Brumby

Imagine... You wake up to groom, tack up and feed your "own" horse in Brumby's large hillside barn. Then it's off to morning activities such as arts, theater, dance, sports, and waterfront. In the afternoon, the horses are yours again, for trail rides, skill development, show preparation and more. After dinner, you join the rest of the camp for a special evening program. Or your group might decide to spend the evening with the horses or enjoy a quiet campfire overlooking the valley.

WHAT IS BRUMBY? A unique English horseback riding program within a main camp setting… 16 campers, ages 10 to 14 spend four weeks expanding their stable management knowledge and improving their riding skills with 4 talented staff… The Brumby program is designed for enthusiastic, experienced campers who want to spend a month looking after their “own horse.”

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SETTING? Located at the top of a grassy hill overlooking the horse pasture and close to our new barn, the Brumby cabin houses 16 campers and 4 counselors. Nearby, the group makes use of a covered barn hosting 28 animals, 3 riding rings equipped with loads of jumps, and two spacious turnout pastures encompassing about 20 of HV's 300 acres. And we spend time on several horse trails throughout our woods.

WHO WILL DO WELL IN THIS PROGRAM? We are not looking for experts, and the presence of 3 riding rings makes it possible for the group to be divided into advanced and intermediate sections so all children in the program feel both comfortable and challenged.

Riding: Young people who… Feel confident cantering, and can complete both a sitting and posting trot… Know diagonals… Have done some jumping… Possess some group trail-riding experience.

Barn: Get yourself ready for… Grooming and tacking (putting a bit in the horse's mouth, lifting saddles, picking feet, etc.)… Approaching and working with pastured horses… Barn chores (cleaning up manure, toting hay bales, etc.)

Cabin: Some essential qualities… Desire to learn… Patience… Willingness to work hard… Independence is a key factor in the Brumby program, as 4 staff supervise 16 campers so you'll be on your own caring for a horse… Interest in being part of a group is important, as is… Absolute horse craziness!

"My daughter had a wonderful horseback riding experience. She was very impressed with the degree of care and concern that was taken during the evaluation process and the perfect match the instructors made for her to be placed in the advanced group of riders although she was the youngest member of Brumby."
-Brumby Mom

“The Brumby culture of hard work, responsibility and camaraderie is terrific and very special.” - Brumby Mom

WHAT ARE LESSONS LIKE? Each afternoon, experienced teachers help campers concentrate on improving dressage and jumping skills. Campers are grouped by ability and two local professional instructors come to Hidden Valley to provide more individualized instruction. Please call us for details.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT SPECIAL EVENTS? The traditional Brumby Horse Show, featuring jumping and other show events, kicks off Hidden Valley's monthly Fair Day at camp's end. Don't miss it! Hittin' the road... We may take a trip to a local farm to learn how to do vaulting. Doin' our thing... Brumby occasionally pulls out of evening programs. Campers can choose to do extra horsey activities, such as braiding, bathing, boots, bandages, bareback riding or a tack cleaning party. Call us for details! Special guests... You can see the Brumby campers assisting when the Vet came to visit.

“I’m not sure what I loved more, all the riding or those quiet mornings getting my horse ready for his day.” - Former Brumby Camper

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE?