If horses are your passion, you’ll be able to enjoy a comprehensive horseback riding program designed for girls of all ages and skill levels at Cabell Stable, our equestrian facility built in 2001. Our goals at Cabell Stable at Camp Mont Shenandoah are to improve riding skills, teach proper horse care and barn maintenance, learn to appreciate and value horses, and lastly (but certainly not least!) to have fun. From the moment they set foot in Cabell Stable, campers are taught to respect each horse and how to properly handle them on the ground and in the saddle.
Our lessons are based on hunt seat equitation that focuses on the rider’s form. We limit our horseback riding classes to no more than five girls in the ring at a time, ensuring adequate instruction for each camper. Safety is of primary importance at Cabell Stable. When mounted, all girls must wear an approved (ATSM-SEI) protective helmet, long pants (or breeches) and boots with a heel. (We have helmets for campers to borrow if they do not have their own).
During the six weeks, we offer two equestrian events for girls to show off their new skills to friends and family. Parents’ Weekend there is a gymkhana (games on horseback) and drill for the more advanced riders to demonstrate their talent and expertise. The final week of the six weeks, we have a judged horse show in which all riders compete, from those in walk classes to our championship class for campers who can walk, trot, canter and jump.
Boots & Saddles, an equestrian club at CMS, is comprised of girls that love horses. Members are chosen based on their dedication to riding and horses as well as their willingness to assist the barn staff with daily chores. Each summer, Boots & Saddles takes a trip to an equestrian related activity, often at the Virginia Horse Center in nearby Lexington.
Unlike many camps that offer horseback riding, campers at Mont Shenandoah can select how often they want to ride. Plus, during free time, a camper can spend as much time as she likes with her favorite horse during her stay.