Hello, everyone!

Despite the rainy weather in Bad Sassendorf, Germany, we have successfully completed the camp. When we arrived in Germany, it was sunny and warm, but the day before the camp was cold and wet. Nevertheless, the camp participants and instructors refused to let the rain stop them.

It rained all night before the first day of the camp, so we were unable to use the outdoor pen the first part of the day. Based on rider experience, we decided to divide the 26 participants into three groups, the largest group consisting of nine people. One group would ride in the indoor pen, while the other two groups moved between workshops. After lunch, the rain let up, and we were able to use the outdoor pen. Throughout the day, the North Central Texas College team worked on suppling exercises, foot-fall placement, and basic body position and horsemanship techniques. That afternoon, the team worked on collection exercises. The workshops consisted of ground work and the “blindfold exercise.” (This is an exercise designed to teach people how the bridle and bit work on different pressure points.)

The next three days were a struggle with the rain. The sun would come out about the time we would break for lunch and, of course, it would start raining again when it was time to ride. However, the NCTC team did an excellent job of working around the sloppy mud.

On days two and four, the primary focus was specific classes, such as reining, trail, showmanship, horsemanship and western pleasure. Day three consisted of more suppling exercises and horsemanship techniques, along with bits and bitting. The team members also did some round pen work, as we were able to move the round pen into the indoor arena to avoid the mud.

Overall, the camp was a valuable learning experience for both the participants and the instructors. The rain taught us all patience and tested our creativity, but the end result was wonderful. There was huge improvement in all of the participants, and many will be tough competitors at any of the shows they enter.

I am now in Sala, Sweden, for the July 14-17 camp. The North Central Texas College team has completed its stay and flew home July 13. Texas A&M University will conduct the next two camps in Sweden, the one here in Sala, as well as the one in Malmo July 20-24. A&M will also be conducting the camp in Wenden, Germany July 30-August 2. The team consists of Cassidy Kurtz, Teresa Meier, Brittanie Wells and Derrick Caddell.

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Alicia Daugherty
AQHA international intern

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• Austria’s Horsemanship Camp 2009
• Denmark Camp 2009
• Sala, Sweden, Camp 2009