Child 1 Age 6 - 9 (Female)
Program(s) focused in Horseback Riding/Equestrian
(4.5) Overall experience
My daughter (now 9), started going to Kildare Riding Camps in the summer when she was 6, and she looks forward to it as being a part of her summer every year since. We try to register for as many weeks as we can manage because it's her happy place! She is always very excited about riding camp, she gets a bit nervous right before camp but she always knows one or two people, and it's the one place where she doesn't let her nerves and shy personality stop her!
(4) Reason for choosing the camp
The Kildare property, Kildare staff, incredible coaches, and great horses always make for a great day at camp! The bathroom situation makes my daughter nervous as it's a potty only, and she comes home very filthy but it's the sign of a good day. It's a great experience for both beginner riders and advanced because the more time the better in the barn!
(4) Program quality and activities
My daughter is horse-obsessed. This is where she started riding at age 4 and she is now 9. It's her happy place, she is comfortable and happy to join any activity at Kildare, which isn't the case for her outside of this place. She has made some friends at these camps, and it's a good chance for her to be a leader now as she's more experienced.
(4) Social dynamics and experience
These camps are wildly helpful in my daughter's confidence as a leader and in her equine knowledge. As a horse-obsessed person, the more she can learn and do on her the better for her safety and confidence moving forward. There have been times when some of the campers are older than her and she finishes the day with some "learned behaviors" that aren't age-appropriate, but I have also come to know that she can handle herself in older and younger crowds.
(4) Skills and growth
My daughter has learned so much at these camps, including equine care, equipment care, barn chores, the equine industry, personal care in an outdoor facility, confidence in social groups of all ages, ability to fight through nerves to ride different horses than she is used to, how to be a leader to younger and newer participants, and working through a long physical day.
(2.5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
Staff, instructors, and campers are like family at this point as it's a small group of adults and older teenagers who have been around the property since my daughter started at these camps 4 years ago. There have been some instances where her age was overlooked, where she needed to still be babied a bit more than what was available. She needs help with sunscreen and keeping herself cool on hot summer days.
(4.5) Advice and tips
I would recommend this camp if your child is curious enough to spend entire days outside immersed in the barn life no matter what the weather. It's a rain or shine, cold or hot, physically demanding day. But if they are horse curious they will enjoy the somewhat grueling outdoor experience. There are a lot of benefits to learning to care for huge beautiful animals on a big farm, as a child and it goes beyond the equine world.
Riding camps at Kildare Stables are great for all ages from never-been-on-a-horse-before to the experienced rider preparing for local shows. Off-horse activities are fun and the coaches and staff are ...
Both of my granddaughters have been to camps at Kildare during the summer and the March break camps. They love being there and learning about the horses and helping to care for them. The girls have l...
