RKTG Mid Summer Camp 2025 - Coxlake Days 3 & 4

Day 3 - June 22nd

After a broken night's sleep in the howling wind and rain, we dragged ourselves out of our beds to give our horses a cwtch and some breakfast. It was the morning we had all been waiting for - the Team Games! Starting with us each doing a round of TREC obstacles, judged by Chris and assisted by Dani & Bridget. Competitiors chose whether to do the obstacles led or ridden, the Kestrels got off to a great start with their team getting the 2 highest scores on the course. Next up pony games, with a selection of relays including the egg & spoon race, fast walking race and slow canter race. Again the Kestrels showed their adaptability and pipped the Kites at the post in the egg and spoon race. However the Buzzards showed their dressage skills in the slow canter and indeed were the overall winners of Pony Games 2025. Chris, the organiser and judge was quoted as saying, that the horses all behaved themselves extremely well but the riders had room for improvement! After a well earned lunch, most riders headed to the cross-country lessons with Jonathon Pett. The sense of exhilaration after each lesson was palpable, despite the middle lesson taking place in a storm. Riders returned beaming, with their steeds standing proud of their achievements. All agreed that JP is the bees knees! In the evening we had a talk and discussion on barefoot horses with Emily Davies of Eqiharmony. Emily was very knowledgeable and happy to share her ideas with the group. She joined us for a take-away curry dinner, which gave everyone the opportunity to get advice on their horses and hoof boots.

Day 4 - June 23rd

Last day at camp and it was just the die-hards and a dog at breakfast. The weather was bright and sunny and we headed off for one last blast on the obstacles and cross-country course, before the task of dismantling camp. We felt so fortunate to have held the camp at Coxlake, just to be able to wake up and head out to the fields was wonderful. Tim, Delyth and Maggie our hosts were so friendly and accommodating - we all enjoyed Tim's hot hose-pipe! We were so grateful for Dani for the immense amount of organisation and preparation that went into the camp. Her team of helpers, including Bridget & Chris helped deliver quality and fun in all the activities. It was great meeting up with old friends and making some new ones. We all agreed that next year's camp couldn't come soon enough and Mandy suggested we have two! Thank you friends for a wonderful weekend!