Horseback riding at Timberlane is very strong and popular this year.
Headed by Daryl Beadle and a strong crew of horses, riding is one of
Timberlanes best activities. Assisting Beadle are Tom
Morrisson, Jeff Sable and Rick Kagen. They all teach the boys fine
skills in English riding.
This years riding staff is very eager. Many twilight dinner
rides and breakfast trail rides are planned. On a breakfast trail
ride, the staff wakes up the campers early. They then proceed to
bridle and saddle their horses. Finally the long trail ride begins.
The horses move in single file down the trails. Then the lead rider
yells, Prepare to trot, trot your horse. Soon all of the
horses are off to a smooth trot. All of a sudden you find yourself
into canter, riding the wind.
Finally you ride to the breakfast area for eggs, bacon and hot
chocolate. Breakfast rides are certainly fun.
Twilight rides begin after flag lowering. Once again the campers go
on a long and pleasurable trail ride. At the supper area hamburgers,
potato chips and bug juice are served over a hot fire. The counselors
and campers joke and have a good time. Before they realize it, it is
time to head back.
Skills are taught in the ring. One of the main fundamentals strived
for is posting while at a trot. To post, you must grip the saddle
with your knees. An exercise used is to put up the stirrups and the
rider must grip with his knees, or else he may fall off. This
exercise broadens the campers ability.
Campers are also taught how to bridle, halter, brush, and saddle
their horses. The riding staff grooms their campers well in riding.
But the training in the ring is necessary so you can have fun on the
trail, and thats what it is all about.
The riding program at Timberlane is certainly excellent and an
excellent staff makes it possible.