Fun ODE/Combine Training Camp with Caroline Meads & Clare Pettitt

Do you love training and working with coaches to improve your all-round performance? Enjoy all three disciplines - flat/dressage, SJ & XC. Then read on, this camp might be for you! This camp includes jumping so you must be able to jump a X pole, it's not suitable for flat only riders - See our June Camp for this. The training camp is aimed at the everyday grass roots rider to the aspiring competition rider, with all levels catered for. The XC is lower levels, from 12inch logs to 70cm fences. We start with flat in a school, then jumping indoors before moving to a small enclosed paddock before moving to the XC field. It's all relaxed lower level and ideal for people wanting to give a ODE a go, it would suit those on young or green horses.  

On days one and two you will be having two lessons each day, these will include flat, jumping and XC. On day three you will have a mini ODE competition or do Combine Training if that suits you better! Test riding tips & course walking with a coach will be included. Rosettes and trophies included! 

Your coaches are Caroline Meads, a BHS Stage Five Performance Coach (BHSI) and Clare Pettitt BHS Stage 4 Coach. 

Adult Training Camp information 2025 

Enjoy three days/two nights in the beautiful Breckland countryside at the peaceful Forest Edge Arena. There is plenty of time to chill and unwind with a leisurely hack, through the forest and surrounding countryside.

The cost of this Camp is £345 and includes:

A stable for your horse, lessons & competition entry, rosettes etc. Also included is Lunch and dinner on day one, a cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner on day two and a cooked breakfast and lunch on day three. Also included are tea, coffee & juice. Vegetarian alternative is offered, and intolerances can be catered for. Lifestyle diets, for example low carb/vegan will need to be discussed direct with the center and may incur an extra cost.

There is plenty of time to hack and watch others each day. The numbers in sessions are small with the aim of 4 riders in each. Each lesson is an hour long or maybe spilt into smaller numbers with the time adjusted. This can happen for the afternoon session if the weather is very hot. So, you may have two riders having a semi-private for 30mins, rather that four for an hour. The coach will sort people wanting to do similar at similar levels into session times, these may change day to day – there are no set groups.

Your camp starts from 8.30am on the first day, you will know your session time in advance so you can plan arrival time accordingly. Want to come early? Early arrival, the night before can be booked direct with the center and paid for along with hook-ups and haylage/bedding etc A link will be sent out three/four weeks before camp.

The Venue

The camp is set at Forest Edge Arena, run by Sam and Mathew, it’s an equestrian competition centre set in the heart of Breckland. This is an unspoilt and picturesque area of Breckland (Norfolk), which means this will be a peaceful holiday with your horse. Forest Edge has direct access to the forest and offers miles of off-road hacking, which you can take advantage off.

The venue offers a warm friendly welcome. The facilities include, stables, indoor toilets & showers*, a snug & cafe, a 77x35m indoor arena, which has an Andrew Bowen pro-wax surface & a large outdoor arena.

* There are two showers, which cost £1 for five minutes, these can be affected by water pressure and are typical of what you would find when camping. There may be a wait time at peak periods.

You need to bring a tent/horse box etc to sleep in, electric hook ups are available as an extra, book with centre direct.

Lodges can be booked here https://www.forestedgelodges.com/

Dogs: a dog may be bought to camp with the acknowledgement of myself. Please do not bring a dog that is prone to barking as it upsets the peace and tranquillity of the setting and disturbs other campers. Dogs should be kept on leads while on the yard.

Camp Rules & Disclaimer

Lessons

As this is an adult camp, tack inspections will not be made at the beginning of each lesson. We ask before you come to camp that you check all tack for signs of wear and tear and make sure it’s clean and well fitting. Should you have any concerns about your tack or fitting please speak to your coach at the start of your first lesson.

Please make sure you’re at the place of lesson just before the start time and are mounted so the coach can start each lesson promptly. Please make sure you pass left to left in the schools and walk on the inside track.

Stables and Forest Edge equipment

You are responsible for any damage to the stables or equipment provide by Forest Edge, any damage, i.e. ‘holes in stables walls’ will need to be paid for by the camper directly to Forest Edge, I accept no responsibility for any damage your horse may do. All campers must have third party insurance.

Hacking

If you plan on hacking please bring a Hi-Viz tabard/jacket. Please make sure someone knows where you are going and how long you plan to be. Please add both the center & my mobile number to your phone contacts, please make sure you have this with you when you hack.

Camp Disclaimer

The Instructors, myself and venue have taken reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone present. Full risk assessments have been made and are available for anyone to see. For these measures to be affective, everyone must take reasonable precautions to avoid and prevent accidents themselves.

Guests

Please speak directly to me if you have someone who would like to come to see you at camp. Guests are welcome, but I like to know who is on site for security reasons. If they are coming at meals times please advise the kitchen and pay directly for their food.

Loading

The camp closes at 4pm on the last day, both the instructors and I are keen at this time to return home to our families; therefore, we are unable to help load difficult loaders. If you have a horse that can be tricky to load, please arrange for a friend to turn up and help you load at the end of camp.

Booking Terms and conditions

Horses

• All horses must be no younger than four years of age and be of an appropriate fitness level for the activity being undertaken – hooves and shoes must be in good condition.
• Tack must be suitable, in safe condition and fit correctly.
• Any stallions must be informed to the organizer at the time of booking. No person may bring a stallion without ensuring, at all times, that other riders, horses and members of the public are not at risk. Stallions should be identifiable by a bridle tag and/or yellow tail ribbon. Any stallions deemed to be unsafe by the organiser may be directed to leave the site.
• All horses must be up to date with annual equine influenza vaccinations and must be 6 days clear from their most recent vaccination. Spot checks will be made at the event.
• Horses should not be left unattended when tied to horseboxes.
• It is a legal requirement to have your horses’ passport when travelling to events.

Riders

• Hats to the current standard must be worn and correctly secured at all times when mounted. Please check yours meets current standards which can be found at http://www.bhs.org.uk/headwear
• Body protectors are strongly recommended and should comply with current standards – also found on the BHS website at http://www.bhs.org.uk/body-protectors
• All riders must wear suitable riding footwear when mounted. Wellington boots and trainers are not allowed.
• I strongly recommends wearing hi-viz when hacking & riders are advised to carry a mobile phone and be aware of the emergency contact number for the event.

Payment & T&C

A non-refundable deposit of £85 will secure your place. The balance must

be paid at least eight weeks before camp is due to take place.

• Refund of Deposit before the balance is paid (eight weeks before camp).

A refund of the £85 deposit is only given on production of a vet’s/Dr’s

certificate stating the horse/you will not be fit for work in the month of camp.

No refunds of deposit are given for change of mind or circumstances.

• Refund of Total

Eight weeks before camp the following will apply:

A full refund will be given on production of a vet’s or Dr’s certificate stating the

horse/you is not fit or likely to be fit for work in the camp month.

Less than six weeks before camp.

No refunds can automatically be given no matter what the circumstances,

Vet’s/Dr certificate or otherwise. At this late stage I may not be able to fill your

place and the centre and coach will still need paying.

However, I will try to fill your space, the later the cancelation the harder

this is.

As with all holidays it’s advisable to get insurance, then should you need to cancel, this would cover your holiday cost.