Rider Insider: Summer Memories

Any season is good when it’s spent with horses, but there’s just something about summer. It doesn’t matter if your preferred equestrian activity is on the trails, in the show ring or hanging out at the barn with your friends, those days between Memorial Day and Labor Day offer endless possibilities.

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Were you one of the lucky kids who spent your summer vacation at horse camp? The memory of a special camp horse or an inspirational counselor is part of many lifelong riders’ formative experiences with equines. Those weeks spent at summer camp are also a rare opportunity for kids from the city or suburbs to immerse themselves in the equestrian experience.

Are your summers devoted to competition? Fall may be the setting for the big championships, but for most equestrians, the bulk of the season takes place in the summer. Think back to those blazing hot days and surprise afternoon thunderstorms, punctuated by blue-ribbon victories and valuable learning experiences. There’s nothing quite like the summer show circuit.

Is summer your prime time for trail riding? With daylight hours at their maximum, there’s plenty of time to explore new trails and see wild places that you could never reach by car. Warm nights open up the possibility for horse camping and moonlit rides. You can’t beat that.

Whatever your summer activity of choice, we want to know about your favorite horsey summer memory. Shake off these remaining cold days of winter and warm up with summery thoughts. Click “Submit a Comment” below and share your story. Some of the editors’ favorite responses could be featured in a future issue of Horse Illustrated!

This month, Noble Outfitters is sponsoring the Rider Insider column in Horse Illustrated with a prize of Cool Mesh Gloves for the selected featured response. If you’d like to be considered for a prize, make sure to include your contact info in the email field of the comment form (emails will not be publicly displayed.)

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PKL says:
February 22, 2014 at 5:27 am
That picture sure brings back some great summer memories. I will have to check out the link to the web site "Noble Outfitters".
l says:
February 22, 2014 at 5:32 am
cool
S says:
February 22, 2014 at 6:30 am
My favorite summer memory on horse back would have to be the time that I jumped my first jump at horse camp on a dark bay Thoroughbred stallion named Twilight :) I will never forget that first jump.....a memory to remember for life!
Cheyenne says:
February 22, 2014 at 6:43 am
One of my favorite summer memories is working at a horse camp for girls located up the road from us. Every summer, we take girls on trail rides, teach lessons, and-my favorite- take girls and horses to the pond where they have fun bonding and riding in together. It's so rewarding to see them having such a good time with girl's best friend, the horse.
Cheyenne says:
February 22, 2014 at 7:04 am
One of my favorite summer memories is working at a girl's horse camp located down the road from us. At the camps, we take the girls on trail rides, teach riding lessons, and-my favorite-take girls and horses to the pond where they have fun bonding and riding in together. It's so rewarding to see them having such a good time with girl's best friend, the horse.
Beverly says:
February 22, 2014 at 9:11 am
Getting up at sunrise so I can head out on a trail ride before the heat and bugs are bad. Then rinsing my horse, Stacy, and watching her and her best bud, Noel, eat breakfast.
Marissa says:
February 22, 2014 at 10:07 am
My sister and I took our little brother riding for the first time after finding a couple that offers great trail rides. My brother had never been near a horse or even expressed interest but they put him on a lovely gaited gelding named Lakota and he did great, I was pleasantly surprised. He had an awesome time despite being sore for days and I'm really glad he decided to go with us!
Isabella says:
February 22, 2014 at 10:16 am
In the middle of a summer storm...I am deathly afraid of storms so to help ease the fear my trainer had me ride in the middle of a (not so bad to ride in, but still scary to me) storm. I ended up having tons of fun and the rain was a relief from the heat of the day. I gained a ton of confidence and it's all thanks to my awesome lesson horses and my wonderful trainer.....and occasionally a storm or two :)
Cheryl says:
February 22, 2014 at 2:36 pm
My very favorite summer memory was being lucky enough to take part in a 5 day Parelli horse camp. 1 day of groundwork/arena work, 2 days of cow work (including herding/cutting cattle under a full moon), jump course work, swimming with my best buddy, Cisco (he LOVED it) and the 5 hr trail ride that turned into a 9 hour endurance ride the last day!
l says:
February 22, 2014 at 5:12 pm
cool