News | 24 August 2026
Camps = fun + friendship + horsemanship and so much sport
August is a very different month for Pony Club, as instead of rallies and training we focus on camps and champs. South Notts runs two camps – junior is for younger children of primary school age. They attend on three consecutive days with their ponies, they have the same instructor for all their activities, and the ponies and the children go home each day at 4pm.
Senior camp is for secondary school age and above. Members camp on site with parental supervision, and have a longer day including evening activities – quizzes, movie night and a silent disco – after they have made sure their ponies are settled and happy.
Camp dates are already set for August 2027.
Senior camp was one of our biggest and busiest this year. Riders stay over either in lorries or tents, with their parents or a nominated supervisor.
- Our traditional four day camp was oversubscribed yet again. The riders made the most of all the facilities Vale View has to offer – jumping, cross country, dressage and stable management. Plus games, a quiz, dressage to music demonstrations and fantastic food.
- For the first time this year we ran an “intro” camp, two nights for members who want a gentle step up to senior camp.
- Another innovation was our “seniors” camp, our older members had two intensive days with specialist instructors and a dedicated stable yard.
Junior camp is all about developing friendships and having fun. This year’s camp coincided with yet another heatwave so the camp was relocated to our DC’s house and adjacent farmland, giving the riders an arena to jump in, a lovely hacking track round the fields, shade to sit in and a swimming pool!
Over 40 members of primary school age and below attended, some on foot and most with ponies. Anyone who was a bit nervous was invited to come on foot on the day before to learn where everything was located. All the riding was finished by lunchtime, the ponies went home and the children did badges, swam, met hounds and did some fabulous craft activities in the afternoons.