Summer Camp Directory
By Kelly Sanchez May 1, 2011Stables and riding schools throughout Southern California are once again gearing up for a new crop of young summer riders. There are camps for virtually every horse lover from 5 to 18 years old—sleepaway and day camps, programs for those wishing to develop their Western, dressage and jumping skills and camps designed for riders with disabilities. Most combine riding lessons with games and arts and crafts as well as education, and many offer campers the chance to compete at horse shows.
Here’s a selection of summer horse camps in the Southland that will ensure that this summer is filled with horses:
Altadena Stables, Altadena
Established in 1921, Altadena Stables offers full- or half-day lessons and educational and fun horse-related activities to kids 5 to 18 years old, June 20–24, July 5–8 and August 1–5; $325 (half day; 8:30 a.m. to noon) to $550 (full day, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) per session (July camp is $260 for half-day and $420 for full-day sessions). Altadena Stables also partners with the La Cañada Child Educational Center (www.ceconline.org) and the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (http://girlscoutsla.org/) to offer additional day camp opportunities. Call 626-797-2012; http://altadenastables.blogspot.com/.
Carol Fallon Riding Center, San Juan Capistrano
Now in its 15th year, the camp, located at Sycamore Trails Stable, offers a small group experience for beginning and intermediate riders ages 5–14. The four-day sessions will run most weeks throughout the summer, from the end of June through the end of August, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $325/session, with multi-camp and family discounts available. Call 949-673-3746; www.carolfallonridingcenter.com.
Elvenstar, Moorpark
For more than 15 years, Elvenstar has offered a 5-day-a-week summer camp for riders 7 and up, teaching all aspects of horsemanship, from riding skills to horse care. There are two riding sessions every day as well as arts and crafts, games and camp horse shows. This summer’s session begins June 13 and will run through the end of August, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (extended care available). $400/week. Call 805-529-2800; www.elvenstar.com.
Enterprise Farms, Los Angeles
Enterprise Farms owner Gene Gilbert has been offering weekly day camps for 18 years, and whether campers are learning to ride one of her rare Caspian horses or doing arts and crafts, the emphasis is on fun. Ages 6 and up. Weekly sessions at the Paddock Riding Club run from June 20 through August 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $495/week includes camp horse show and lunch every Friday ($395 for July 5–8 session). Call 323-665-8977; www.enterprisefarms.com.
Foxfield Riding School, Westlake Village
Foxfield’s overnight riding camp for girls ages 9 to 16 has given beginning to advanced riders the opportunity to learn grooming, tack and horse care and have the chance to do vaulting, trail riding and cross country and participate in camp horse shows. There are 5 two-week sessions from June 19 through August 21. (Campers can bring own horse for additional fee.) $2,100/session (short session, Aug. 14–21, is $1,500). Call 805-495-5515; www.foxfield.com.
Hayden Show Jumping & Riding School, Laguna Hills
Run by head trainer Mickey Hayden at the beautiful Nellie Gail Equestrian Center, the full-service show barn offers four-day-a-week camps for riders ages 5 to 12. Campers will get a solid foundation in correct equitation and safe horse handling, along with horse-related games, arts and crafts and contests. There are 9 sessions from July 5 through September 1, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 949-448-0823; www.mickeyhayden.com.
Mill Creek Equestrian Center, Topanga
Set on 28 acres in Old Topanga Canyon, Mill Creek is geared primarily toward dressage and eventing riders. Running June 21 through the end of August, the four-day-a-week day camp is tailored to riders ages 6 and up from beginning through Fourth Level, and goes from 9 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m., depending on riding level. Campers also learn handling, grooming and horse care. $80/day. Call 310-455-1116; www.millcreekequestriancenter.com.
Ojai Valley School, Ojai
The coed boarding school opens its doors each summer to beginning, intermediate and advanced equestrians ages 8–17 who want to strengthen their riding skills in 2-, 4- or 6-week sessions from June 26 to August 6. Older students with prior riding experience can apply to the 3- or 6-week Competitive Riding Program, which also offers classroom sessions on veterinary care, stable management and training techniques. (Campers can bring their own horse with approval of the equestrian director.) Afternoon activities include swimming, archery, tennis, photography and ceramics. From $1,460–$4,160 (day camp) to $2,880–$8,210 (boarding). Call 805-646-1423; www.ovs.org.
Rainbow Canyon Ranch, Azusa
Located at the 35-acre hunter/jumper training facility, the day camp is open to boys and girls from 7 to 17 of all experience levels, with daily riding lessons, lessons on horse care and hands-on sessions on grooming, bathing and tacking, games on horseback as well as arts and crafts. Camp horse shows and pizza parties on Fridays. Horse Masters Camp (one lesson per day) runs June 21–24 and July 12–15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $380. Call 626-334-9480; www.rainbowcanyonranch.com.
