Summer Camps
Day Camp Descriptions
SUMMER HORSE CAMP FOR CHILDREN
DAY CAMP INCLUDES:
- One and two-week sessions throughout the summer for children 8-15 years old
- Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- A horse for each child to ride, care for and love the entire session
- A counselor skilled in leadership and horsemanship to supervise and instruct the children
- Special events such as: lunch rides, games on horseback, horse shows, and drill teams
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- Riding boots (not hiking boots) which are always to be worn around the horses, and long pants.
- Tennis shoes and shorts for vaulting
- Daily sack lunch. Extra water and sunscreen
- ATSM/SEI approved horseback riding helmet (the stables will provide one if necessary)
WESTERN A
FIRST CAMP EXPERIENCE for children 8 - 14. Also suitable for 2nd year campers. A minimum of 4 riding lessons are required for first-time campers.
Campers learn:
- The horse-parts, colors, markings, breeds
- Care of the horse-feeding, grooming, saddling, cleaning, and knot-tying
- Western tack-its use, care and cleaning
- Basic equitation
- Trail riding-rules and safety
- Vaulting (simple gymnastics on the moving horse) to improve balance and rhythm in riding
WESTERN B
SECOND OR THIRD YEAR CAMP experience for children 9 - 14 who have attended at least one Garrod horse camp session; or older children with significant riding expertise.
Campers learn:
- All of the subjects listed in WESTERN A more extensively
- Equine first aid, diseases and common treatments
- Instruction in horse breeds, breeding, and training
- Feeds and feeding for particular needs
- Introduction to gymkhana, showing, advanced horsemanship
- Use of obstacle courses and figure work
WESTERN C
THIRD YEAR CAMP experience for children 10-15 who have attended at least 4 weeks of horse camp, or older children with significant riding expertise.
Campers learn:
Continued exploration and development of all subjects in WESTERN A and B
- Lead changes
- Collection
- Practice Drill Team Work
- Individual Stock Seat Pattern work
- Continued Equitation Improvement
ALL ENGLISH
English riding camp for campers 10 - 15 who have completed at least one session of Garrod horse camp AND are currently taking English riding lessons; OR campers who have completed at least 2 Western Day Camps. Some older children may be admitted who have had significant English riding instruction.
Campers learn:
- All subjects in Western A and B (except western riding)
- "Balance Seat" equitation and beginning dressage
- Basic caveletti work
- Technical skills such as mane and tail braiding, leg wrapping, and bandaging
- Horse exercise techniques
- Beginning drill work
JR. RODEO
For the more advanced Western riders., ages 10-15. Campers will concentrate on trail riding and arena patterns. Campers will perform Gymkhana-type maneuvers. Must be able to walk, trot, lope with control and form. Must have attended a minimum of 3 Garrod Farms Summer Day camps, or have Instructor approval.
Riders will:
- Continue reviewing all subjects in Western A and B Camps
- Work on lead changes
- Do precision riding
- Test skills with gymkhana courses and trail courses
- Do advanced trail riding
GREEN AS GRASS
No previous experience necessary. Western style riding for the very beginners. A perfect camp for First Time riders.
Campers will learn to:
- Lead, tie, saddle, bridle, groom their horses.
- Beginning equitation
- Common Horse Sense.
- Walk and trot with control and form
Day Camp Rates:
- 10-day camp: $969.
- 5-day camp: $520.
COUNSELOR'S ASSISTANT TRAINEE (C.A.T.)
Designed for older youth (14 or completed 7th grade) that have completed a minimum of 2 Garrod Farms Summer Day-Camp sessions, this program allows youth to assist the Counselor. C.A.Ts will help with the saddling and grooming of horses; help with lessons and trail rides; and care for a horse of their own for the duration of the Day Camp. Youth must be competent riders.
There is mandatory 1-day training prior to summer camp for all C.A.T.s. This will be on Sunday May 22 from 9:00-4:00.
CAT Rates:
- CAT: $525/ 2 wks
- CAT: $325/ 1 wk
Garrod Farms also offers day camps through the local recreation departments and YMCA's. Check your summer brochures from these organizations for more information!
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Children must follow Garrod Farms rules at all times.
When they leave the campus area, they must check out with the counselor and use the buddy system.
A minimum of 4 riding lessons are required for all camps except "Green As Grass". Formal lessons in Western or English Equitation are available at Garrod Farms Riding School. These lessons may be arranged at the time the child signs up for camp.
Phone the office for details (408)867-9527
22647 Garrod Rd., Saratoga, CA 95070







