Spring Down Equestrian Center

Horsemanship Camps

We offer one to two week long horsemanship camps in Spring, Winter, and Summer. Our complete program groups riders according to experience, but no experience is needed to participate. We teach riding, horsemanship and horse care under the care of our knowledgeable instructors and helpers in small, interactive groups. Minimum suggested age for our campers is 6 years old, and there really is no maximum age!

Campers will learn:

  • Basic horsemanship fundamentals (grooming, tack up and care)
  •  

    Caroline's Happy
    Horse Day

    A one day camp for intermediate riders

    Next Scheduled Session:
    September 26, 2010
    from 10:00-2:00

    Topics include:

    • Proper tack up
    • Putting boots and different kinds of wraps on a horse’s legs
    • What our horses eat and supplements they eat
    • Horse show preparation and riding in a show
    • Much more

    Learn more...

    		  
    Barn and horse safety, basic vaulting techniques
  • Horse psychology and why they do funny things
  • Proper mounting and dismounting
  • Riding instruction and proper position
  • Watch live demonstrations by the owner
  • Identifying different horse breeds and learn the parts of a horse
  • Learn all about taking care of your own horse
  • Walk/trot and walk/trot/canter groups available for those riders with more experience

Hours for Winter, Spring and Summer camps are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm. Extended day care is available. There are also daily arts and crafts projects (horse related, of course!)

Winter, Spring and Summer Camps Overview:
Spend an intensive and fun one or two week session with one of our 50 well trained school horses! Learn how to ride or improve your horsemanship skills during our program. Riders are grouped according to experience, but no experience is needed to attend our camps. Our knowledgeable instructors and helpers will teach you all about horses working in small, interactive groups to give you hands on experience with your horse. You will spend lots of time working around the horses and understanding how they think and feel. Bring a friend to learn about our wonderful world of horses!

As an extra incentive to sign up for a Spring Down camp this year, any participant who signs up for a full week of Winter or Spring camp, or a full two week session of Summer camp will also get a certificate for a free riding lesson, and a spring down t-shirt!!!

Winter Camp 2010
$425 for 5 days
Download Winter Camp application, medical information and hold harmless form (PDF document)
Time: 9:00-1:00
Dates:

  • February 15 - 19

Spring Camp 2010
$425 for 5 days
Download Spring Camp application, medical information and hold harmless form (PDF document)
Time: 9:00-1:00
Dates:

  • March 29 - April 2
  • April 5 - 9
  • April 12 - 16

Summer Camp 2010
$750 for two week session or $425 for one week session
Download Summer Camp application, medical information and hold harmless form (PDF document)
Time: 9:00-1:00
Dates:

  • Session I: June 14 - 25
  • Session II: July 5 - 16
  • Session III: July 19 - 30
  • Session IV: August 2 - 13
  • Session V: August 16 - 27

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'Crazy About Horses' Day
$125 for 1 day mini-camp, from 10am to 2pm
Mini-camp application, medical information and hold harmless form (PDF document)
Some helpful recommendations (PDF document)

Upcoming dates in 2010:

  • January 23
  • March 27
  • May 22
  • July 24
  • September 11
  • November 13

Love Horses? Here is your chance to spend a day with one of 50 school horses and hear about our programs, see a live demonstration by our owner, and learn to tack up your own horse and ride! We are offering a mini one day camp for you to get your boots wet.

For the beginner rider, you will learn safety, horse handling and care through grooming and experience on the ground and on the horse at our professional riding facility. Our knowledgeable instructors will teach you to mount, dismount correctly to riding in our covered arena under our watchful eye. Our owner will show you a live demonstration on how horses communicate with us. It is the perfect introduction to learning about horses and all in a full day. Bring a lunch to eat next to the horses and make a horsie craft. Wear long pants and a boot with a heel. We also have riding boots and helmets available for each rider. Due to the physical limitations of our horses, rider’s weight should not exceed 225 pounds. All camps are non-refundable.

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Intermediate Camp - $395 for a 4 day camp (Mon - Thurs). Upcoming dates in 2010:

  • June 14 - 17 
  • June 21 - 24
  • August 9 - 12
  • November 26 (Day after Thanksgiving)
  • December 21 - 24

Spring Down's intermediate camp is a one-week camp designed for those riders who have progressed beyond the skill level of the general camps. These riders are expected to already understand the basics of horse-care (i.e. how to groom and tack up their own horses) and are ready to focus more on improving their riding and horsemanship skills. Riders must be strong at the walk/trot/canter, and cantering on the rail independently is a requirement.  Riders should be able to canter securely in their 2-point position. Also, should be jumping cross rails, but those who are not yet jumping may still participate in this camp at the instructor's discretion.  Riders outside of Spring Down - come and take an evaluation lesson if you are not sure which camp to sign up for!

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