Pony Farm Blog

Tuesday July 14th


Dear Pony Farm Parents and Family Members,

Let me begin by saying how sorry I am that I have not written sooner! I know that you all want to know how your kids are fearing but I have just had so much FUN with them that I have not had a spare minute to steal away to write to you…Plus, except for two kids, all of the rest are returning campers, so I felt like you would not mind if I was not immediately in touch.

However, let me tell you that this is a MOST TERRIFIC session already. Last night was Bag Skits, one of their favorites. They were the best, most imaginative, most creative, most fun and most entertaining skits of this type that have even happened at Pony Farm. All of us just roared at the characters this session….It was so much fun. I usually write the first blog right after these skits. Last night, they took such care to get ready and then each skit went on for quite a while that we never started our Evening Vespers, Good Night Circle until 9PM…Once I got all the kids in their beds and sleeping tight, I was just plain too tired to write to you. It sure was for a good reason though!

Backing up to the beginning, I am not sure that I have seen a session of kids who were more eager and ready for camp and being together. I just went through the line for lunch and found six girls all holding onto each other’s arms in a long line and just plain loving each other and being together. They are truly a camp director’s dream!!!

From the ‘get go’ all the kids seemed to just meld together. The rooms all are getting along beautifully. They get up when we ask, they go to bed, they do rest hour, their capers and their beds…so easy, so fun and so pleasant. Not one single tear of homesickness. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to have your children at the farm!!!

Yesterday, we sorted out horse matches and riding groups. Many of the kids loved the horse or pony that they were originally assigned, making the riding staff’s job easy. Others quickly switched and the match was better. Assigning horses ahead of time is kind of like ‘arranged marriages’…There is some practicality that is useful in terms of horse matches…things like size, experience, dependability, spirit, etc. that the staff use to determine the original match. However, sheer heart and soul make the match correct in the end. Only by riding the horse and taking care of it does each girl really decide that it is the right ‘horse of her own’ for the session. We have four kids who brought their own horses, all of which are fantastic.

So, after the morning ride yesterday, the staff separated out some of the girls who needed to have a re-ride to find a better match. While the majority of the kids took their swim tests, played name games, and had a riot of a time with the farm animals, jumping all of them over the jumps, several of the girls rode again to try yet another horse switch.
We surely try hard to get it right immediately on that first day so that the girls can get ready for the show on Saturday. By yesterday afternoon, everyone was on the right horse and everyone had passed the swim test, as well as knew each other’s names!

Camp store began and with it, the barn orientation for the main evening Barn Chores. The girls all listened intently and off they went to turn out their horses and do the chores to wrap up the horsey past of the day. Chores went quickly because so many of the kids ‘know the drill’ and all are such good team players. Plus, they know that the quicker they get done, the sooner they get showers!

Following a yummie dinner, the girls were most eager to do the Bag Skits. This is a game where each room collects 6 items and places them in a bag. The girls anticipated this old time favorite and even brought some items just for the game….so cute!!! The items were quickly gathered and the bags were re-distributed to other rooms. The girls then worked on using each item in a skit. These were the skits that were so creative and entertaining. It was a great evening, capped off by the Homestead girls reading a beautiful poem about summertime and fireflies…This was then followed by Goodnight Circle where everyone joins in to say what they were thankful about that happened in their day….You will be happy to know that many of them mentioned that they were grateful that you had sent them to Pony Farm….Wanted you to know that you are appreciated, even if they don’t often tell you!!! This was followed by a favorite song and then off to bed. I think this is just how the day should end with everyone happy, healthy and ready to ‘hit the hay’!

Today dawned beautiful and breezy, not a bug or cloud in the sky. What a relief it is to have nice weather. Several staff members were ready to start touching up the jumps and re-stripping the poles for the upcoming horse show. The plan had been to divide the girls in half and let each group start practicing over the course that they might be jumping on Saturday at the horse show. For the half that were not in their formal lesson and using the jumping rings, we planned to do Vaulting, Bareback, a trail ride and Farm animals (always a hit). To my utter amazement, the kids BEGGED to help with the jumps and courses. We have built a lot of new jumps and bought new things. They wanted to have a hand in preparing for the horse show. After consulting with the staff, we all agreed that when kids offer to work and work hard, it seems stupid to say NO! So, redressing in their oldest clothes for painting. Wow, did they did in with me…We got things scraped, washed, painted and primed for the upcoming show….I do hope you will look around and see their efforts. I love it so when kids really want to help and then do so with such gusto. We will never have had such well painted and pretty jumps!

This afternoon following Rest Hour, they will ride in lessons again if they rode bareback, on the trail or vaulted…or painted of course…The ones that had lessons this morning have the same offerings this afternoon. We will be in ship shape order for the show, as well as teach them balance with bareback, vaulting and a trail. Such fun…It sure is easier to be a Camp Director in the sun!

Tonight is scheduled to be the Fashion Show….This is again an evening activity of fun and frolic. They are broken into teams and given either Decades or Counselors to depict through dress, dance and music. This is another all time camp favorite. Tree House will be doing Vespers tonight.

Tomorrow, we will all practice over the courses while the horses also get trimmed and beautified for the show…We will be doing Camper Portraits tomorrow and Friday. I do think you will love to see these pictures of each girl and her horse…her ‘first love’ as many of them call their horse or pony…and a great first love at that! These are done by our Camp Nurse and are truly terrific. She hardly takes a bad picture.

Speaking of pictures, we will also have a Show Photographer for the horse show. It is my hope that you might speak to her if you wish to have your child’s picture taken especially if she is jumping. That is a hard kind of picture for an ordinary camera to take because it happens so fast…This photographer is a pro. She is a former camper, now all grown up, so it should be fun to welcome her back. Do see her if you wish to have a special picture of the competition side of camp.

So that is the shake down of what is happening now at camp. I promise to email you directly using your given emails as to what time APPROXIMATELY you can expect your kiddo to ride. They have all decided to ride at the show on Saturday so I will let you know about when to come. We will also have the map and description of the local restaurants and diners should you wish to take your daughter out for dinner. That is fine with us as long as your surely give her back to us for one more week!!!! We ask that no parents plan to visit on Sunday so that we can have a peaceful day and really get a great Talent Show put together for Sunday night….

I thank you once again for your terrific children, obviously the result of awesome parenting. Bless your hearts for sharing them with us. It is a real treat. Hope your days are as happy as mine! Stay well.

Best, Boo