Summer Horse Camp

Summer Horse Camp

Day Camp 2023 registration begins February 1st at 8:30AM
*Online Registration Only*
Day Camp 2023 registration begins February 1st at 8:30AM
*Online Registration Only*

Garrod Farms has hosted Summer Horse Camp for kids every summer since the late 1960s.  It’s a great way for your child to both learn how to ride as well as how to care for these wonderful animals, as generations have done before.

SUMMER HORSE CAMP FOR CHILDREN

DAY CAMP INCLUDES:

  • One- and two-week sessions throughout the summer for children 8-15 years old
  • Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • A horse for each child to ride, care for and love the entire session
  • A counselor skilled in leadership and horsemanship to supervise and instruct the children
  • Special events such as: lunch rides, games on horseback, horse shows, and drill teams
  • July 4th will be a half-day, finishing at 1pm.

CAMP RATES:

  • 2-week session $1540
  • 1-week session $880

REFUND POLICY

  • Refunds are given up to 10 days prior to the first day of camp, minus a $100.00 cancellation fee.
  • Cancellations made less than 10 days prior to the start of camp WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.

LESSONS PRIOR TO HORSE CAMP:

We recommend 4 riding lessons before the start of camp. This will give your child a head start with equestrian skills. Call the Stables Office to set up your pre-camp lessons: 408-867-9527.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

  1. Horseback riding boots (NOT hiking boots – they MUST be riding boots!) which are always to be worn around the horses.
  2. Long pants for horseback riding.
  3. Tennis shoes and shorts for vaulting.
  4. Daily sack lunch, water bottles, and sunscreen.
  5. ATSM/SEI-approved horseback riding helmet (this can be purchased in the Stables Office, or one can be borrowed for the duration of camp).

CAMP RULES:

Children must follow Garrod Farms rules at all times. Children must use the buddy system when on the property and must check out with the counselor before leaving camp.

CAMP DESCRIPTIONS:

FOR CAMPERS 8 AND 9 YEARS OLD

Campers will learn to:

  1. Lead, tie, saddle, bridle, groom their horses.
  2. Beginning equitation
  3. Common Horse Sense.
  4. Walk and trot, introduction to the lope
  5. Care of the horse-feeding, grooming, saddling, cleaning, and knot-tying
  6. Western tack-its use, care, and cleaning
  7. Trail riding-rules and safety
  8. Vaulting (simple gymnastics on the back of a horse) to improve rhythm and balance in riding

FOR CAMPERS 10 AND 11 YEARS OLD

Campers learn:

  1. Walk and Trot with control and form
  2. Beginning Lope
  3. Equine first aid, diseases, and common treatments
  4. Instruction in horse breeds, breeding, and training
  5. Perfecting posture and position in the arena
  6. Trail riding
  7. Use of obstacle courses and figure work
  8. Vaulting

FOR CAMPERS 12 YEARS AND OVER

Campers learn:

  1. Continued exploration and development of basic skills and knowledge
  2. Lead changes
  3. Collection
  4. Drill teamwork
  5. Individual Stock Seat Pattern work
  6. Continued Equitation Improvement
  7. Do precision riding
  8. Test skills with gymkhana courses and trail courses
  9. Advanced trail riding
  10. Learn to control and rate the speed of a horse
  11. Work with the horses’ special needs
  12. Vaulting

ENGLISH STYLE CAMP FOR RIDERS 10 AND 11 YEARS OLD

Campers learn:

  1. ‘Balance Seat’ equitation and beginning dressage
  2. Basic caveletti work
  3. Technical skills such as mane and tail braiding, leg wrapping, and bandaging
  4. Horse exercise techniques
  5. Riding patterns
  6. Continued exploration of basic horse and equitation skills and knowledge
  7. Vaulting

ENGLISH STYLE RIDING FOR CAMPERS 12 YEARS AND OLDER

Campers learn:

  1. Fine points of Equitation-form and control
  2. Precision transitions, dressage patterns
  3. Suitability of horse to rider
  4. Working with poles on the ground, and raised caveletti
  5. Jump patterns
  6. Vaulting

C.A.T. REGISTRATION

For counselor’s assistant trainee (c.A.T.) Registration please call stables office: (408) 867-9527. This is a leadership position. Each camp has an opening for one C.A.T.

