Meadowlark Horsemanship Camp - June 29-23rd, 2023

Please note: Our 2023 camp open to existing students and past campers only!

2023 Registration is now open, HERE!

• 2023 Camp Fees are $400 per camper (includes camp shirt).
  Camp runs 9AM-12PM, Monday through Friday, with a mini presentation on Friday for family. 
   
• 2023 camp is open to current and previous Meadowlark students and campers, ages 9-18.
   
• Campers must bring TWO masks with them to each day of camp. Masks are worn when unmounted, and vaccine booster cards may be shown to allow campers to ride unmasked. 
   
• Occasional exceptions will be made for experienced riders from other farms, on a case-by-case basis.

• All participants must be at least advanced enough to ride and steer at the trot independently.

• We highly recommend weekly riding lessons, if you are interested in getting your child into riding for the first time. This change may disappoint some, but our program is shifting to put more emphasis on weekly summer lessons and intensive programs for our students, where we are able to offer a higher caliber of riding education and a more ethically balanced program for our horses. 

• Horsemanship Week Rider Pre-requisites 

  • Level One - rider must be able to mount and ride in the walk independently, and trot independently or with minimal assistance

  • Level Two - rider must be able to trot and post independently.

  • Level Three - rider must be able to canter independently and be working on an understanding of connection and balance in the horse.

• Participants will spend the week tuning up their equestrian skills under saddle, on the ground, and in the barn.

• Horsemanship Weeks and Workshops will be 100% horsemanship centered, meaning the emphasis is on the rider/horse connection, and how we care for our horses physical and mental wellbeing while also gaining skill as equestrians.

2023 Registration is now open, HERE!

June 2022 - A letter from our senior camp coordinator, Emily Jenkins:

Dear Meadowlark Campers and Parents,

After fifteen incredible years of running our summer camp program, as camp coordinator and owner I have decided it is high time for a shift in focus!

Each summer our beloved camp horses work so hard for us. They put in hours and hours of work, carrying young riders safely through their first lessons. While this may appear to be relatively light work it is all done in addition to their busy workloads as lesson horses.

In recent years, as the horse world has gained new insight into how equines process and internalize stress, we have become aware that camps, no matter who runs them, are a significant source of physical and mental stress on horses. 

Since the very recent introduction of The Equine Discomfort Ethogram, a scientific tool now used by vets and professionals to interpret discomfort in the horse, I have shifted my program to move a little more at horse-speed.

We've introduced bit-less bridles for some of our beginner riders whose hands may not be as balanced on the horse's mouth, and we have further limited the amount of work that each horse does. We have also added digestive support for my horses in an effort to compensate for stress related gastric discomfort caused by an increase in work. These issues are not unique to our program, and unfortunately plague the horse world in all facets. 

With all of these changes, our program has flourished and our horses are healthier and happier than ever, but we still have to acknowledge that working with beginners in a camp setting is very stressful and difficult for our beloved horses. 

Going forward, we will be seeking new ways to format educational opportunities for our young riders . These new programs aim to be both rewarding for our riders as well as enriching and supportive for our horses.

This includes doing away with our traditional 5-day-beginner-camp format and introducing workshops, focus lessons and shorter intensive programs geared toward fun, safe, equestrian education that is horse-centric and fair to our equine partners.

This may seem extreme to some, but for us it is a question of ethics and moral obligation. These incredible beasts carry us safely in a partnership of trust and it is time for us to stand up for their needs.

A horse is kind by nature and and will give beyond their means, if asked. We have to respect that, and all of the responsibility that comes with it. 

Thank you all for your incredible support through the years. We look forward to seeing you all again soon, in our new and improved programs!

Sincerely,

 Emily Jenkins
Meadowlark Horse Camp Coordinator

Meadowlark 2023 Show Dates TBD

2022 Show Forms Here