Senior
On Sunday 17th August 25 Pony Club members arrived at BCA to attend Senior Camp 2008.
The first test of the week was to actually pass 'camp border control'. If your horse was deemed fit and sound and your tack in good order, you were allowed to proceed. Luckily, the rider didn't have to undertake any mental or physical test so I believe everyone who had enrolled, stayed on for the week. It was really good to see more boys attend this year and hopefully there will be even more next year.The daily riding sessions enabled each one of us to improve our riding technique (though some of the instructors might question this!) and there was a fun element incorporated into some sessions in the form of bareback riding and exchanging horses within the ride. We all enjoyed the chance to do these and it prevented the ride sessions from becoming too serious.Every evening (except the last) was taken up with an activity or a talk/demonstration. Two particularly interesting sessions were Nick the fireman teaching us 'How to Save a Life' and Megan's horse physio talk and her explanation of how she actually dug up her 'props' to make an equine skeleton - there seems to be no end to her talents!As is always the case with camp, the busy week just flew past and the last night arrived all too soon. We partied, played pranks, sang and danced late into the night.Our last day was memorable with a good session out on the cross-country course followed by the prize giving presentation. Boys, we need to reverse the winning order in the section points area next year! After the presentation it was left to the Lads to uphold a Pony Club tradition, where a small dunking ceremony for Ellie, the winner of the Jenning's Cup (also known as 'The Creep Cup') - rumour has it that a certain male instructor ended up very wet as well!On behalf of all who attended Senior Camp, a big thank you to Megan for organising it, Sarah for keeping us in order when necessary and to Rod for his excellent and varied menus. Also to the instructors who had enormous patience with us and helped us gain experience and confidence throughout the week.To anyone who didn't attend this year but is contemplating coming in 2009, it really is a fantastic and unforgettable week.Junior
4th August 2008 to 8th August 2008, Hillfields, Lower Basildon.
After last year we felt we deserved some sunshine, (didn't we all) but it wasn't to be & under threatening skies 8.30 am Monday morning Ponies & Riders started to arrive. However the Dunkirk spirit or should this be Pony Club spirit held up & 25 ponies & riders were soon settled in. Thanks to the help of several mums, older PC members, & our very capable instructors the rides headed out for the first mornings instruction.The weather continued to be changeable during the week, & on several occasions was extremely unpleasant, however we still managed to ride every single day. Thanks must go to the Steljis for use of there lovely facilities, the Indoor school ensured we could continue to ride every day. The rides participated in various sessions including, flat work, show jumping, cross country, hacks through the woods & stable management. The children rode twice a day, while lunchtimes were a chance to relax, chat with your friends, visit the tuck shop & complete the daily quiz. A stable management session was also held after the morning ride, tack cleaning after the afternoon ride.On Wednesday afternoon while the ponies had some time off, the children worked towards two Achievement badges - Leading & Loading, Rugs & Bandaging, Many thanks to Cathy Jones for organizing this & special mention for Sunny who acted as Guinea Pig, loaded, bandaged & rugged by every child, with only a slightly resigned look on his face. Cathy was delighted with the level of interest & commitment shown by the children; every one gained both badges & participated fully during the whole session. We finished the afternoon with a BBQ & swimming.Then it was Friday time for the final afternoon, A Top Score Show Jumping competition was held, which provided many thrills & spills!! All the combinations had undoubtedly improved over the week, & there were many good rounds. Tea & Prize giving followed to finish an exhausting, soggy, but most enjoyable week.Thank you to all the Parents who helped to set up, tidy up & generally during the week, camp could not take place without this support. The older PC members who assisted the instructors were also invaluable, helping to tack up, lead, catch any stray ponies, tack cleaning, quizzes, putting up jumps, add up scores, etc. Finally thanks to our instructors who provided good fun as well as good instruction, to a wide range of children & ponies.Sally Larcom has agreed to take on Camp for 2009 which will be at Hillfields again, so roll on summer 2009.28th July - 1st August'08
13 of our youngest members aged between 4 & 7 attended camp at Amners Farm, Burghfield. The weather was kinder to us this year with us managing to completely dodge the showersFun was had by all, with keen smiling children arriving each morning. We rode every day, often twice. Riding activities included a camp quadrille, show jumping, farm hack, mounted games, swapping ponies and every member achieving personal goals on their ponies. Everyone passing their riding & road safety mini efficiency badge.Unmounted fun included a triathlon, steam train ride and very clean ponies and tack. Our mini members would not have achieved so much without our instructors Sally, Kate and Daniella, as well as a large team of senior members who were encouraging and enthusiastic throughout the week, thank you. Anna Goodenough once again kept us all very well fed and watered, thank you. All the minis worked really hard and had lots of fun, hope to see you next year.