MULLEY MACDONALD: Saddled up for fun at Sunrise Stables

The staff at Sunrise Stables on Johnston Road in Georges River are offering kids the summer experience of a lifetime. Those six years old and over are invited to come out for an unforgettable summer of horseback riding, friendship, and memory making. Summer riding camp has returned and stable owner Charlene Clarke said she looks [...]

The staff at Sunrise Stables on Johnston Road in Georges River are offering kids the summer experience of a lifetime. Those six years old and over are invited to come out for an unforgettable summer of horseback riding, friendship, and memory making. Summer riding camp has returned and stable owner Charlene Clarke said she looks forward to this time of year.

She said they welcome campers who are eager to learn as much as they can about horseback riding. Clarke said the objective of the camp is to offer kids the opportunity to learn everything there is to know about horseback riding and ownership with safety being a priority. “I have been offering these camps for decades now and I can honestly say that it is one of my favourite things about being a part of the stable.

The kids are so eager to learn. Some of them have had experience riding and others have never even been around a horse.” Clarke said the campers are eager to learn.

She said their enthusiasm is a good thing because there is a lot for them to learn. “There is really so much to horseback riding. It is not just about getting on the horse and going, campers need to know several things before they even get to that point.

We begin by introducing the campers to the horses. They get to pet them and be around them and get comfortable with them,” she said. “We use our own horses here at the stables.

The horses are very familiar with people, they have been part of training riders for many years now. They are comfortable with the riders and the riders are comfortable with them. The kids are always so happy to meet the horses and by the end of the camp they have usually claimed a favourite.”

‘WELL-ROUNDED EXPERIENCE’ Stephanie Axworthy is an integral member of the staff of Sunrise Stables. She heads up the therapeutic riding classes offered at the facility. She said the summer riding camping schedule is pretty comprehensive.

“We offer campers a well-rounded experience. They not only get to ride the horses, they learn about the basic anatomy of a horse, they learn about how to saddle a horse, how to groom a horse and are even involved in mucking out the stables,” she said. “Stable management is a huge part of owning a horse.

The kids see first hand how much actual work is involved in owning a horse. Feeding and caring for the horses is time consuming but is a very important part of owning a horse. “It is great to see how much fun the kids are having.

They are very eager to learn. They know that once they have learned how to take care of a horse and the safety features they need to practise while on the horse they are ready to ride.” Julia MacMillan is a volunteer at Sunrise Stables.

She herself learned to horseback ride there. She said when she aged out of camp a few years ago she wanted to continue to remain a part of it and decided to volunteer. “I have been coming to Sunrise Stables for about 12 years.

I learned to ride here and I was part of the summer riding camp for a long time. Now I like to help out with the camp because it is important for me to stay a part of it,” she said. “It is an awesome experience.

The staff here are wonderful, they are so patient and are very careful to make sure the kids are being taught to ride properly so that they don’t develop any bad habits in the future. They spend a lot of time teaching the kids how to be safe on a horse.” In addition to learning about all things horses, participants in the riding camp say it is a great way to spend time socially.

It is also a way to make new friends, create lasting memories and just simply have a ton of fun. Camp days are jam packed with activity, when they are not grooming, mucking, feeding or otherwise tending to or riding the horses they are taking part in arts and crafts. The crafts most often relate to horseback riding and are designed to give the campers the full summer camp experience.

Weekly camps will continue throughout the summer months Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Spaces are limited. Those interested in reserving a spot for their children can contact the office at 902-794-8359.

Sherry Mulley MacDonald is an