Zee Slew, 1995-2008

Sadly, Zee Slew passed away last week after something spooked him at night and he collided with a fence. He was very special to a lot of Rockbrook riders and we know he will be missed. If you’d like to help celebrate his life, Cara would love to hear of any special stories or memories you have of Zee. Please leave them here in the comments or send them to us in the “contact RBC” link above.

Rockbrook Horseback Riding Video

OK, are you ready for an awesome video of horseback riding from camp last summer? Here it is! Watch closely, and you’ll see plenty of people you know, lots of jumping, views of the upper and lower riding rings, and of course a bunch of the Rockbrook Camp horses. A little Rockbrook summer horse camp fun. Enjoy!

Advanced Riders and Rockbrook Camp

“Can I learn more advanced riding skills at Rockbrook Camp?”

The director of our riding program, Cara, places each camper who wants to ride at camp in a class with girls of similar ability, and assigns each camper an appropriate mount. With outstanding horses from St. Andrews College and Sweet Briar College, and with skilled instructors who work with horses and teach riding year-round, Rockbrook horseback riders are set to learn. It’s so great to ride an excellently schooled horse, and have fresh, appropriate tution for your riding. Advanced riders can learn to post the trot, canter and jump. No matter what your level, the horse riding program at RBC is ready.

Beginning Horseback Riding Camp

“What if I’ve never tried horseback riding?”

Don’t worry! Even the first time rider, the absolute beginner, will be able to experience the excitement of horseback riding at Rockbrook Camp. Cara, our equestrian program director, matches each rider with an appropriate horse, a well-trained horse or pony use to beginning riders. She’ll provide you with the right equipment (for example, boots and a helmet), and teach you the important first things to know about leading and mounting a horse before you try it. Before long, you’ll be riding by yourself, and horseback riding just might become your favorite thing to do.

Equestrian Programs

Here’s a cool image from our equestrian programs at camp, not a photograph exactly, but a colorized sketch made from a photo. There’s a new website called befunky.com where you can upload a picture and turn it into something like this. It’s not available to the public just yet, but we were able to try it out and now love the results. Squint a little, and you can almost feel the movement of the horse!

NC Equestrian — Camp Photos

Here’s a set of photos taken one day last summer during our equestrian program. It was a particularly nice day, so we took quite a lot .

Girls Only Horse Camps

There are all kinds of horse camps for girls out there, so we often get the question, “What kind of horse camp is Rockbrook?” Well, first of all, we’re a girls only horse camp (no surprise there!). Secondly, we ride and teach lessons in the American system of forward riding, mostly hunter jumper and some dressage. This is different from horse camps that ride western. Like other horse camps, girls at Rockbrook can ride every day, are placed in lessons according to their ability and horsemanship experience, and can spend extra time at the barn learning more about the horses and their care. At the same time, girls at Rockbrook don’t spend all of their time riding or being with the horses because there are so many other activities going on at camp. Rockbrook is primarily a traditional overnight summer camp for girls that also has one of the finest riding programs around. You will ride a lot at Rockbrook and learn a lot about how to ride better, but you’ll also have an amazing time doing camp.

Youth Equestrian Camps

Here’s something fun. Over at GirlsHorseClub.com, they are starting a poll for everyone interested in horses, horseback riding and anything equestrian-related. It’s a series of questions that give you a chance to imagine. For example, how would you remake a famous equestrain movie so you could play a part? If you could ask a horse a question and hear the answer, what would you ask and which horse would you choose? If you could travel back in time and meet a famous horse, which one would it be? Hmmm…. Interesting questions to ponder, so head on over and share your thoughts.

Movie? Probably Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken. Of the Rockbrook horses from our youth equestrian camp, we’d have to ask Danny what he thinks about his new digs! Historic Horse? How about Isham, Buffalo Bill Cody’s horse.