Summer Pony Camps
Now not just for kids, see our Adult camps too
For a really fun, action packed holiday experience, try us!
This is your chance to try everything to do with horses you've read about:- have a go at Side saddle riding, Western Riding, Horseball, Polocrosse, Vaulting, Carriage Driving, Mounted Games, Showing, Show Jumping etc. etc. Riding every day, and if you want to cool down, you can swim every evening in our heated swimming pool.
How about a holiday with your own pony even? (Lots of our regulars bring their own ponies, who I think enjoy the change as much as their owners!)
If you haven't got your own pony, then we can match you up with one of ours.
Don't worry if you are a novice or have never ridden before, our ponies have done it all before, and will make you an expert in no time. Our Camps are suitable for able-bodied and disabled children, please phone to discuss details.
For 6 to 17 year olds, we offer residential camps for 3 or 5 days during the summer holidays. Every half term and holiday we have activity days, from 9.00am to 4.00pm. Each day includes a riding lesson, a practical lesson in some aspect of pony care, and various horse activities as listed below.
Valley Farm Facts -
Did you know -
- Valley Farm hosted the very first National Horseball Tournament in this country.
- Valley Farm hosted the very first International Vaulting competition in this country.
- Valley Farm children represented Britain in the World Vaulting Championships.
- Valley Farm started the first Junior Cavalry Troop (Junior legion of horse)
- Valley Farm has the only herd of Camargue Horses in Britain.
- Children come from all over Great Britain and Europe for our Pony Camps.
- Nearly everybody who comes once, comes back again. The record at the moment is 7 years in a row! (we think, but if you have done more, let us know)
WANT TO KNOW MORE? send for a brochure, and we'll see you soon! or you could download the booking form at the bottom of this page.
The camps last for five days with children arriving by 10.00am on Monday and departing at 5.00pm on Friday. A bar-b-que with camp fire songs are arranged on Thursday evening.
For the younger members (away from home for the first time) three days is often sufficient and can be arranged for the first half of the week.
HORSE ACTIVITIES
- Riding
- - Every day in Indoor school or outside if weather permits, supervised by qualified staff.
- Voltige
- - Gymnastic circus skills on horseback.
- Driving
- - Learn how to harness up and drive a single pony.
- Western
- - Discover the ease of western riding and how it differs from English.
- Heavy Horses
- - Have a go at working the Draught Horses in agricultural harness.
- Horseball
- - "Basketball" on horseback.For the more experienced rider.
- Side-Saddle
- - Chance to try this elegant style of riding.
- Polocrosse
- - Have a go at this exciting sport.
- Lunging
- - Learn how to fit the equipment, how why and when you should lunge a pony, and then try it for yourself.
- Mounted Games
- - Team Games involving two patient ponies!!
- Best Turned Out competition
- - Whilst the ponies rest, children have the opportunity, to groom, quater mark and plait them. Deck them in ribbons etc, for the best turned out competition.
- Pony Care
- - Lectures and Practical in Rugging, Bandaging,Grooming, or other subjects of your choice.
NON HORSE ACTIVITIES
- Circus Skills
- - (co-ordination skills) Juggling, Plate Spinning, Unicycling, Rolla-Bolla etc.
- Videos
- - Choose from an extensive range of horsy videos.
- Roping
- - Learn the art of lasooing a calf from a tin horse.
- Campfire
- - Don't forget the marshmallows!
- Swimming
- -In covered heated pool. Children swimming are supervised all the time, by proficient swimmers. We do not though, have a qualified
life saver on duty. The pool has a max. depth of 5' 6". If any parent is unhappy about their child swimming in these circumstances please notify a member of staff on arrival.
- Nature Trail
- - Three miles of track beside marshland, woodland and rivers.
- Games, quizzes, etc
- - A range of exciting activities are arranged to keep you busy.
ALSO
Meet our Goats, Camelot the camel, Muffin the Mule, the Draught Horses and all of the other pet animals.
See the only existing herd of Camargue Horses in the UK with their foals. You may even get the opportunity to pet the foals.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in large tents or wooden 'Wendy Houses'. These sleep between four and six. If you are coming with a friend, or friends, we will try to make sure you can sleep together, provided you let us know who you want to be with when you fill in your booking form!
You are welcome to bring your own tent if you wish.
There is CCTV in operation on the camp site at night, and a nanny stays on site with the children.
SAMPLE DAY
8.00 BREAKFAST.
8.30 Groom and tack up the ponies in preparation for your lesson or hack.
9.30 Lesson in the Indoor School or Outdoor arena if weather permits.
10.30 Activity (Horseball, Carriage Driving, Vaulting etc. etc depending on the day of the week)
11.30 MID MORNING BREAK - Drink, biscuits, etc.
12.00 Practical Activity (Western Roping, Quiz, Video, Lunging etc)
12.45 Untack ponies and return them to stables.
1.00 LUNCH
2.00 Pony Care lecture (Rugging, Foal Handling, Preparing for a show etc)
3.00 Afternoon activity (Mounted Games, Western, Side-saddle etc)
4.00 AFTERNOON BREAK - Drink, biscuits, etc.
4.30 Afternoon stables. Skip out, brush off, turn out horses.
5.00 Tack cleaning and yard duty.
5.30 Swimming, games, T.V. Video, Circus Skills, etc.
7.00 Supper / Bar-B-Que.
8.00 Organised evening activities/games until bedtime.
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We aim to provide an educational fun packed holiday in a safe environment, and we are sure you will enjoy yourself, if you decide to join us this summer.
Download a booking form now if you would like to join us for a fantastic holiday. Please call us or e-mail to find out which dates would be best for you, and if there is space available.
2009 Dates
July 13th - 17th - (full)
July 20th - 24th
July 27th - 31th
Aug. 3th - 7th
Aug. 10th - 14th
Aug. 17th - 21th
Aug. 24th - 28th
2009 Prices
5 Day Camp, £390.00 all inclusive
- 3 Day Camp, £295.00 all inclusive
A non refundable deposit £100.00 is necessary to secure your place.
Please make cheques payable to Valley Farm. and enclose with your booking form. Thankyou
The Proprietors are qualified in Riding, Carriage Driving,
Voltige, Stable Management, Side Saddle and hold current first aid certificates.
They are assisted by staff qualified in variations of the above. All staff
attend First Aid courses regularly.
© Valley Farm Ltd. Updated 19/01/2008
