Ellenwood Horseback Riding Camp

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

After finishing up with the Pro Cup Karting camp I headed down to Ellenwood to complete my feature on sports themed summer camps. For year, the Ellenwood Equestrian Center has been teaching kids how to ride horses and enjoy the experience. I pulled up a long dirt driveway to find the campers being divied up into groups assigned to particular horses. The campers split up and started to care for their mounts, brushing them and getting their saddles ready for a trail ride. Soon the horses were ready as they headed onto a wooded path. Counselors, all of whom are experienced riders themselves, led the ride around the property as other campers climbed rock walls, swung on rope swings and waited for their turn.

Matthew Ford peaks into the equipment stall during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Matthew Ford peaks into the equipment stall during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Savannah Hamley (left), Julian Sloat and Avery Afeman brush down Cookie during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Savannah Hamley (left), Julian Sloat and Avery Afeman brush down Cookie during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Sydney Spoeth brushes Kola during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Sydney Spoeth brushes Kola during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

A saddle sits on a stable stall at Ellenwood Equestrian Center on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

A saddle sits on a stable stall at Ellenwood Equestrian Center on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Bennett Lindseth (left) and Skylar Skalicky clean out a horse's shoes before going on a trail ride during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Bennett Lindseth (left) and Skylar Skalicky clean out a horse’s shoes before going on a trail ride during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Avery Afeman climbs up on her horse during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Avery Afeman climbs up on her horse during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Sydney Spoeth (center) warms up her horse before going on a trail ride during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Sydney Spoeth (center) warms up her horse before going on a trail ride during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Dylan Steely (left) gets prepared to fly through the air as he is pulled back on a rope swing by Alex Marks during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Dylan Steely (left) gets prepared to fly through the air as he is pulled back on a rope swing by Alex Marks during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Anna Ruth Lewis climbs a rock wall during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

Anna Ruth Lewis climbs a rock wall during horseback riding summer camp at the Ellenwood Equestrian Center in Ellenwood on Wednesday, July 9, 2014.