Day 4 Fun Show

On the fourth day at this camp there will be a fun show for all the campers to participate in and show off their new learned skills to parents, friends and anyone else who may come watch. The campers were given courses and pattens at the end of each of their lessons to learn that would be preformed at the show. There will not be a cross country phase at the show because the riders did not have enough time to work on that part with their horses and there are times in a cross country course when the rider cannot be seen clearly by people. The riders are expected to have their simple dressage test memorized as well as their jumping course.

Riders will be judged on their form and how well they excecuted the course. They will be judged as if it were a real competition and will be placed accordingly. This show is a really fun way to show others what you have learned while at the camp.

I hope you enjoy your time with us!

Day 3 Lesson Plan

On Day 3 the group that was at Show Jumping yesterday will move out to the cross country course. Riders will be required to wear a certified crash vest on the cross country course as well as the helmet they have been wearing at all times while riding the horses.

Day 3 Lesson Plan (75 mins)

Before starting the lesson, the instructor will introduce cross country and tell the riders a little bit about the sport. They will learn how the sport is scored and how they could get penalties. The instructor will really stress that the jumps in cross country do not fall down, unlike show jumping, and that the riders need to set their horses up very good to make the jump. Like they learned yesterday, they will need to bring their horses up to the jump in a straight line keep a steady speed when approaching the jump. The will also go over the 2 point and to release with your hands over the jump so the horse is not jabbed in the mouth.

The warm up will take place in a arena to make sure that riders have control of their horses and they feel comfortable. Because the cross country course is an open field with no boundaries, it is very important to have full control of your horse. Riders will walk their horses for a few minutes to warm up their muscles and then the riders will progress to trotting and cantering their horses in the arena before heading out to the course. (15 mins)

After the riders feel comfortable and in control of their horses, the instructor will lead them out to the course and they will start with some walking and trotting to make sure the horse is still listening and in control. (5 mins)

The instructor will take the riders to a spot in the course that has some small jumps and they will be once again reminded about what they have to do when jumping (come in straight, 2 point, release etc.). Then one at a time the riders will go over one jump and receive feedback from the instructor after they jump. They will practice this for a while on a couple of different small jumps one at a time. (30 mins)

Once the riders are taking their horses over these single jumps in a controlled and proper manner, the instructor will pick two small jumps and tell the riders to go over them both. The instructor will tell them that if they feel their horse getting a little bit out of control, then to stop and not go over the second jump. Horses can get very excited and sometimes out of control when they are out in a open space. Each rider will go over these jumps one at a time and will receive feedback on how they did from the instructor. (20 mins)

For a cool down riders will walk their horses back to the arena and then walk them inside the arena for a few minutes. (5 mins)

Day 2 Lesson Plan

The Group that was at the dressage ring yesterday will move to the Show Jumping arena today.

Day 2 Lesson Plan (75 mins)
Before beginning the lesson, the instructor will teach the riders about the components of showjumping. They will learn about the rules and penalties that can be given in this sport. Riders will be reminded about the skills they learned yesterday in Dressage. The instructor will go over posting trot and the proper aids riders learned to get their horse to do certain desired tasks. They will go over cantering and the aids that it takes to get the horse to canter.

A warm up will consist of walking the horse around for a few minutes to warm up and stretch his/her muscles and then doing some transitions from walk to trot. The riders will do some circles and halt transitions to get the horse listening and then they will start into the lesson. (10 mins)

Starting into the lesson, the instructor will set out some poles on the ground for the riders to trot over. The instructor will teach the riders about a 2 point. The riders will be expected to do a posting trot up to the poles and then go into a 2 point over the poles. This teaches the rider what position they are supposed to be in as they go over jumps. (15 mins)

Next the instructor will put up a small cross rail and ask the riders to do a posting trot up to the cross rail and then, looking ahead and not at the jump, go into a 2 point and the horse will go over the jump. The instructor will also tell the riders that they need to approach the jump in a straight line. This will allow the horse to see the jump and prepare for it. Another important thing when jumping is to release with your hands a little bit so the horse is not jabbed in the mouth when going over the jump. New jumpers could hold onto the mane while going over the jump for extra balance when they are starting out. After everyone goes over once, the instructor will explain about being "ahead" and "behind" the horse. When the rider is "ahead" of the horse he or she goes into the 2 point position to early and it will slightly throw the horse off balance. When the rider is "behind" the horse he or she did not go into the 2 point position soon enough and is left behind the horse.
The instructor will get the riders to go over the cross rail again and try not to be ahead or behind the horse. (20 mins)

Next the instructor will set up a small course of cross rail fences and the riders will ride this course at a trot one at a time. The Riders will do this course a few times and the instructor will give them feedback on their performance each time. (25 mins)

A cool down will consist of walking the horses around the ring on a loose rein. (5 mins)


The course above will also be the course ridden at the Fun Show.

Day 1 Lesson Plan

Campers will be split up into three groups of about 5 and assigned a horse that they will ride and care for all the time that they are here. Campers will be put with people of their experience level. There will be one lesson a day over three days at the camp and the fourth day at the camp will be a fun show between the campers. The three sections that the groups will rotate to are Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country. Where the groups start will depend on their experience and comfort level.

If there is a beginner group, they will start out at the Dressage ring. This is a good place for them to start because basic dressage is just learning to control and work with your horse.

First Lesson Day 1 (75 mins.)

To begin, riders will learn about the rules of dressage and what dressage is. They will learn that balance and suppleness is very important and that the connection between horse and rider is extremely important.

A warm up will consist of walking their horses around the outside of the ring to allow the horses to warm up their muscles and then practicing some walk-to-halt transitions. Once the riders can get their horses doing this transition smoothly, then they will practice 10m and 20m circles in both directions practicing getting their horses to bend. (10 min.)

After the Basic Warm Up, riders will be told to ask their horses to trot, the second gait, for one length of the arena and then asked to stop and discuss how they feel at that speed. If they are comfortable they will be asked to continue trotting around the arena and will practice their sitting and posting trot. Riders will be asked to do many figure 8's, circles and changes of direction in the trot at this time. (20 mins.)

After working at the trot for a while riders will be asked to canter their horses one at a time around the perimeter of the ring. (If they are not comfortable, then they do not have to do this) The proper aids will be explained and then the riders will try it one at a time. (1o mins)

When everyone is finished cantering the group will be briefed about the letters around the arena and how to ride a dressage pattern. Then they will each get to practice and ride a simple dressage pattern that the instructor is calling out. Usually dressage patterns will be memorized but there is not time right now. Also at this time, the riders will be given a dressage pattern to learn over the next few days in preparation for the Fun Show on the fourth day. (30 mins)


The Cool Down consist of walking the horse on a loose rein for a couple rounds of the ring and then walking him/her back to the barn. (5 mins)

A good way to remember the letters of the dressage ring is to remember the sentence:

All King Edward's Horses Can Make Big Fences.