
enjoy some downtime from riding.
Of course, like all our camps - there is plenty of riding time!
Our horses know the ropes, and are well trained and
friendly critters that are safe for all riding levels.
Our camp is one that focuses on lots of riding time,
because kids love to ride - no crafts here! It's
all about the horses and that's how our campers
progress so rapidly in their riding. It's been
said
many times to us, by parents, that their kids came
home from camp with more confidence, new focus,
and much improved riding skills - it's because we
RIDE & RIDE!
As always, we go for full
immersion! From our cozy cabin
with nightly crackling campfire
in an on farm wilderness
campsite ~ to our nightly ritual
of goofing around & relaxing
by a roaring fire or watching a
movie - it's an atmosphere
that's proven itself to be a
popular
teenage experience!
There's room
for everyone
in this spacious cabin
- but
no
fighting over the couch!
Relaxing at night and enjoying
marshmallows is a main attraction
of all our horse camps!
Click here for a downloadable application form,
and a list of what to bring to horse camp.
Follow this link to a page we've made highlighting all the greatest tack stores
just in case you wish to purchase something for your child's summer horse camp
experience. We'd like to help you outfit your campers within budget!
For more information on how to sign up,
please contact
Highland Wilderness Tours
Matt & Penny Nicol, Box 211,
Maynooth, Ontario, K0L 2S0
1-613-338-2330 or toll free
1-866-RYD-WILD
info@ridethewilderness.com