Giddy-Up! BCRA Monthly Newsletter - August 2022
Sizzle and Splash
While we still have a few lazy weeks of Summer left, we are super busy at the barn! We have had the best time at our June and July Camps and are looking forward to our last one: Summer Splash, August 8 - 11.
The theme for this month is Grid Work! Throughout the month, students will learn what grid work is and how it benefits both horse and rider. Small aspects of grid work will be incorporated in lessons at all levels through the month to give a solid working foundation and knowledge of what it is, why we use and practice it, and how to keep on improving through it in different ways.
Upcoming August classes and opportunities for Academy students:
Save-the-Dates
Saturday, August 13th, 6 - 9 PM: Barn Owls
Treat yourself to a little Saturday night out, and drop off your equestrians at the barn for a few hours! Spaces are limited, so sign up soon! Click here for more information: www.bellcanyonequestriancenter.com/barnowls.
Wednesday, August 31st, 4:30 - 5:30 PM: Back to the Barn Meeting
This coincides with Barn Rats - bring your Equestrians down, drop them off for barn fun, and come learn what’s on the Academy agenda for the Fall Semester!
Sunday, October 2nd, 11 AM - 1 PM: Boo at the Barn
Kick off the Spooky Season with our second annual Halloween Horse Parade - more info to come!
Classes
Saturday Classes now running from 5:00 - 5:45 PM
8/13
Intro to Course Design
This class covers how to build and set jumps in the arena from the ground up to prepare for lessons or schooling, as well as height measurements, pole setting, setting cross rails, verticals, and oxars. Students will learn how to ‘set’ jumps for a full course and what it means to be part of a jump crew.
8/20
Tack + Equipment Rerun: Saddle Up
This class covers parts of the saddle, how it’s built to fit the horse, related equipment such as girth types and different kinds of saddle pads, and when/why we use them. Tack cleaning basics and care for the saddle, stirrup, and girth will also be covered.
8/27
First Aid I
Students will learn the basics of first aid for the horse: how to treat and clean a simple or small cut or scrape, how often to clean and apply a salve or bandage, and the various different materials, antibacterial cleansers, creams ,or salves that can be used. They will also learn protocol for injuries, including those unseen, and how to lightly treat inflammation or soreness before additional treatment is used.
Opportunities
8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31
Wednesday Barn Rats
Come watch group lessons and hang out at the barn with friends and trainers from 4:30 - 6:00 PM - join in for extra grooming, tacking, or learning opportunities. Hang in the club house and meet other riders or help with jump crew in the arena at the end of lessons.
Trainers Train No signup needed! Ask Dakota and the team for weekly dates & times
Sapling students are welcome to join this activity; a parent must accompany Sapling students at all times
Come watch our trainers train their own horses in a lesson with other professionals or as a group together and learn what they are currently working on with their own horses.
For classes and activities, sign up sheets will be on the board next to the Hitching Post (our clubhouse room).
Reminder: Proper Barn Attire
Please make sure to have your Equestrians wear their riding attire and bring their own helmets, paddock boots, etc. Ask your instructor if you need help deciding what to get! BCEC helmets will only be offered for new students for the first few lessons.
New Drop Off for Tuition Payments
Please remit payment directly to Tara in the Baymare Room. If the room is closed, there will be a secure drop off slot for payments. Payments are DUE by your child’s first lesson of each month, so in order to make sure there is no disruption in your child’s schedule, please make sure to remit your payment on time! Please include your child’s name on the memo line. If you would like to set up automatic Square payments for tuition, please see Tara. Thank you!
Riding Academy Curriculum
We love to see all of our Equestrians bringing their journals to their lessons and taking their instructor’s written advice! If you still need a journal and lanyard, please make sure you talk with your instructor about the Riding Academy binders and lanyards. Dakota will also continue to reach out to parents for our remaining conferences. Be on the lookout for texts from her to talk about your young rider and their progress!
Fall Scheduling
Hard to believe, but it’s already time to plan for Fall! Tara and the team will be reaching out to you and coordinating the fall semester lessons and classes, so keep your eyes on your inbox or texts.
Thank you for supporting the Bell Canyon Riding Academy and Equestrian Center Community as we round out a busy, fun-filled summer!
Happy riding,
The BCRA Team