End of Season Training Camp - September

Spend three days* training with both Caroline Meads BHSI (Stage Five Performance Coach) and Claire Dodson BSc, BHS Stage 4 Complete Senior Coach and UKCC Level 3. Caroline received the BHS East Coach of the Year award, and Claire is a highly experienced trainer and competitor, primarily in eventing, but also coaches across all Riding Club and Pony Club activities.

This is our last Training Camp of the year, with a focus on training and developing the horse-and-rider partnership, and enjoying time with your horse and fellow campers in this relaxed setting. On offer will be flat work, poles and show jumping. As the nights start to draw in and the air turns crisp, this is your last chance to get some solid training in before winter sets in, ideal if you and your horse do your best work once the summer heat has gone.

*Want more? Want to come early? This camp will offer a optional early arrival package, from 12 noon on Monday 13th which will include plenty of time to hack, a social BBQ, with fun ice breaker quiz and a cooked breakfast. Full details on this extra will be sent with the balance request on the 21st of June. Please note, this will be subject to the centres minimum number requirements being met.

Adult Training Camp information 2027

This training camp is open to all riders who are able to walk, trot and canter in an enclosed arena with other riders, i.e. like a collecting ring. You do not need to be able to jump to attend this camp; jumping is optional. The training camp is aimed at the everyday grass-roots rider through to the aspiring competition rider, with all levels catered for. Not able to canter at the moment? Please see Confident Rider Places below.

At each camp I now offer three Confident Rider Places: places for riders who can ride and have walked, trotted and cantered in the past, but who currently, for whatever reason, need a little support to once again ride with the confidence they used to have. These places include a private, online, one-to-one session with me, Jan. During the session we'll start building your confidence before you even pack the lorry. There is extra support at camp, should you need it.

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. There is also the option to add an early arrival, should you want to arrive on the Sunday. Details will be sent with the balance request, eight weeks before camp.

The cost of this camp is £439 and includes a stable for your horse and six lessons. 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. Tea, coffee and juice are also included. A vegetarian alternative is offered, and intolerances can be catered for. Lifestyle diets, for example low-carb or vegan, will need to be discussed directly with the centre and may incur an extra cost.

There are two lessons each day, with relaxed, informal talks on both Monday and Tuesday. There is plenty of time to hack and watch others each day. Numbers in each session are kept small, with an aim of four riders per session. Each lesson is an hour long, though it may be split into smaller groups with the time adjusted. This can happen for the afternoon session if the weather is very hot, so you might have two riders having a semi-private lesson for 30 minutes, rather than four for an hour. The coach will group people wanting to do similar work at a similar level into session times; these may change day to day, as 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 your arrival accordingly.

The Venue

The camp is set at Forest Edge Arena, run by Sam and Mathew. It's an equestrian competition centre 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 of.

The venue offers a warm, friendly welcome. The facilities include stables, indoor toilets and showers*, a snug and cafe, a 77x35m indoor arena with an Andrew Bowen pro-wax surface, and 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'd find when camping. There may be a wait at peak periods.

You need to bring a tent, horsebox, etc. to sleep in. Electric hook-ups are available as an extra — book directly with the centre.

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

Dogs: a dog may be brought to camp with my agreement in advance. 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. Please be aware that you are responsible for your dog, its safety and its behaviour; I take no responsibility for any dog brought to camp.

Camp Rules & Disclaimer

Lessons

As this is an adult camp, tack inspections will not be made at the beginning of each lesson. We ask that before you come to camp 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 your 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 provided by Forest Edge. Any damage, for example holes in stable 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 or jacket and make sure both mine and the centres numbers are in your mobile.

Camp Disclaimer

The instructors, the venue and I 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 effective, everyone must take reasonable precautions to avoid and prevent accidents themselves.

Guests

Please speak to me directly if someone would like to come and see you at camp. Guests are welcome, but I like to know who is on site for security reasons.

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, so 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 come 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.

The presence of any stallion must be notified to the organiser 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 stallion deemed 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 six 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 horse's passport with you 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 recommend 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 (more than eight weeks before camp)

A refund of the £85 deposit is only given on production of a vet's or Dr's certificate stating the horse or 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 — from eight weeks before camp, once the balance is due

No refunds can automatically be given, no matter what the circumstances, vet's/Dr's 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 cancellation, the harder this is.

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