Senior Camp – year highlight

Senior Camp – year highlight

Following months of uncertainty we were relieved and delighted to get the green light from Pony Club head office for our residential camp to go ahead. Forty two campers and their beloved mounts descended on Ardingly’s event centre on Monday 5th August. For six days and five nights we came together to enjoy all things equestrian thanks to two Dc’s, five house keepers, five yard girls, seven coaches and an army of parent kitchen helpers. For the fourth year running we joined forces with Old Surrey & Burstow PC. Unfortunately our friends from the Cayman Islands PC were unable to join us this time due to uncertainty surrounding international travel.

Once again the British weather played havoc with our timetable however our enthusiasm was never dampened and campers embraced the necessary changes with resilience and enthusiasm. As well as busy riding days we had lovely sociable evenings – Monday we settled in and got to know each other, Tuesday we watched a musical ride demonstration by ESPC coach Alex Chambers and her competition partner Summer followed by lots of laughter during team games, Wednesday we enjoyed a wonderful sunset hound exercise with Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt, Thursday having been battered by wind and rain for much of the day we were thankful to be inside for TET shooting expertly hosted by Peter and Georgina Morgan. Thankfully the sun returned on Friday and having watched, over three days, the one thousand foot inflatable labyrinth and fun fair being set up we enjoyed all the thrills of the fair followed by Prize Evening were we recognised a variety of camp achievements. Saturday sadly saw the return of driving rain so our camp finale did not reflect the time and effort campers had put into their parent displays. Despite the weather it provided a whole camp opportunity to all be together, appreciate being reunited with family and reflect on our amazing week.

During the day campers enjoyed group tuition across various disciplines, stable management and a jumping competition tested their nerves. Sadly the eagerly awaited photo session had to be cut short much to everyone’s disappointment. Hooves To Hounds’ Andie and her dedicated team endured horizontal rain and ever increasing wind to get some lovely shots before we had to admit defeat. 

As camp coordinator it was a privilege to spend quality time with members and the camp team, to have fun together, watch friendships blossom, celebrate their achievements and support each other through the occasional low. It was lovely to enjoy the summer sunshine, hear laughter during team games and share the joy of campers being able to “just be kids” after what has been an unprecedented time of isolation and restriction.

Sincere thanks to all the parents for going the extra mile, supporting all the extra chores necessary for camp to run – completing all the necessary compliance forms, providing the long list of camp and pony necessities, transporting from Montague to Ardingly (and back again!) enough equipment for seven ride groups – dressage boards, rope & markers, a whole show jumping and working hunter course, XC flags, grid equipment plus everything required to run the kitchen, assisting our housekeeping team deep clean the kitchen before and again after camp, to provide over sixty meals four times a day, hosting evening activities and of course supporting your children so they can enjoy everything camp offers – friendship, horsemanship and this year more than ever, togetherness. We couldn’t do it without team work and sacrifice therefore a huge thank you for all the help, small and large, it all made for a great, much needed camp.

Clare Bassett x