MANDATORY TRAINING JUNE 11th. 9:30-3:00

  • Must be 14 years old or older on the first day of camp.
  • Must have completed a minimum of 3 weeks of summer horse camp.
  • Must have management approval.
  • Must be a competent rider and know how to safely tie, groom, and tack up a horse.
  • Expected to assist Counselor, including but not limited to: tacking up the horses, helping with lessons, being a ‘buddy’ to campers, and cleaning up camp.

C.A.T. RATES:

  • 2 weeks $852
  • 1 week $632

Vaulting Camp

Garrod Farms offers Beginning Vaulting Camp

A camp designed for beginner vaulters who have little to no experience vaulting and or with horses. Vaulting is a great way to combine your love for horses with dance, gymnastics, and music. Campers will learn basic skills on a stationary barrel before practicing on the horse at the standstill, walk, or trot.
Ages: 6-12yrs beginner vaulting (max 10 vaulters)
Friday Show will be at 11.
Time: 8:30-11:30
Price point: $400 per week
Horse vaulting, Acro, Horsemanship, art activities, Ending Show Off
M-F: 8:30-11:30am
Ages: 6-12
Camp Dates:
Vaulting Camp June 12th-16th
Vaulting Camp July 10th-14th
Vaulting Camp August 7th-11th
Monday – Friday 8:30 am  to 11:30am
June 12th-16th – Book Now

Monday – Friday 8:30am to 11:30am

July 10th-14thBook Now

Monday – Friday 8:30am to 11:30am

August 7th-11th – Book Now

YMCA & LOCAL REC DEPARTMENTS

Garrod Farms also offers day camps through the local recreation departments and YMCA’s. Check your summer brochures from these organizations for more information!

Garrod Farms

4.4

Based on 83 reviews

 


“Awesome trail ride. Dylan was a cool young ride chief. He was very informative. All of the staff there is great and extremely nice. I would highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in getting to know horses.”
Don Nguyen

5 months ago


“Had a great trail ride with the family. Booked online, got there early, instructions were clear, guide was very courteous, and all had a great time.”
Tom Leung

a year ago


“The property here is amazing. Over 150 acres of vineyards and stables. The trail ride is amazing as well. The views over the entire valley and as far as San Francisco. Windy trails and areas where we could gallop with the horse make this one of the best hours you can spend in the region. When finished you can go to the tasting room and enjoy the wine. The staff here is very friendly and let you enjoy your time.”
Todd O.

a year ago


“We had so much fun! Our first time horseback riding ever. We took advantage of the early bird special at 8:30 morning. It included an extra half hour for the price of an hour. Our guide was great, she was knowledgeable of the property and horses.”
Raquel Spriggs

2 years ago

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Family ownership & operation since 1893

Garrod Farms was established in 1893 with the purchase of 65 acres from the Mt. Eden Orchard and Vineyard Company.

Around 129+ years and 5 generations later, it continues to be a family agriculture operation today. Alongside the horse operation, we now have 28 acres of vineyards here on the property. We are also proud to say that we were one of the first wineries in the state of California to become Certified Sustainable in our farming practices.

 
“My sister and I had a wonderful time trail riding here. Gorgeous views of the valley and well behaved horses. After our ride we had a glass of wine and some cheese/crackers on the patio. Perfect day!”

– Lynn –

“What a beautiful trail. We loved our trail guide and good ole Smokey the horse. I had Cowboy and he was a hoot. Learned new things about the area. We’ll be going again and the wine tasting was awesome too.”

– Juan –

“We had so much fun! Our first time horseback riding ever. We took advantage of the early bird special at 8:30 morning. It included an extra half hour for the price of an hour. Our guide was great, she was knowledgeable of the property and horses.”

– Raquel –

“We have taken family trail rides as well as lesson programs here and found the people very friendly and helpful. The horses are handled much better here than some other places-the owners and employees care about the safety and well being of riders and animals. Garrod Farms is home to a very well respected equestrian team that competes world wide and has won gold medals. Top notch horse facility and check out the winery too.”

– Bjorn –

“Great place for your child to learn horseback riding. Friendly staff and awesome teachers!”

– Jenifer –

“I’ve been horseback riding for over 30 years. I’ve been to many stables. This one definetly stood out from the others. The guides were very friendly. The horses very clean and very well trained. It was my sons first time and he now wants to ride more frequently from having such a great experience and my other son that’s ridden with me for the past 14 years was really happy we went there and pointed out the same things I did. Thanks for making my family’s day a perfect one. Phoenix was the best horse.”

– Roxanne –