South Berkshire Pony Club
Senior Camp Handbook
Saturday 6th August – Thursday 11th August 2016
Boomerang
Crooked Soley
Introduction
We are delighted that you would like to come to Senior Camp. To help you and your parents get the most out of the week, we have put this handbook together. It is vital to us that you go away at the end of the week having had a fantastic time: Pony Club camp is the sort of experience that memories are made of and we want ours to be one of the best. If we are not meeting your expectations during the week, then please let us know promptly and politely so that we can find a way to help. It is far better to do this than put up with something for a week and not come back the following year because you didn’t have a good time. We want to be kicking you out of camp when you are 24 and begging you to come and teach when you are 25!
I would just say as an experienced camp parent, the campers do get extremely tired and for some it is their first big week away from home; emotions can run high and sometimes the riding does go to pot one day and is brilliant the next. This is the main reason why we insist that the first year campers go home on the third night which will be Monday, 8th August 2016. A good bath (you will need it), home food and an early night in your own bed usually acts as a very good cure all.
So you want to go to Senior Camp?
Excellent! So, there are some forms to fill out and the deposit to be paid. These can be found on the website. New for this year, I have also included a form for you to fill out so we can see what you the camper would like to get out of camp. We tried this with junior camp and it was very successful. It also gives you a chance privately to say if you have any concerns or reservations about senior camp, whether the riding or the camping. We are very fortunate to have Bridget: she has run many camps (15 for the South Berks) and has two older children, Tom and Katy, who went through PC so she has heard it all from girl stuff to boy stuff.
It is really useful if you can try and come to as many summer rallies as possible so that the instructors and Bridget get to know you and see you. This will help in two ways: firstly and most importantly, you will stand the best chance of getting into the correct group if we know who you are and what you are capable of. Secondly, first day nerves will be less if you see some familiar faces at rallies.
Forms to fill out:
· Camp booking and indemnity form 2016
· Rider Information Form 2016
What you can expect from Senior Camp and what we expect from you
You Can Expect From Senior Camp / What we expect from our Senior CampersTo be treated like a Senior – Your pony is your responsibility.
You can expect to be encouraged and challenged by us.
You can expect to make new friends.
You can expect to be tired and dirty.
You can expect to eat, sleep and dream horses.
You can expect to have lots and lots of fun.
If we do not fulfil your expectations, please tell us / We expect you to be polite, considerate to others and cheerful. A “thank you” goes a long way.
We expect you to be kind and tolerant of those younger than you and your siblings if you are in that situation.
We expect you to be respectful of each other and each other’s property.
If we feel that you are repeatedly falling short of our expectations of a senior camper, then you are not mature enough to be at camp and you will be sent home.
Preparing your Pony for Camp
You need to consider that your pony will be ridden twice a day at camp which he is not normally subjected to. This may come as a shock to his system so he needs to be prepared (a bit like you training for a sports fixture). From the summer half term onwards, you will need to start increasing your pony’s workload to get him fit for camp. You will get far more out of camp if your pony is fit and well. Also be mindful of the fact that the ponies are stabled all the time at Boomerang which may again be a shock for grass kept ponies. Their diet will need adjusting a couple of weeks before camp where they have two hard feeds a today to meet their energy requirement. Having said that, there are some ponies that use camp as their summer slim down! All ponies are different but this is worth considering.
Please make sure your pony is well shod before camp or has had a trim. We have a farrier on call but he may not be able to come out until the end of his working day which could mean you will miss valuable riding time.
Check your tack really carefully; particularly the stitching on reins and stirrup leathers. This will be checked for safety reasons upon your arrival but so please look at it now! It can be unfortunate if you have to borrow or buy an item of tack because yours is not fit for purpose. (Trust me, it has happened to me!!) The other thing to check is your stirrup irons – your feet have a nasty tendency to grow. You should be able to get your index finger either side of your foot in the irons. Again, I speak from experience.
Below is a kit list. I have given reasons if there seems to be an odd request!
