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Main Camp at Tweseldown Racecourse, 1^st - 7^th Aug 2008

All the campers had a brilliant time with fabulous food, brilliant instruction and enormous fun (mainly involving water fights).  A last day Combined Training Event ensured that all members had a chance to compete and the prize giving at the end was enjoyed by all.  Everyone returned home exhausted but happy, and all having made new friends.

Tweseldown is such a great venue for camp, with good ground and a fabulous cross country course - we hope very much to be able to return again next year.
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Mini Camp at Benbow Stables, 27^th May - 30^th May

Sorry for the belated write-up for mini-camp which took place during May half term at Benbow stables.

Twenty seven children and up to twenty helpers/instructors were well fed and watered by Barbara Goss and mums every day; no mean feat with the youngest child aged 4! Thanks to all who helped.

We had a busy week of achievement badges and tests, which produced the following, results:

• E test 12 passed
• D test 13 passed

Achievement badges

• Handling & Grooming 10 passed
• Mucking Out 13 passed
• Tack Cleaning 5 passed

Mini Achievement badges

• Handling & Grooming 9 passed
• Points of the Pony 13 passed
• Points of the Tack 13 passed

Well done to all the children who left camp with at least one if not more achievement badges. A huge thanks to Ann Metson, Charmian Stow and Annette Warren who gave up their time to officiate at the tests.

Midi Camp at Benbow Stables, 27^th July - 31^st July

Twenty-three children arrived for midi camp, which took place at Benbow stables at the end of July. After a very hot start the first day the weather cooled to the ideal temperature for the rest of the week; which was just as well for the action packed schedule we had planned.

As well as working on flatwork, show jumping there was cross country schooling at Sands Farm, a lunging lesson for each child (not using the same horse I may add), a hound exercise with Surrey Union Hunt - photos of which can be seen on their website http://suhpictures.shutterfly.com

This was finished off on the last evening with a swim and bbq at Mr & Mrs Collis’ house and back to Benbow for a sleepover in the back of lorries before competing in an Eventers Challenge on the last day.

Achievement Badges

• Lungeing badge 11 passed
• Tack Cleaning badge 19 passed

A huge thanks to all the yard helpers for both camps who showed great initiative and responsibility in helping the children, and who I hope will come back and help next year.

Thanks to Jenny and Trudi who gave first aid cover when needed and to all the parents who helped with cooking, lifts, the hound exercise without your support it would not be possible to offer the children so much.

And last of all thank you to all the children from both camps that behaved very well and embraced all that was asked of them with great enthusiasm during both weeks.

Anyone with any suggestions or ideas for what could be included/improved at any of the camps, please email me at
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Jackie Crichton