Rawhide Ranch, Bonsall
Since 1963 Tom and Val Ewan have offered 7- to 15-year-olds an authentic ranch experience, from learning about animals and their care, Western riding, vaulting, archery or roping to getting an introduction to rodeo, drama and cowboy poetry. The 37-acre camp has a Western fort, a cowboy bunkhouse and a covered wagon as well as a swimming pool. Nine week-long sessions run from June 20 through August 21. $895/week. Call 760-758-0083; www.rawhideranch.com.
San Pascual Stables, South Pasadena
Located in the Arroyo Seco, San Pascual specializes in hunter/jumper training. In addition to teaching 7- to 12-year-olds how to ride, groom and care for horses, the camp offers games on horseback, arts and crafts and horse shows every Friday. There are 10 week-long, themed sessions (Sunday through Saturday), from June 20 through August 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. $425/week or $800 for a consecutive two-week session. Call 323-258-4582 or 323-258-3999; www.sanpascualstables.net.
Silver Spur Stables, Glendale
Adjacent to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Silver Spur offers year-round Saturday and holiday camp programs for kids ages 7 and up. In summer, manager Suzanne Firestone-Peika organizes weekly trail rides and field trips for campers along with 2 rides a day (one lesson and one practice) in addition to time spent with the goats, sheep, chicken, ducks and rabbits that live on the property. Camp runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from mid-May through mid-September. $400/week, with a 30% discount for 3 weeks or more. Call 818-567-4874, or click on the Silver Spur tab at http://hoopertrailhorses.com/.
Traditional Equitation School, Burbank
Located at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, TES is one of the largest riding schools in the country and the first on the West Coast to achieve status as a British Horse Society Approved Riding Establishment. Boys and girls learn about horses from the ground up—from grooming and tacking to how to stop, steer, walk, trot and canter. There are 10 five-day sessions, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from June 20 through August 26 (extended care available). $395/week or $100/day. Call 818-569-3666; www.traditionaleq.com.
Zacharosa Farms, Malibu
From July 4 through August 19, trainer Angie Grove and her staff will offer weekly camp sessions for riders aged 6–13, featuring riding lessons, horse care instruction, swimming, trail rides, arts and crafts and more. Students have the option to bring their own horse or pony. Each session runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. $400/week (extended care available). Call 818-391-8958; www.zacharosafarms.com.
Special Needs Horse Camps
Ahead With Horses, Sun Valley
Now serving more than 200 children and youth each week, the program has sought to maximize the potential of young people with physical and developmental disabilities and other special needs through equestrian therapy, recreation and activities like vaulting. Call 818-767-6373; http://aheadwithhorses.org/.
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, San Juan Capistrano
For some 30 years individuals with developmental and physical disabilities and emotional and behavioral challenges have participated in horseback riding and therapeutic activities at the Shea Center, a Premier North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Accredited Center. Call 949-240-8441; www.sheacenter.org.
MACH 1 (Move A Child Higher), Pasadena
Founded by Joy Rittenhouse in 1996, MACH 1 is a Premier NARHA Accredited Center that offers equine-assisted activities to children and youth with disabilities. Call 626-798-1222; www.moveachildhigher.org.
Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship, Chatsworth and Newbury Park
A Premier NARHA Accredited Center, Ride On teaches horseback riding to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities at its two locations. In addition to hippotherapy and therapeutic riding lessons, Ride On offers equine-assisted psychotherapy and lessons for siblings as well. Call 818-700-2971 or 805-375-9078; www.rideon.org.
Special Equestrian Riding Therapy/SERT, Moorpark
Founded in 1987 and located at the Classic Equestrian Center since 2008, SERT serves individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and autism as well as ADD and learning disabilities. There are trail riding opportunities as well as programs for siblings. Call 805-523-1244 or 818-776-6476; www.sert.org.
Special Spirit Inc., Shadow Hills
Located at Moonshadow Ranch, Special Spirit seeks to provide a safe and serene place where children and adults alike can socialize with and interact with animals. It offers equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding to individuals with cognitive, physical and emotional challenges. Call 323-428-5005; www.specialspirit.org.
The Children’s Ranch, Los Angeles
Children with special needs and their families can safely and meaningfully interact with horses and other animals at Children’s Ranch, whether in private or assisted therapeutic riding sessions or with other children in once-a-month sessions called Horseplay Sundays that offer participants the chance to care for the ranch’s resident animals. Saddle Club Sundays offer 10- to 14-year-olds the chance to develop their riding skills and interact with other kids. Call 213-447-6456; www.thechildrensranch.com.
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