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pony camp

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It's so much fun, parents will be asking to join!

This manual contains all the information you need to successfully set up a children camp with horses.

International Pony Camp Manual for coaches, instructors and camp leaders to help guide and give ideas for teaching, learning and having fun with a traditional camp environment and adding a new age twist! Manual includes Equestrian-4-Kids program, Young Rider program, Camp Counselor training, Pony Camp thematic ideas, and the Amaranthine Story, which is a 10 year cycle story that accompanies the thematic camps and gives the children more inspiration and incentive to keep learning about horses and horse care.

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Discover a deep and meaningly connection with horses!
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pony camp types

While you may call your camp whatever you wish, the academy would like to help set a basis to make it easier to set up a chapter (your own camp or club). We have set up four different types of pony camps for children according to age groups:

Camp Walkapony is for children in Pre-K, K, and grade 1. The focus is on safety and getting the children used to being around horses. There are only 3-4 children per camp and they are roughly in the same age category so it works out as a fun social activity yet they are bonding with horses. Most of the time horses are on lead-line unless the child is able to handle the horse safely on their own. Arts, crafts, and games will be based on their level of ability. The focus is on fun and learning to be away from their parents, while enjoying the horses, and whatever other creatures walk in your barn.
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Camp Little Trotter is for children in Grades 2,3,4. While the focus is much the same as the first camp, this camp is more dedicated to getting the children used to riding on their and starting the Young Rider levels testing through the International Riding Academy. Perhaps this is the most fun camp as the children have wild imaginations and will really help the coach with storyline possibilities. The sky is the limit. There is no holds barred with this group as they will give it their all in the games, arts, crafts, and all the other activities.
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Camp Trotsalot is for children in Grades 5,6,7. The focus is similar however the children are urged to progress up the levels of horsemanship. These children are a little more focused on the dynamics of riding and working on perfection. While they still want to have fun, the are a tad more serious. The crafts, games, art projects, and storyline will reflect this.
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Camp Acanter is for teenagers in Grades 8,9,10. Riders bring their own mounts, which must be safe for riding in a group setting. Riders are urged up through the International Riding Academy's Rider levels. This is a group of teens who are willing to partake in the fun, but really want to have a more mature storyline and tougher incentives. They challenge themselves and the coach. All projects will reflect this. The goal is to keep them interested in horses and progressing, not turning to negative activities outside of home.


Every year you can follow along with us for tips and things to do, as well as follow the storyline adventure. The goal is to give guidance in the camps as well as help the children gain inspiration to keep riding and be part of something more.

It is strongly suggest that children are started in Western, then try English. After that, they decide which way they want to ride.
But everyone learns the BASICS of HORSEMANSHIP and then we stem into Classical, of which all riding is based on. It is practiced by the Spanish Riding School and as advocated by the International Riding Academy.


"If the art were not so difficult we would have plenty of good riders and excellently ridden horses, but as it is the art requires, in addition to everything else, character traits that are not combined in everyone: inexhaustible patience, firm perseverance under stress, courage combined with quiet alertness. If the seed is present only a true, deep love for the horse can develop these character traits to the height that alone will lead to the goal."
~ Gustav Steinbrecht

Proper horsemanship
Classical roots
Correct equitation
Body awareness
Common sense
Safety first!

The biggest reason for creating pony camp is because the children get so tired of everyday riding lessons. Coaches suffer in just trying to come up with ideas. The idea behind the camp is to give an alternate story with progressive riding as well as learning about other issues and cultures. Often the made up stories reflect something that is really happening in our world. It brings more awareness to the child, as well as helps develop inspiration to learn. If only I could have shown you the child's face when he discovered that Albert Einstein is a real person, discovering his face in a book! Or the extreme desire to tell me that they discovered a new legend about a horse in a book or on television. Or how the parent tells me that the crazy for horses child painted horses on their new jacket! Why not harness that love and let them paint a shirt in pony camp?

​More information coming soon.
To create your own chapter, just borrow the information used as per camp. You can follow along with us. There is no specific registration, just if the children want to partake in the mounted tests, they will each need a membership. If you are entering a group of ten or more students for test days, contact the office first for a 10% discount.
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coming soon!

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