Any tips for first ever Pony Club Camp?

[killercat]

DD (8 1/2) is going to Pony Club Camp next week. Or rather, the pony is camping, and I have to drive her back and forth each day

I have the extensive kit list for both her and the pony, and we are prepared in as far as we can in that way. I have ordered another pale pair of jods, and I hope to get some overalls at an agricultural show we're going to for her to wear while mucking out.

Any tips to help us both through?

The only thing on the list I don't have is wet weather riding gear. Any idea of how essential this is? She has a coat but riding overtrousers are £25 and the 7-9 pair only just fitted but the 10-12 was so enormous I could have fitted another small child in them.

Thank you again.

My darling SIL has deided that as DD will be riding out in the rain lots and lots this winter (!!), as she's going to be less soft on the kids this year as they've got better at riding, then she ought to have overtrousers and she may as well have them now as a very early birthday present.

But tracksuit trousers are now on the list to wear first thing every day to go and muck out. And I shall stock up on cereal bars.

Oh yeah and extra tips for tack and turnout: oil the underneath of ponys hooves, and clean the underneath of your boots with nailbrush / scrubbing brushjust before inspection.....ooh this is bringing back great memories

Oh yes, for turnout - babywipes! Can clean anything and everything (this coming from someone who got the full marks in the turnout at the Gosling Cup - no mean feat!)

She will have a fab time :)

Oh, and gd, (who went to senior camp for the first time last year) says think about a neck strap (old stirrup leather will do) for something to hang on to if she's pushing herself a bit.

DD had a fabulous time yesterday. I ended up doing my stint as a parent helper as I was asked to swap, and I had a brilliant time too, but we were both really exhausted in the evening!! DD fell off three times jumping and wasn't the slightest bit bothered.

A couple of things I have decided I might get her for next time: A garment bag as her jacket got filthy and a hat bag to save it from the floor. But other than those, we were fine and she went today with a carrier bag over her jacket and a carrier bag for her hat, and if they work just as well, I may not bother (!)

Dropped her off this morning and I left without helping her at all, and so I hope shes got on okay with mucking out and tacking up herself. I decided she has to learn and the designated parent helpers this morning should have stepped in if she was struggling.

Pick up at 4.15

Thrilled with the camp venue. Guess I'll give my location away to anyone in the know, but it's the training college being used of the pre-Olympic training, and is truly a fabulous place.

Sounds great. So pleased everything has done well :)

Thank you so much again

Dd won the instructor's award, came fourth overall and had a clear round at jumping today.

She has really improved this week and her confidence is sky high!

I know where to come to with questions now!

Fantastic news killercat! Well done to dd. Gd is off to senior camp next week and I'm chasing around for a cheap whhelbarrow, I really don't want to spend £35 for a week's use!

Could she manage a mucksack?, they are really cheap. She doesn't need to be able to lift it, just hold all four handles and drag it along, not difficult unless over-full. I had one years ago when I was only a tiny thing and I found it easier to get to the top of the muck heap than a barrow.
Obviously no good if they say she has to have a wheelbarrow of course.

Oh I've just seen you said senior camp so she should be able to manage if allowed.