Equiteam member Sarah Swinton shares her camp experience – and it wasn’t the one she had planned.
I joined EquiTeam Connected last October, and after going to a few day camps with the wonderful Tom and realising what a great group this is, I was very excited to hear about the Equiteam Confidence Camps at Lindores Equestrian, Fife.
15 mins after the dates had been released and I had put my name down for every camp I could manage. In my excitement and hurry I hadn’t read all the necessary info and forgot to actually message my request ,resulting in being put on the wait list.
I was so disappointed, especially because I knew that this was exactly what Ken and I needed.
A few weeks passed and I was lucky enough to get a space (it really is worth going on the waiting list!).
My first confidence camp, I was really looking forward to this and so the prepping began. From fitness and accommodation, to packing and getting supplies – no stone was left unturned – or so I thought!
Unfortunately the day before camp I was due to go to a dressage competition when Ken went lame.
Hoping for a miracle
We went to camp anyway, with the hope that he would miraculously recover by the Monday morning. However, it wasn’t to be, but I decided to stay anyway. And how glad I was that I did.
I had never been to Lindores Equestrian before and I was so impressed with all of the facilities. It had everything you could ask for. Lovely outdoor school, working hunter and show jumping courses on grass, and the most amazing selection of XC jumps.
I arrived on the Sunday and put Ken into his stable, and I was delighted that he settled quickly with his new chums.
We went to the bothy for the evening where I met my camp mates. What a lovely bunch of like minded, friendly people. I quickly felt at ease and enjoyed the company.
There were lots of laughs and a few gins later I headed for bed, which was a ‘Bed in a shed’ – a tiny wooden hut that I shared with Gill.
I first met Gill when I moved to the same yard as her. She suggested I join EquiTeam and I’m very glad I did. (A big thank you to Gill).
Learning opportunities
The next few days were full of opportunities for learning, watching some very inspirational people, and having loads of fun.
Listening and watching Liz’s lessons was great, she teaches in a way that is completely understandable. It was great to watch everyone improving as the days passed and having such fun on their ponies. Flat work, grids, course jumping and XC training were all covered at camp, under the watchful eye of Liz who was making sure everyone had a great time, learned loads, built confidence and was having fun.
The evenings passed with some great entertainment. The first night was a fabulous talk from equine vet Hugh Somerville of Loch Leven Equine Practice, it was really informative and everyone got involved. We were all lucky to get a goody bag to take home.
The following evening was a quiz night which resulted in lots of laughs.
There were early morning runs for those keen beans, and had it been a tad warmer, we might have gone cold water swimming!
As for the catering, what can I say. Everything was absolutely delicious, Lou is certainly a very good cook.
Although I didn’t ride and it wasn’t the camp I expected, I had a fantastic time, learned lots, met some lovely people and I really recommend going to a camp (if you get your name down quickly and have a sound pony!).
Fingers crossed I get a space next time.
Sarah
Thank you Sarah for still coming to camp anyway – sometimes the biggest achievement isn’t about what you’ve achieved – it’s choosing to stay, support, keep learning, and showing up when walking away would have been the easier option. For that we have total respect.
