WHAT IS THE GOAL OF TRIPLE CROWN HORSEMANSHIP CAMP RESIDENTAL CAMP?
Our goal is to provide you with a unique learning experience that promotes life skills as well as horsemanship skills. Our program focuses on safe and responsible care and treatment of horses, while providing you with a feeling of accomplishment from learning and growing together and an opportunity to just have fun. We encourage attitudes of teamwork and sportsmanship and promote each campers individuality and self-confidence.
HOW WILL MY CHILD'S SKILLS BE ASSESSED? HOW WILL A HORSE BE ASSIGNED?
Classes at the riding camp are taught by riding instructors with years of experience. Students at the riding camp are evaluated through a personal interview on the night of arrival by meeting with all directors and counselors and placed into classes the following morning with riders of the same ability. The horses are selected and trained to match a wide range of riding levels. The horse, saddle, blankets, and bridles will be yours for the week.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL I SPEND WITH MY HORSE DURING THE DAY?
The camp offers approximately six hours a day of riding including grooming, tacking, untacking, and caring for their "own" horse for the week. There is typically a maximum of 6 students in each riding session. Beginner riders may spend some of this time learning the basics of horse care and stable management in addition to receiving ample riding time to meet their needs. Students must pass a riding skills test in order to go on trail rides if weather and other conditions allow for a trail ride during the week.
WHO WILL I RIDE WITH?
Using the indoor and outdoor rings we split into two riding groups based on rider skills to ensure the safety of both horses and riders. Beginner riders will work on skills such as L-A-T-E-R and L-L-R (you have to join us to learn what these mean ). Intermediate riders will focus on more detailed skills and often work to complete a pattern to highlight their individual skills. If you bring a friend with you we try very hard to be sure that you are in the same riding groups, but please understand that this may not be the best alternative depending on the riders' abilties.
WHAT WILL I BE LEARNING WHEN I RIDE?
Beginner riders we will be focusing on the basic skills required to safely work around and ride horses. We will be learning how important it is to "shake hands with your horse", move your body with your horse - not against it, keep your body in a line, help your horse to bend, and RELAX and enjoy the experience. As intermediate riders you will be focusing on using your entire body to communicate with your horse in many different situations including side passing, turning on the forehand and haunches, Granny Walking, and so much more. Please know that we DO NOT jump our horses and that we DO NOT lope our horses around the ring just for fun. There is so much more to riding than going around the ring continuously at the lope/canter. We help you become riders that think and riders that your horse enjoys!
HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE SHOULD I HAVE TO ATTEND CAMP?
We have found that your experience level is truly not a factor! The most important thing is that you come with a true desire to spend the week with horses: riding, caring for them, and learning about them. We have had beginners through intermediate riders and all have enjoyed the experiences.
ARE THE HORSES RIGHT ON THE CAMP SITE OR DO WE HAVE TO TRAVEL TO GET THEM?
The horses are RIGHT here! In fact, when you are sleeping you can usually hear the horses in the pastures around you. You truly are staying on a horse farm!
WHAT IF I DO NOT OWN MY OWN HARDHAT AND/OR BOOTS?
We have a variety of ASTM SEI approved hardhats and riding boots for your use. If you have your own equipment, including your own saddle, please feel free to bring it, but if you dont we will take care of you!
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Complete the reservation and follow the directions shown on that page.