CAMP KIT LIST
Pony:
o 2 Water Buckets – standard size. Trugs are too heavy to carry
o 2 haynets (1 full on first day
o Grooming Kit – body brush and curry comb, dandy brush, mane comb, sponges, hoof pick, hoof oil.
o Fly spray.
o Bucket, sponge/waterbrush, shampoo (optional) and sweatscraper.
o Saddle and Bridle (in good repair and that fits correctly).
o 2 or 3 Numnahs (they get sweaty)
o Tack cleaning kit.
o Boots if required
o Head collar and rope.
o Fork, broom, shovel and muck bucket or wheelbarrow
o Free standing saddle rack.
o Sufficient hay for the week.
o Feed bucket
o Feed for one week – 2 meals a day
Rider:
Hat (this must confirm to the following standard or you will not ride)
BSI Kitemark, SA1 Global Symbol, Official Snell label with number, The CE symbol alone is not enough. PAS015: 1998 and Snell E2001 meet a higher impact criteria. The SEI hat is not approved. Parents are responsible for the correct fitting and condition of their child’s riding hat.
Back protector (BETA approved and correctly fitted).
Jodhpurs – dark colours are fine for in the week but beige on Thursday
Long sleeved shirt (it is compulsory to have long sleeves to ride cross country)
Hacking jacket or show jacket for last day
Black or brown Jodhpur boots with half chaps or long boots
Riding Gloves.
Girls with long hair need a hairnet.
Pony Club Tie and Badge.
Pony Club Sweatshirt.
Waterproof jacket – a spare jacket is a good idea if the forecast is not good – drying clothes is difficult.
Mucking out clothes to wear over riding clothes.
T-shirt, shorts and trainers.
Notebook and Pen
Sunscreen
Wash kit and towel
Torch
1 Cake sometime during the week for tea.
Swimming costume/trunks/towel
Sufficient warm clothing and bedding for sleepover.
***** PLEASE NOTE: All equipment and clothing must be clearly named
Preparing yourself for camp
We are really lucky to have the facilities at Boomerang. Russ has built a saloon for us to use which is a vast improvement on the old tent. This is equipped with a cooker, fridge, freezer and running water and plenty of chairs and tables. Camilla is our camp cook and will provide you with three meals a day and plenty of snacks in between. If you have food allergies or intolerances please let Camilla know (she is very experienced in dealing with the most complex of dietary requirements).
You will need plenty of clothes, both for riding and playing, but it is not necessary to bring anything fancy… you are not going anywhere! Do bring waterproof clothing – if you bring it we hopefully won’t need it!
Just a note on the sleeping arrangements, it is up to you as parents to organise your child’s home for the next week, whether this be in a tent or a lorry. It is tempting to let the campers sort out their own arrangements but it does not make for a great start if “ Pricilla or Perry has promised Mary and Max that they will share a tent or a lorry when on the day they have promised Xania and Zac the same thing.” Parents talk to each other and make a plan. It may be possible to hire a caravan between four or five and a spare pod in a tent may help someone out.
Taking on board the feedback from last year, we are going to spend some time sorting out a site plan so that you will be directed where to park rather than a free for all. It is not great to have the Lorries on the higher ground and the tents on the lower ground in the event of a deluge of rain. It would be a good idea to let us know your accommodation in advance and who you are sharing with if anyone. Some people prefer to camp alone and this is fine too.
The Big day has arrived – Saturday 6th August 2016
You will arrive on Saturday afternoon although you will not be riding that day. We normally have a staggered system so that surnames A-M come at 2.30pm and N-Z come from 3:30pm. Please try and stick to this then everyone will get the attention they need. The processing takes a little time so please be patient but you can help by making sure your tack, hat and passports are up together.
1. When you arrive at Boomerang, park up but Not in the camping area. Leave your pony on the trailer / lorry and bring your tack, hat, passport and any outstanding paperwork to the reception area for checking. You will then be told which ride and team you will be in and where your stable is. You may want to find your stable and prepare it for your pony
.
