Giddy-Up! BCRA Monthly Newsletter - July 2022
The heat is on!
Even with the triple digits, we are having a blast at Camp! We have been playing musical ponies (musical chairs on horseback), having lemonade "barrel" races, and making pony popsicles. Campers have won cool awards like the famous “Heels Down," "Best Scavenger" (from the barn hunt), "Best On-Foot Jumper", and "Best Barn Hair!" Expect many more ribbons to come for these young equestrians. We have a couple of last-minute openings, so if your summer plans change and your budding equestrian is ready to have more fun at the barn, let us know!
The theme for this month is Heels Down! Look out for extra "heels down" stamps for all the hard work and effort you’ll be putting into this important and essential skill, focusing as we fine tune the lower leg position and hone in on how it affects our ride.
Upcoming July classes and opportunities for Academy students:
Camps
Summer Camp 2022: Unexpectedly free? Check out the last-minute signups: www.bellcanyonequestriancenter.com/2022camps.
Classes
Saturday Classes now running from 5:00 - 5:45 PM
7/9
Tack + Equipment I: 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.
7/23
Polo Wrapping
Learn how to properly wrap polo wraps around the horse’s legs, as well as how to identify poorly wrapped polos.
7/30
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.
Opportunities
7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27
Wednesday Barn Rats
Come watch group lessons and hang out at the barn with friends and trainers from 4:30 - 6:00 PM. 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).
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 this month for conferences. Be on the lookout for texts from her to talk about your young rider and their goals and dreams!
Scheduling Changes
With the heat on, we are moving lessons to later in the evenings on weekdays. Tara and the team will be reaching out to you and coordinating summer lessons, etc., so make sure to share your vacation schedule with us to help us plan! Want extra a la cart lessons? We have some of those available right now, too!
Thank you for supporting the Bell Canyon Riding Academy and Equestrian Center Community! Happy Summer! It’s time to have a lot more fun and enjoy the beautiful Canyon and our horses!
Happy riding,
The BCRA Team