Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 80

EQUESTRIAN Thrills and fun at Riding Club camp A group of local youngsters enjoyed the thrills and fun of the third annual IW Riding Club Camp, held at Lake Farm, Rookley. The 29 children, aged between six and 14, were able to improve their riding skills, and were then joined in the evening by their parents or guardians, who stayed overnight at the camp. The youngsters were given flat work with Sue Holmes and jumping lessons by Sarah Holmes, and combined that with games both on horseback and on foot. There was also a ‘ghost walk’ to add to the fun, but all the riders also had to look after their ponies during 80 www.visitilife.com the stay, feeding and mucking out under supervision. Heidi Carden was on hand to teach stable management, and Pip Smith provided tuition on how to show ponies in the showing ring. On the first evening the group enjoyed a social get-together at the nearby Chequers Inn, and the second evening a barbecue was held. Sue Holmes said: “Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, and we have already had some riders coming back for a second time. We are planning to hold a camp again next year, but the date has yet to be confirmed.” Pictures by Mandy Meadows