2. Unload your pony and take off his travel boots. All ponies will be trotted up to check for soundness. This is why it is important for them to be newly shod as the shoes will be checked too. If you have an older pony that can be stiff, just tell Bridget beforehand. We are looking for any unsoundness for the welfare of the pony and frankly protecting ourselves for the coming week. Older ponies do not always trot up strictly level but if this is normal and they are happy, we can accommodate that. Accidents can happen at camp and lameness may occur, but it is only fair to the horses if they start the week sound.
3. Once this is done, you can take your pony to his stable. There will be bedding in it but you may need to add more. Three bales of shavings should easily suffice for the week and Russ will allow us to use his sawdust at a charge per wheelbarrow if necessary. Now is the time to settle your pony with a haynet and water and then think about setting up your own accommodation.
4. It would be great if we could form a ring around the edge of the field with lorries and caravans and then have the tents in the middle as the lorries would act as a windbreak. A note to tent campers: good strong pegs are a must and don’t forget your mallet. If you are in a lorry, please make sure that the gas canister has been removed. Hot drinks are provided and there is hot water in the shower block. It is a good idea to leave a set of lorry keys with Bridget. We have had cases of people getting locked into and out of lorries, tack lockers etc. (Once you are settled into your own accommodation, please return and check on your pony and make sure he is comfortable in his new home.
5. It will now nearly be time for the camp briefing and supper for both you and your pony. This is a time of high excitement but we do need to impart some very important information Please listen: it is for your benefit and your safety.
6. *Goodbye Parents – thank you for getting us to camp !*
Parents will be asked to offer their help during the week, either with “elevenses” drinks and lunch, or sometimes to sleepover (depending on numbers). If we go swimming on the Tuesday afternoon, we will need help from parents with the transport.
The Daily Routine
In the Manual of Horsemanship (which I am hoping you all have a copy of) there is a section on “The routine of a stabled horse” This is pretty much how your day will unfold and if you more or less stick to this routine you will not go far wrong. All PC instructors will be familiar with this routine and it will be taught as the “correct way.” Please find a rough guide in the table below. The times should be treated as a guide only.
It is important for the horse’s wellbeing that they are all fed at the same time so please wait for everyone to be ready to feed. If your pony has any prescribed medication (such as “bute,”), it must be kept with Bridget. Please ensure that your ponies always have fresh water changed morning and evening.
I am sure you will but it may be worth mentioning that your pony must come first at all times. Do bear in mind the extra work he is doing and pay particular care in cooling him down and walking him off after exercise. This will help to prevent stiffness in the morning and is much better for his heart and digestion. It is not fair to put him leave him hot and sweaty in his stable so that you can be first in the lunch queue.
Time / Description7am / Look for signs of good health in your horse and make sure he has come to no harm in the night. Tie up a small haynet. Muck out, pick out the feet and put up the bed. Clean water buckets and refill. Feed your pony and go and have your breakfast.
9 am onwards / Put on head collar and tie up. Remove droppings (skip out) and groom, washing off stable stains if necessary. Change into your riding gear, tack up and oil hooves.
10 am / Be ready to ride
11.30 am to 12pm when your ride comes in / Tie up and remove tack. Brush off saddle, girth and bridle area with a body brush or sponge if sweaty (use the hose if necessary). Pick out feet and give a net of hay. Check water. Remove head collar
12.45 to 1.45 / Lunch
2pm to 4.00pm / Be ready to ride or do stable management (your instructor will tell you which you will do first).
4pm onwards / Tie up and groom thoroughly. Skip out stable, check the water, re-fill haynets and put the night beds down.
4.30pm / Have cake and clean tack thoroughly.
6pm / Skip out, hay and feed ponies.
9pm / Skip out, top up water and haynet if necessary (a second haynet can be left outside the stable for Bridget to put in last thing at night).
On the Thursday there will be a display for your parents so you and your pony will need to be super smart (and you may have a dressage test the day before too!) . You will need to reserve your beige/cream jods and one numnah for this