Trigger and I took part in the Horsham riding club camp at Littleton Manor in Reigate, with three friends (all camp first timers). We had an amazing time - so if you read no further... please go it is brilliant!!
We received a very friendly welcome from the lovely Ros on Friday morning, settled our horses into their stables and headed to our first 2 hour session at 10am. Our group (one of three) had all said one of our favourite disciplines was XC, so off we went with Ken Spencer. Trigger was leaping about with enthusiasm and I was debating why I declared on my form that XC was a favourite and whether I was brave or stupid having only done a handful of XC clinics! I didn't need to worry as Ken was there. He got us warmed up and we were able to channel Triggers energy (which subsided to just celebratory shapes after the odd fence he thought he'd done particularly well at!). There was a huge variety of fences, with a wide range of different heights and difficulties. Lots to see for everyone, whether young, inexperienced or those wanting more of a challenge.
We had two hour lunch breaks and then our second sessions were 2-4pm each afternoon (all sessions were optional depending on your horse and you). So day one, we had individual flatwork lessons and Ken was yet again absolutely fantastic! Trigger is the first horse I've had from a four year old and Ken was unbelievably helpful. I asked for some help with our impulsion and transitions which is exactly what I got and more! We worked on some exercises that I am now able to use at home.
Ros and Caroline provided a delicious BBQ in the evening that we enjoyed in the marquee and shared our day with the other groups. We did a friendly quiz to end our first brilliant day of camp. What a lovely group of people to meet, so friendly and welcoming. Everyone got along really well and their horses too (particularly Boris and Stanley! 🐴).
Day two was SJ in the morning and XC in the afternoon. SJ we worked on our phases of jumping, maintaining our rhythm between fences, which linked really nicely with our flatwork! Having Ken for all of our sessions meant he knew our horses and us really well and it felt like we were building on each session and applying everything we were learning.
For dinner we headed to the Skimmington Castle pub a few minutes walk down the bridleway. The food was delicious, I'd highly recommend the Smoked Haddock Florentine and Churros for dessert! The company was fantastic, lots of horsey chat and we've all made some new horsey friends!
The final day we had a polework session in the morning which made all of our brains hurt! Ken was incredibly patient and encouraging. We achieved loads and had some breakthrough moments! To end our fabulous weekend there was a friendly SJ competition in the afternoon which even included rosettes.
Ken certainly earned his money with our group as we fired question after question at him! He's just a fountain of knowledge and experience that is priceless. He has a gift and to top it off, is completely modest, has a great sense of humour and delivers everything in a manner that makes you believe in yourself (so you do things like jump down a step that feels to you, like the Hickstead Derby bank!).
Thank you to Ros and the riding club, I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to attend such a wonderful camp. Thank you Ken for his exceptional teaching. The other groups spoke equally highly of their instructors and the whole experience! I asked for education, confidence building and enjoyment, and that's exactly what was delivered over the three days! I don't think I can really express how much we enjoyed it and how beneficial camp was for Trigger and I, we absolutely bloody loved it!
Rachel & Trigger