Pony Riding Summer Camps for your Kids

What happens at Pony Riding Summer Camps?

At pony riding summer camps children learn to take care of ponies and improve their riding. 

Pony camps are fun and action-packed but also educational. They can try out a range of equestrian sports and activities from games to jumping to polocrosse. Ranging from 1-day to 5-day residential courses, the camps are for children age 6 to 17. There are camps for beginners and camps where you can take your own pony.

A day at pony camp will probably start with making sure the pony has food and water, skipping out the stable and grooming. Children are usually assigned the same pony for the week so they can bond with them. They will have a lesson in the morning in a group of a similar ability. At lunchtime, the pony needs to be fed and watered before the children have their own lunch. In the afternoon there are activities like going out on a hack or mounted games. They might have the opportunity to try side saddle or western, learn about natural horsemanship and different disciplines like carriage driving or polocrosse. There might be talks about stable management and equine physiology. 

In the evening children can relax around a campfire, play games or watch videos. Accommodation varies from wooden cabins to tents or you can bring your own caravan.

Children need to dress appropriately in jodhpurs or comfortable long trousers. Clothing for all weathers including waterproofs and gloves are required. Hair should be tied back without clips or pins and jewellery kept to a minimum. 

Summer Pony camp over a number of days is immersion so children can make more progress than weekly lessons through the school year. They learn about the responsibility of owning a horse and the amount of hard work involved in looking after it. It's a time commitment but it reaps great rewards and joy.

Some of the top pony summer camps in the UK:

PGL Pony Camps

These week-long residential camps for 8-16 years old by well-known provider PGL combine half days of pony riding with adventurous activities. There are three types of courses, depending on your child’s level of experience. They’re sure to have fun, make new friends and improve their riding skills. 

Wellington Riding School Summer Camp, Hampshire

Wellington Riding School hold summer camps that are ideal for children aged 7-16 to improve their riding skills. They can either stay onsite in cabins or attend the course each day. 

Valley Farm Riding Holidays, Suffolk

The five day residential pony camps for children aged 6-16 are very popular. Kids of all abilities can improve their horse riding skills, try different equestrian activities and learn about horse care.

Photo by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash