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Summer Horsemanship Program

During the summer, instructors at the Karen Stives '68 Equestrian Center offer an intensive and educational summer program. 

Overview

Riders develop their skills under saddle as well as participate in hands-on horsemanship workshops. The program focuses on hunt-seat equitation and emphasizes safety, learning control, correct position, and developing confidence at beginning through advanced levels. Each rider experiences a classroom without boundaries that inspires discipline, responsibility, and teamwork.

Who

Riders of ALL experience levels are welcome — including first-timers!

  • Sessions 1- 4 are open to young riders between the ages of 9-15 year old. 
  • Session 5 is dedicated to 7-9 year olds. 

Dates and Rates

Camp runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Tuition is $750/week (see below for payment policies).

  • Session 1 - June 17 to June 21 Session is FULL. Contact Dani Corkill to be added to the waitlist.
  • Session 2 - June 24 to June to July 5 Session is FULL. Contact Dani Corkill to be added to the waitlist.
  • Session 3 - July 8 to July 19 Session is FULL. Contact Dani Corkill to be added to the waitlist.
  • Session 4 - July 22 to August 2 Session is FULL. Contact Dani Corkill to be added to the waitlist.
  • Session 5 - August 5 to August 9 (Ages 7-9 only) Session is FULL. Contact Dani Corkill to be added to the waitlist.

Typical Day

  • Camp check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. on the equestrian center patio.
  • Hands-on, unmounted horsemanship lesson: over the course of the camp session, campers will learn about various types of tack and training aids, nutrition, horse colors, markings and breeds, and many other important aspects of horse care. 
  • Campers will then groom and tack their assigned horse in pairs. While one partner rides, the other partner will help with stable duties, including stall cleaning, scrubbing water buckets, and picking paddocks, and then the partners will switch and those doing barn chores will ride and those who just rode will do barn barn chores. 
  • After lessons and barn chores are completed, partners will take care of their horse and tack before breaking for lunch on the patio.
  • Following lunch, we will have a horse-related arts and crafts project (pool noodle horses, creating miniature jumps, etc.) or fun activity before campers are picked up at 1 p.m.

Fun Fridays

  • Final Friday Exhibition: Family and friends are invited to come watch their rider's lessons from 10:00 to 11:15 on the final Friday of camp. 
  • First Friday Fun-Khana: For our two-week sessions (Sessions 2, 3, and 4), campers will enjoy gymkhana events (mounted games) on the first Friday of their session.

What to Bring

ASTM approved riding helmet, jodhpurs-style long pants, hard-soled paddock boots, snack and lunch, and water bottle (water bubblers for refills located at the barn). Campers are also welcome to bring a change of clothes.

The Dana Hall Summer Horsemanship Program is permitted by the Wellesley Health Department.