Horsemanship Camps at Sun Pony Ranch

Sun Pony Ranch

Horsemanship Day Camps

About Sun Pony Ranch

Lesson Program

Horsemanship Camps

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Horsemanship Day Camps

SPRING BREAK Horsemanship Camps (Continuing in 2010; Camp sessions that correspond with local school districts' spring breaks)

SUMMER Horsemanship Camps

SUMMER Horsemanship Day Camps begin June 7st, 2010.
Ages: 8 to 14
Schedule: Camp is from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday - Friday.

Open spaces stats updated: 10/2009

Open Spaces	Camp Week	Starts	Ends	Pictures! (2010)
12	Wk 1	6/7/10	6/11/10
12	Wk 2	6/14/10	6/18/10
12	Wk 3	6/21/10	6/25/10
12	Wk 4	6/28/10	7/2/10
12	Wk 5	7/5/10	7/9/10
12	Wk 6	7/12/10	7/16/10
12	Wk 7	7/19/10	7/23/10
12	Wk 8	7/26/10	7/30/10
12	Wk 9	8/2/10	8/6/10
12	Wk 10	8/9/10	8/13/10

When you sign up for camp, we ask that you please choose your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Choice weeks. We will make every effort to ensure you get your 1st Choice. However, we will have a maximum of 12 Campers per week, so some weeks will fill quickly.

Registration fee for 2010: $340. Resister Early: Register by April 30th for only $315.

in 2010 -- Multiple Week Discount: If more than one family member signs up for camp, or, if any individual signs up for more than one week of camp, the first week is charged the regular amount, but every additional week will receive a $20 discount. For Early registrations, that would be $295 a week - for registrations after the beginning of May the discounted rate will be $320.

Coming in 2010: Click here to open the Registration Form. Please mail to:
CAMP REGISTRATION, Sun Pony Ranch, 18490 County Road 1, Berthoud, C0, 80513.

Campers should bring with them:

Long pants
Hard soled shoes with a heel
Wear sunscreen and bug spray (we have more for reapplications)
Lunch, including a drink (NO Glass Bottles)
Hat with a brim is useful

*** All campers must have a signed waiver on the first morning of camp. If your camper will not be dropped off by a parent or guardian, please download our waiver, sign it, and have your camper bring it with them.

Sun Pony Ranch will provide:

Safety Helmets
Drinking Water

Horsemanship Camps at Sun Pony Ranch

Every Camper who attends Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp will have their own horse for the week of camp. In addition to learning to ride, they learn how to care for their horse. Campers embrace the concept and are excited about learning the responsibilities that come with caring for their own horse.

The age levels for Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp go from Children age 8 and up to Youth (teenagers) up to age 16. When a teenager over the age of 16 reaches a level of skill and ability that would enable them to help at Horsemanship Camp, they may want to apply to become a "Junior Counselor."

Youth English	Youth Western
Children's Western	Children's English

On the first morning of every Camp week, each Camper who comes to Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp is evaluated to determine their level of horse experience and riding abilities. The Horses are discussed as to their personality types and then each Camper has input into which horse they will be assigned for the week. Every Camper has the choice as to whether they will ride English or Western style.

Typically, two Campers will share a horse. In this way, each Camper learns to work together with another for the care of, and responsibility for, their horse. The Campers have fun learning from the Staff, their horses, and each other.

Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp is a Day Camp that runs between the hours of 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. A typical day will include 2 Riding Lessons for each Camper. The morning lesson will be a group riding lesson where they ride "their" horse. Since each horse usually has 2 Campers assigned to them, there will be 2 of these Group Lessons. The afternoon riding lesson will usually take a different format. For example, Campers may take turns riding one at a time, bareback, while all the others watch and learn. Beginning Riders are carefully monitored and an instructor walks along with them as they get used to the balance required for bareback riding. This type of activity greatly improves the Camper's balance and "feeling ability" for riding in the saddle, as well.

Camp Riding Lessons usually include some fun activities like:

	Going over tiny jumps!
Bareback riding
	Not to mention, time just to goof off.

Included in the Horsemanship Camp is learning how to care for their horse. Campers learn to Groom and clean their horse. They learn about cleaning their horse's stall in the barn. They learn what to feed their horse, and how. They learn about "Ground Work" and Round Pen work. They learn Leading (walking their horse on a lead rope). And, first and formost, for every single activity done at Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp, they learn to be SAFE around horses. "Safety First" is always our Primary Rule, and Campers learn about it from the first moment they arrive at Camp and throughout every activity they do here.


Learning how to tie a horse to the post	Grooming

And finally, the Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp culminates with a "Horse Show" put on for parents, family, and friends. On Friday of Camp Week, the excitement builds as the pairs of Campers work together to prepare their horse for the show. There is bustling activity as Campers brush their horses coats to a shine, comb their manes and tails, and then braid or decorate them in their own way, with ribbons and individual decorations. We see lots of creativity here! Then it is time to ride and show off their new skills. The Campers have a great time all week, but they especially love this day! What a great time is had by all -- both Campers and horses. The horses enjoy all the love and attention and the Campers enjoy the exhibition of their handiwork and riding ability. The spectators enjoy seeing what the Campers have learned and accomplished.

Sun Pony Ranch Horsemanship Camp is a great place for kids who want to learn about horses and learn to ride. In an atmosphere of partnership, camaraderie, and fun, Campers learn to work with others for their common interests and goals. They also learn to bond with, and become partners with, their horse. They do this through taking ownership of, and responsibility for, their horse, using gentle guidance and leadership from their instructors and counselors.

SPRING BREAK Horsemanship Camps at Sun Pony Ranch
Ages: 8 to 14
Schedule: Camp is from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Monday - Friday.

Description: Have your own horse for a week! We will match each camper with a horse to ride and love for the week. Campers will learn the care and responsibility for their horse, as well as learning and practicing “safety” around horses. They will begin to learn riding skills, or improve those they already have. Both English and Western style riding are taught – campers choice. Activities in our Spring Break Camp Week are dependent upon the weather, but every camper will get plenty of riding and “hands-on” time with the horses each day. Our popular camp weeks fill quickly, and we will take a maximum of 12 campers for this one Spring Break Week. Sign up early to ensure a spot.

For 2010 Spring Breaks, the Thompson and St. Vrain school districts have selected the same week! So be sure to sign up early this year as we'll have campers from both districts.

Available Extra: Girl Scouts – Earn your Horse Rider Badge!

Open spaces updated 2/25/2010

Open Spaces	Camp Week	Starts	Ends		Pictures (2010)
7	Wk 1	3/29/10	4/2/10	Thompson R2-J School District Spring Break AND St Vrain School District Spring Break

Registration fee: $260.

Coming in 2010: Click here to open the Spring Registration Form. Please mail to:
CAMP REGISTRATION, Sun Pony Ranch, 18490 County Road 1, Berthoud, C0, 80513.

Campers should bring with them:

Long pants
Hard soled shoes with a heel
Lunch, including a drink (NO Glass Bottles)
Wear sunscreen and bug spray (we have more for reapplications)
Hat with a brim is useful
ALTERNATIVELY, given Colorado's weather: Jackets and gloves are recommended if it is chilly.

Sun Pony Ranch will provide:

Safety Helmets
Drinking Water

Register soon because there are limited openings that will fill up!