Equestrians of all ages saddled up at Stonewall’s Red Barn last week to work on their skills.
The Quarry Ridge Pony Club (Stonewall) and the North Hill Pony Club (Oakbank) hosted a version of the annual regional summer camp — a staple in the Interlake’s youth equestrian community before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The camp is typically a week-long affair, but this year, the two pony clubs opted for a shorter version as they ease back into the post-pandemic world.
From Aug. 21 to 24, 17 children between 7 and 14 years old, nine chaperones and two instructors gathered for the camp on the South Interlake Rockwood Agricultural Society grounds. There, they camped for three nights and four days, waking up around 6 a.m. daily to feed their horses and clean the stalls before riding and lessons.
Karen MacLean, leader of the Quarry Ridge Pony Club, grew up as a club member. Manitoba Pony Club focuses on English-based riding and horse husbandry. Without the club, MacLean said she wouldn’t have learned to manage her horses’ care.
“Pony club teaches everything… Our goal is to create a well-rounded horse person.”
Pony club members start at the first level by learning about horses and how to lead them. They then move on to management and riding-based skills.
During the winter, the Quarry Ridge Pony Club meets weekly to review theory. Club members then move into riding lessons and stable management as the weather changes. The annual summer camp typically signals an end to the club’s season.
MacLean said summer isn’t summer without the camp, so she and her colleague Kayla Peniuk worked to get it back this year. MacLean is beyond happy they did, she said.
Each day of the cap, the riders had two lessons, an hour each. One was a jumping lesson instructed by Deb Shepherd of Tyndall/Garson and the other was a flat lesson where they learned equitation — the art and practice of horsemanship and horse riding, instructed by Dominic Good of Argyle and QRPC alumni.
Not every pony club member has their own horse, so camp week is extra important because it gives those members hands-on experience under the guidance of MacLean, Peniuk and parent chaperones.
“A lot of responsibility is given to the kids this week,” said MacLean. “And they rise to the occasion.”
Along with horse work, the campers do crafts and classroom education. On Aug. 23, the second last day of the camp, the riders had a western lesson on poles and barrels. Canadian Pony Club has a Western Rider badge, so all who completed this lesson will receive one.
Quarry Ridge Pony Club embodies the Canadian Pony Club’s motto: character, sportsmanship and loyalty. The group is always looking for new members. Even if someone doesn’t have a horse, the club will help them learn, MacLean said.
The new season kicks off in September. For those looking to get involved, contact MacLean at (204) 861-0191.
