Ranch Camp 2010

I think it's safe to say that the best week of Allison's year is the week she spends at Ranch Camp.

This year was particularly good for her because enrollment was down-so the kids didn't have to share their horses. That meant they got to spend more time with their horses, especially in the barn, because they also didn't have anyone sharing the chores.

At the end of the week, there is a "showdeo" so the campers' families can see them ride a bit. This was the part that made me glad enrollment was down. It gets tiresome to watch so many kids do exactly the same things as they circle the arena.



They start out walking the horse, going over some logs, and then they pick up the boot on the railing and move it to the next section of the fence. Some kids can't manage it but most are successful. It's probably good that the spectator section isn't placed so we can watch our kids leeeean over to pick it up and put it down.

After they place the boot, they can trot for a short distance, then manuever through some cones.

Then they head out to the middle of the arena, guided by yet more cones.

Allison on Buttercup

This year, for the first time, we saw a child get bucked off their horse (thankfully, she wasn't hurt). I was impressed by the way they dealt with it and got her back on the horse to finish her turn but I couldn't imagine how her parents managed to stay in the stands. I have to work to overcome my worry every year when Allison goes-I don't share her passion for horses at all-but she glows with happiness when she's around horses, so I have to keep praying and trusting that she'll be safe.