Dates: July 14, 2025-July 17, 2025
The Area 1 Young Rider Camp is held annually mid-July at GMHA in South Woodstock, Vermont. This is a three-day, three-night camp where attendees participate in two (2) mounted lessons a day and one (1) unmounted horsemanship session. Mounted lessons consist of dressage/flatwork lessons, show jumping, gymnastics, and cross country. Unmounted horsemanship sessions may include grooming, braiding, competition preparation, and equine nutrition. Housing is provided off-site for all campers.
Applications will be available in May
Scholarship applications are available here.
As part of our mission, Area 1 Young Riders is committed to helping make educational opportunities accessible for all members of the program. Six (6) scholarships in the amount of $250 each are available to current members of the USEA Area 1 Young Rider program who have financial need and demonstrate commitment to giving back to their eventing community through volunteer work. Scholarship applications open May 1st, 2025, and close May 21st, 2025. Please wait to fill out your application to GMHA Young Rider Camp until after you have heard back about your scholarship application. If you receive a scholarship, you will receive a code to apply to your camp application, which will reduce the price of camp on the application. Whether you receive a code or not (we expect the process to be competitive) your spot will be held for applying to camp until the Camp application closing date of May 30th.
Applicant Qualifications & Camp Requirements:
- Applicants must be a current member of BOTH the USEA Area 1 Young Rider Program and the USEA. If you are not a member of the Area 1 Young Rider Program, you may join by logging in to your USEA online member dashboard, then scroll to Membership.
- Applicants must have successfully completed all three phases of at least ONE affiliated Starter Level or higher Horse Trial. Applicants not having completed an affiliated USEA Horse Trials may be eligible and considered if trainer has recommended it.
- Applicants will be considered based on: Horsemanship skills, motivation, goals, maturity, positive attitude, and work ethic.
- Horse or pony must be fit and capable of a 1 1/2 hour lesson per day for 3 days at the applicable recognized level.
- Only one horse per camper.
- Horses must be recently and properly shod and fully immunized, including rabies and current coggins.
- Campers may use their own transportation with a valid driver’s license and proof of valid and current vehicle insurance if they are over 18. All campers under 18 must ride the bus. Campers who are 18 may transport other campers who are 18.
- All applicants must attach a letter of recommendation from someone familiar with their riding and horsemanship skills.
- GMHA has three (3) available scholarships that can be pursued. You can find out more information, including how to apply, here.
- Area 1 Young Riders has six (6) available scholarships specifically for this camp for those who demonstrate financial need, work ethic, and dedication to volunteering.
IMPORTANT! – Complete the application with all the uploaded documents and payment no later than May 30, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications without payment will not be accepted. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis until the camp is full. Camp registration will close when full, and a waitlist will be taken.
Camp Instructors: Stephie Baer, John Bourgoin, Suzi Gornall, Bevin Duagan, Jan Byyny. Horse Management: Lauren Mair
Questions? Call or email camp coordinator, Chelsea Sprague (chelseasprague32@gmail.com) or (802) 279-8961.
IMPORTANT DATES:
May 1 – Scholarship Applications Open
May 21 – Scholarship Applications Close
May 30 – Camp Applications Close
July 14 – Camper Arrival
July 17 – Camper Departure
Location: GMHA
5491 South Rd, South Woodstock, VT 05071
Contact:
Chelsea Sprague – (802) 279-8961
chelseasprague32@gmail.com
