SUMMER CAMP 2010

FOR

NORTH ANTRIM RIDING CLUB

@

DRUMSAMNEY EQUESTRIAN, TOBERMORE

(by kind permission of proprietors John & Violet Johnson)

 

For 4 days and 3 nights members of the North Antrim Riding Club took to Drumsamney Equestrian, Tobermore to avail of the magnificent facilities provided by proprietors John & Violet Johnson.

This is the 2nd year the Club took on this mammoth, though rewarding task for its members and with the previous year's Camp having been such a success it was with much trepidation that Camp 2010 began.

Campers arrived on the Thursday morning armed with every accessory imaginable for the work ahead.  After stables and paddocks were allocated, all necessary formalities carried out, it was in the saddle for the first of the two daily rides.

It was with much delight that Campers from the previous year noted the return of Instructors Carol Henry, Louise Clarke, Shirley Smyth & Chris Traynor, all of whom promised not to be too sore on their riders (who said they had to be honest).  The four rides were organised on a rotating basis for the use of the facilities, giving each group the opportunity to train on the flat, over the cross country, in the show jumping or practising their dressage.

Each day started with horses being fed at 7.30am and breakfast for 8am from the mobile catering unit owned by Elizabeth McMillan whom the Club is very grateful to for the use of her catering van.  Caterers Lynne Stewart, Colette Traynor, Leesa Wilson, Tanya Heaney and Paula McErlain all pulled together and provided excellent meals throughout each day.  Special thanks to all of them for without the balanced meals the rides would have proved too much.  A BIG thank you also to Morelli's for sponsoring the Ice Cream that helped maintain the high energy levels required for Camp.  Paula and Tanya very kindly supplied each ride with refreshments during the morning and afternoon rides, thank you!  First ride of the day began in the saddle for 10am.

The first evening's entertainment was again very kindly provided by Anne Bowen proprietor of Ardclinis Outdoor Adventure, Cushendall (www.ardclinis.com).  Anne and her staff erected the portable Climbing Wall along with Archery.  This year again there was much fun had with both activities and all Campers their friends and families send a special word of thanks to Anne and her Staff.  Next year's activities are being kept under tight wraps as an extra surprise.

Whilst the daily rides were taking place there was much to be done throughout the facilities to prepare for the final day's Camp competitions and the Go As You Please which was open to the public from 2pm on the Sunday.  It was here that Vincent Traynor came into his own and along with Tommy Heaney and Terry McErlain, together they erected many new fences and provided a great cross country ride for the grand finale. 

Camp progressed through each day and evening with the traditional outings to the local swimming pool and cinema then Saturday evening was the Bar-B-Que and water fight (with some members even donning combats trying to blend with the surroundings).  The Bar-B-Que had the high standards members have become accustomed to from the many Club Bar-B-Ques previously held.  John & Violet Johnson along with Instructors and the whole Camp joined in the fun and good spirits and it would be fair to say everyone had an amazing night's 'craic'.

The final day of Camp had a real BUZZ!  Traditionally the first dicipline rode is the Dressage and under the watchful eye of Judge Louise Clarke each test was scored and commented on for the rider to digest at a later date, Louise was accompanied by scribe Colette Traynor.  Riders then proceeded to the Show jumps and finally the Grand Finale, the Cross Country.  During the Cross Country Gary Jackson of Image and Print Photography was never too far away taking those irreplaceable action shots, and yes for some they might not be the most dignified pictures of parting company from your mount at that ever crucial moment when it was anticipated that you would go over the fence and not either around it or through it, but these pictures are there and available to buy from www.imageandprint.com. 

Finally after all Campers had rode their Grand Finale, their equine friends washed, fed and boxed it was time for presentations of Camp memorabilia.  Club Chairperson Colette Traynor took to the floor and congratulated everyone present, whether it be for being kind, tidying up, participating with a smile or generally for adding to the Camp's euphoria.  The whole Camp thanked Drumsamney proprietors John & Violet Johnson for once again welcoming the Club, providing such magnificent facilities and for presenting the new Drumsamney Cross Country Perpetual Cup which was awarded to joint winners Karlie Anderson and Katie Bowen for their Cross Country riding which was judged by John & Violet Johnson. 

Thanks were voiced enthusiastically for the Instructors, it was evident each Instructor had spent much time structuring their rides to be enjoyable as well as educational with achievable goals.  Images were taken throughout Camp by Jan Dillinburger-Keenan, thank you Jan for your hard work, it adds to each member's enjoyment giving memories of Camp when they're able to view the pictures.  The ethos of North Antrim Riding Club has well and truly been upheld and it is with much pride that we all together had yet another successful Summer Camp.