It's not really news that my girls love horses. I mean, they really, really love horses. We drive by them daily, we read about them at home. We watch Horseland on repeat, and my two year old can identify horses by their coat color, "that's a Palomino, that's an Appaloosa, that's a Paint." And likewise, I know more about horses than I did a few years ago.
When we decided that Cam would finish pre-school at the end of July, we needed a camp or activity for her to do for a week. I gave her several options, gymnastics camp, dance camp, or horse camp. Naturally, she chose horse camp. So, I got in touch with the
the Ranch where she
had her birthday party last January. I was a bit concerned that Camdyn might be on the young side to participate, but I was assured that they have children come to camp that are younger than 5 1/2.
After trading a few very informative and encouraging emails with the owner, Kathy, I decided to register Camdyn for 3 days of horse camp. I decided that going Mon, Wed, Friday, would offer her a day of rest from the intense Florida heat and humidity in between her horse camp days. Approximately $275 later and she was all set to go.
We arrived at LVR at about 8:45 on Monday morning. Cam was beaming ear to ear and was 10 kinds of excited about the horses already. I, on the other hand, had knots in my stomach and 10 thousand questions running through my mind. I signed her in, had a quick chat with her leader about sunscreen, her lunch, pick up time, and keeping her safe. I signed a waiver, Cam tried on a helmet and she was off to the barn.
I was left standing there having a "mommy moment." She's really growing up. She's not scared about this? She'll be here all day, she knows no one? Should this have been harder for her? In that moment as I walked to my truck I decided I would pick her up as soon as possible that afternoon. So, I showed up at 3:00.
She was happy, dirty, sweaty and exhausted...and thoroughly peeved that she missed her afternoon bareback session because I showed up early. Like a good Momma, I promised her she could stay for bare back riding on Wed & Friday.
I made good on that promise. I sat at a picnic table, armed with my zoom lens (which was fogged up from the humidity) and photographed Camdyn riding bare back for the first time. She trotted in her early morning lesson, but soon discovered that riding bare back did not afford her the same confidence.
Her instructor would remind her "pick up the reigns, Camdyn, and tell that horse where to go." And she would. She needed the reminder.
"Camdyn turn that horse around and go the other way. Look over your shoulder in the direction you want your horse to go."
That's what she did in the photo above. She turned her horse, named Special, around. 180 degrees, around, pride written all over her face, along with extreme concentration. My heart swelled for her.
Sometimes we forget that children have milestone moments on a regular basis. Moments where they accomplish something that may not seem like a big deal to others, who do it regularly, but for them, it's a big deal. Controlling that horse, that one time, was a big moment for Camdyn.
When I asked Camdyn who her best friend at Horse Camp is, she replied, "Molly."
Molly is a horse.
This does not surprise me.
Her experience at horse camp was a positive one. Sure, I wish they would have helped her apply more sunscreen after that swim in the pool, and sure, I wish someone would have made sure she ate more than skittles for lunch one day, but those are small potatoes, really.
She was safe at horse camp. She loved every second of it, including craft time. She brought home the cutest felt horses that she made in the camp room. And, boy I wish I could remember the name of the lovely lady who took the time to sit with me and Chloe on Friday afternoon as we watched Cam's final bare back session. She told me that Camdyn is fearless, and we discussed how much Cam enjoyed making crafts that day. That interaction and feedback made my day.
My kid, had an amazing experience at
Laurel Valley Ranch, and her love for horses continues. She can't wait to go back for a few weeks next summer, and I'm thinking that some time in between now and then, she just might have to have a few private lessons.
