I started riding 10 years ago, Bunti was my first horse. Neither Bunti nor I could canter in a circle so we were well matched!

10 days after getting Bunti a thistle pricked her eye and she had to have it removed but this didn't deter us.
We began lessons at home twice a month for two years, and that's how it all started.

We just loved the tuition! I was so enthusiastic that with a friend in 2002 we set up Horse Camp Ltd. which went from strength to strength. (A hobby gone mad.)
I then realised it was time to move forward providing camps and academies with a varied range of training, making it easily accessible to us all, with no pressure attached but lots of fun.
Tremendous trainers, fabulous facilities, and fantastic fun to go with it!

I still participate in the camps (you can normally hear me when I'm having a lesson, I'm rather vocal to say the least) gaining valuable experience and tuition as I feel you can never stop learning. This has enabled me to compete in all disciplines. I feel that Bunti and I have developed a great bond through the camps and have continued to learn together.

I met my right hand girls Gill and Paula at Horse Camp. Our friendship went from strength to strength and they are as enthusiastic as me. I invited them to join me in running the camps.
So the team developed and as the say "You don't have to be mad to work here but it helps"
We make a great team as I'm sure past and present campers will agree and future campers have yet to find out!

Look forward to meeting you!

I have owned Buster for the last eight years after he was kindly given to me by our livery yard owners. Not having done a lot together, we have progressed over the years from happy hackers to the serious world of eventing!
(Although we do just go for a good day out, a rosette is a bonus!)

My first time at camp was August 2004 when I along with 5 others from the yard ventured to Queen Ethelburga's for our first experience of camp. It was absolutely fantastic and has been a ?must? every year since. Over the past 3 years I have learned so much from the instructors and the tuition they have provided, as well as meeting some interesting characters!

Having completed all the disciplines at Horse Camp we have really progressed. In dressage, (which neither Buster nor I really enjoyed) we couldn't even ride a decent circle, but we are now competing at Novice level, which is a great achievement for us. At the August camp 2007 with Ginny Oakley, I had the opportunity to try a life long ambition of mine, side saddle on my own horse. It was amazing! (I think this could be our retirement hobby!)

Through doing show jumping we met Tracey Newman and Maxine Jagger who both train with fantastic exercises. In 2006, we travelled to Portugal to watch Tracey compete which seemed like a different world!

Cross country training at Somerford has help us gain enormous courage over fences I only ever dreamed of jumping. One training session that springs to mind, was with Laura Fortune, where I managed to attempt a bounce fence into the water. First attempt, I fell off, luckily not into the water! But the second attempt was successful and I was grinning from ear to ear for weeks later!

I have been to a many camps now and they never fail to amaze me, as well as building up the courage I need for eventing.

Can't wait to meet you all at camp!

In June 2002 the Scousers went on tour. My friend Caroline and I were off to Horse Camp for the weekend with our beloved horses. We loaded up with enough clothes and feed and rugs to open a tack shop.

That weekend was the start of an amazing time in my life. I have learnt so much both from trainers and other campers, as well meeting and becoming friends with some wonderful people.

That weekend was the 1st time I met Bobbi 'Mrs Horse camp' People have often asked me how we met, with Bobbi l and are surprised that our strong friendship has just arisen from me coming to Horse camp I've met lots of friends through Horse Camp and would call them friend's not just acquaintances. Again and again people come back to camp and you just catch up from were you left off and we may get together in between camps.

When I First came to camp I couldn't jump, or when I say couldn't... I was absolutely terrified!! Even trotting poles scared me as Chez my horse used to rush and half trip over them! But I'd gone to camp that first time on a mission. I wanted to gain confidence so my dad could come and see me jump in a clear round. That first camp I had opted to do dressage and beginner show jumping. The dressage trainer was amazing! So would have been show jumping trainer if id stayed long enough to find out!! Chez had took one look at the cross poles got giddy and so we left the class.

I went on another two camps that year on my own. Each time my friendship with Bobbi grew stronger. However my confidence for jumping was taking a little longer
The following year I booked for another three camps with plans to crack this jumping, I was terrified but we really wanted to crack this fear. Towards the end of that year Bobbi phoned me and suggested because I was her most experienced 'Camper' would I like to work with her on the camps. From then on I have worked with Bobbi. Working hard and playing harder, With regards to my jumping I went from strength to strength. Taking three steps forwards and two steps back.
By this stage I was able to cope although not confidently to do a course of jumps of no more than two feet. Yes you may think well that's all she wanted to achieve, but by the following year I'd come up with some crazy idea that I wanted to affiliate and do intro events

Last year Bobbi came and supported me at my first intro event, she had to cope with me hyperventilating, talking me round the show jumping section and walking the cross country course and convincing me I'd get round!

This year I have bought a four year old thoroughbred with the help of Bobbi trawling around sellers. The plan is to event her as Chez is getting a little old. Me and my crazy ideas ah!! But I know with the help from Bobbi's Horse Camps it's not so crazy and I will achieve this.

Look forward to meeting you all at camp

Gill x