Last week, I was lucky enough to be able to take my mare with me to our District 4-H Horse Camp in Virginia. 4-H Horse Camp is held every year and one of the great things about it is that it open to all riding disciplines. This year, the camp was filled with barrel racers, hunter and western pleasure horses, and dressage horses. Each day. the 4-H members are presented with a riding instructor from a different discipline. Speed was the first day where 4-H members were introduced to a barrel pattern and the proper way to ride one. Western pleasure was the second day. I had the privledge of teaching dressage the third day. A hunt seat instructor finshied the camp on the last day of instruction. It was fascinating to see the 4-Hers learn about each discipline. Us instructors were very aware that we were working with a variety of disciplines so each planned activities for a lesson that could apply across all disciplines. Riders received instruction on position, enhancing communication with your horse, and improving the horse’s movement. I enjoyed watching the riders stretch and reach outside thier comfort zones, but to also find many similarities between disciplines that could be very helpful for improvement.
I myself was able to squeeze in some riding during free time at the camp. At other times, I was supervising youth or helping with activies. During one of my free time rides, the main ring was set up with barrels from the barrel racing instructor. For fun, I decided that Kerry and I should try out a barrel pattern. After a little coaching from an adult leader, we rode the pattern at a trot and then at a canter/gallop. Not only was it fun, but I had Kerry’s complete attention with her thoughts of “whoa…what are we doing??” It was different and fun. I felt it was good to be reminded to step outside of our comfort zones sometimes and don’t be afraid to try something different. If you are a ring rider, take a trail ride sometime. If you only trail rider, maybe take a lesson in a ring sometime. We need to keep things different for our own benefit and for our horse’s sanity! Below is a video of Cowboy Dressage. I thought this was a fun video that clearly showed a mix of riding disciplines and the beauty to that mix. If you are having a hum-drum summer…mix it up!
