HCM Camp '10 NOW BOOKING

[Kathy N]

Fri 30th July-Mon 2nd August at HCM Headquarters: Roslyn Stables,Townfield Lane, Mollington, Chester, CH1 6LB.

The schedule, subject to change, looks a little like this –
• Friday - afternoon arrival, set up camp and settle horses. NLP talk.
• Saturday – HCM demo TBC, drill ride, evening Equine Touch.
• Sunday - introduction to jumping (starting v. Small and going up, retire when you’re ready!), gymkhana games, afternoon talk and demo of harrowing by horse.
• Option to stop over and leave after breakfast on Monday morning.
It will be ‘proper’ camping, tents and caravans welcome. No electric hook ups sorry, toilet and shower facilities in progress.
How about joint hire of a touring caravan? I could look up B&B’s if necessary!

Food included in price, breakfast, lunch and evening BBQ, Takeaway chippy supper, hot/cold camp picnic (depending on weather) meals also inc. on day camp.
Please notify me of special requirements.
Grass pens or stables available for horses. Rug for shade/shelter maybe nec.
Please bring hard feed and hay. (Hay may be available at cost on site)

• Whole weekend Fri-Mon & horse £150 Without horse £140
• Camp Fri- Sun & horse £125 Without horse £90
• 1 Day Camp with horse £45 Without horse £35

Just like last year I hope it will be an, all pitch in and help out casual style weekend where we have fun and learn lots. There will again be various options for the whole weekend, one / two days, evening, just HCM etc... Please call me to make any other arrangements. Booking closes and full payment by 12th July please.

Kathy Nadin 01244 280158 07956 369150
[e-mail]

[Kathy N]

Just modified this post as we have more details and prices and I am now taking bookings, can't wait, but have lots to do in the meantime!

[lisap]

Well, after a very damp start to the camp on the Friday (it P****d down for hours, and poor Christine Worthington had to give her talk to a gently steaming group as we dried out in the barn) the rest of the weekend was kind to us and it stayed dry the whole time apart from a little spitting on Sat am.

However, this didn't spoil our enjoyment of Emma Robinson's and Becky Jones' FANTASTIC demo of in-hand work and longlining. Truly inspiring, even though most of us won't be able to get our horses to rear on command as Becky showed with Simba, who was on fine form and got gasps of admiration as he pranced around on his long lines doing half-pass and pirouettes.

We had a good turnout for this, especially gratifying as not only was it a bit of a last minute change of demo, but right into holiday time too.

Our campers got the rest of the weekend to do their stuff, and on the Saturday afternoon they all gathered in the large grass arena (with not a little degree of trepidation) to perform their drill ride. This was - interesting - at times ;D with Kathy and Lizzy Nicholson's handsome cob, Red, refusing to be parted from his grey stable companion, a bit of a challenge when the drill instructor had to split the ride occasionally!

We also had a couple of young horses, Cara and Rocky on their first party away from home, and although they were a little electric on day one, both settled beautifully by the end of the weekend.

Kathy N's Toby was his usual super- reliable self, and was the safe conveyance for no fewer than 4 different riders (not at the same time), during the hotly contested gymkhana games that were brilliantly organised by Carole Miller. All bets were off in some of the races, with blatant gamesmanship and not a little cheating going on.

Once again, competitiveness took hold of the campers, and after pleading with Carole to only do games that required them to walk - or at the most a gentle trot - it wasn't too far into the proceedings that horses and ponies were hurtling up and down the races in a flat out gallop, with wild eyed, foaming riders egging them on every step of the way. Deeply scary!!!! ;D

Rosettes were plentiful, and special congratulations must go to Alex, who at the tender age of just 16 had got himself down from Cumbria on the train, tent in backpack, and who participated in the games with 3 year old pony Lily running alongside him!

We drillrode, we jumped, we drove (Kathy Nicholson's Red transformed into the most handsome and charismatic beast when put between the shafts - both horse and driver very much look the part in this role), we gymkhana'ed....

If that wasn't enough, on the Saturday evening we had a magnificent barbeque, with Graham Phillips on chef duty. Karen Beaumont then arrived with a fleet of equine Podiatrists in tow, following her weekend course with their founder, KC La Pierre. And guess what, she brought him and his lady friend along too! We seem to be starting to specialise in internationally known Americans in cowboy hats....

This report wouldn't even begin to be complete without mention of Roslyn Stables' makeover. Team Roslyn (Anne, Sharon, Sue, Graham, Snappa and Kathy, not forgetting Sarn and Eleanor) have out done themselves. Following grumbling that the barn is simply no longer big enough for the HCM's, the kitchen area has now been moved next door, and next door to that there is now a fully fitted out bath and shower, with carpet, pine walls and a hairdryer! This last meant that the camp was actually a pretty luxurious experience, with none of us feeling that we had to rough it in the slightest.

I didn't get to take many photos this time, but there were loads taken, and no doubt they'll find their way onto the DG fairly soon.

[Dragonmaster]

Lizzy put all her photos on Facebook...

www.facebook.com/LizzyDotCom#!/photo.php?pid=6640193&id=508859740

Be warned .... 173 pictures!

We had a wonderful 2 days. Red had never been away from home before and found all the other horses a bit overwhelming at first, but after some exciting moments at the beginning of the drill ride he settled down and began to learn he does not have to be joined-at-the-hip to Rosie. Many thanks to Lisap for some tuition in 'in hand' work that I think will make a lot of difference to him.
Driving round the big arena KathyN had made was great fun and I wish I had flat fields at home to do the same. All ours are on steep slopes.
I'm very grateful to Catrin & Grayson as well for providing transport for my horses there and back, and also an extra journey each way to fetch and take back Red's cart.

[Kathy N]

Thanks to Team Roslyn for getting everything ready for camp, our new Team mate Sue for washing all the dishes and thanks to everyone who came along for whatever part, everyone made it a fabulous weekend!