Wednesday, August 10th.

      It’s now only 13 days till I return to Mo, and I have no idea how to explain the summer that I have just encountered aside from saying, that it was an adventure. I know I failed miserably at recounting my adventures through my blog, but it just wasn’t possible. There were days where I was miserable, days where I was exhausted, days where I was indifferent, and days where I was ecstatic, yet through it all it was always clear to me that my passion definitely lies in being a riding instructor. The entire atmosphere at IRC is different than the summer camp life I was previously used to and at times that got the best of me. I missed the traditional cookouts, gatherings and such that went along with being a member of the Cedars staff. The way in which we communicated with the campers was much different than the mannerisms that were expected from the staff of my previous job and it was not something that I was used to, then again the type of children that we encounter here in NY was of a much different nature as well. IRC however offered a whole new variety of encounters. The surrounding land that we often see on trail rides down the roads, and on our days off is breathtaking and the horses here are fantastic. To be able to teach children all summer who for the most part were thrilled to be riding  three hours a day on horses that were more than capable of jumping fences of a respectable size, was wonderful. Although the staff here was of a much different mind than I would have expected I can definitely say that I have come away from this summer with at least one great friend that I am so grateful to have met. Her exuberance for life and her love of musicals and quotes was what initially drew me to her, and as I got to know her, I realized that this was a person I could always see myself being friends with.  Although I am still uncertain of my future, I am considering working with Kim in Florida with some of the IRC horses for the winter and possibly even returning for a second summer at IRC. The things that I learned at Cedars have been invaluable to me, and I will always love the place that was my home for so long, but I am grateful that I was able to experience another side of the equine summer camp world. I have seen two very different methods of management and I have learned a lot from both styles. I have learned the importance of having proper rules, the need for freedom, the importance of respect, and so much more. I am not ready to return to WWU for my final semester, yet at the same time I can’t wait to return and get it over with. I am ready to graduate and step out into the world, and start another  adventure. This summer has taught me to look before I leap, but also that not all things that appear to be rough on the surface, are unwelcoming on the inside. My time spent in NY this summer has been full of invaluable lessons that I hope I can pass on as well as put into practice as I move forward into my final semester of college, and into whatever adventures await me beyond the world of academia. When I started looking into working elsewhere for the summer the quote that stuck out to me was, “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”, This quote could not have been more correct. Thankful for a simple summer full of many new lessons. 

Sunday July 3rd

Well it's been awhile since I have had time to post, but things have been a little busy here. Camp life at IRC has continued to be an adventure. I love the teaching I have gotten to do here, and have had a ton of fun out in the arena with my riders. The weather has been decent for the most part, but we have had a few days of torrential downpour in which we do pretty much nothing. Can't believe that it is already July! I was looking at pictures of the parade at Cedars, and I am sad to be missing such a stressful yet entertaining day. It will be really weird this year, missing out on the fun festivities of one of my favorite holidays as the 4th of July is not hugely celebrated here, and there are no fireworks :( It will be the first year ever to miss out on it. Trying to stay busy and focus on work though. Several staff members have quit in the last few days leaving us pretty short staffed so things have been pretty interesting the past few days. Although not an ideal situation I am glad that it allows for me to teach more often throughout the day since that is what I really enjoy. Definitely not ready to head back to MO in two months to finish school, I just want to be finished already!!! Not a whole lot more to say....Campers were shipped off to the movies since it is too rainy to do anything here, so all is quiet and peaceful. Guess I should work on some online homework, and be productive. 

Some people wear their smile like a disguise. Those people who smile a lot, watch their eyes....

Friday June 17th

It's been a busy week, and the kids get here on Sunday! Living with two russian campers for the first week, should be lot's of fun! All of the ponies are happy and ready to go for the summer, and the staff is....well... getting there.  Went out with everyone last night for one big final night out, and caused some trouble with Kim.  Ready to make this an amazing summer, may even return for another summer next year....who knows :)

Tuesday June 14th

This weather is soo depressing! Everyone was a bit down today, but we all survived. Went to Middletown with Kim today to pick up the stall signs which with our luck were of course not finished, so we ended up wandering around for about 45 min. On the up side, I finally got my starbucks :) This evening we stayed back at the barn to make up for the time we missed, and we did an awesome job of drilling the new white board into the wall...even if we did leave out a few pieces. Hoping to run to town tonight to do some laundry where there is actually a dryer but the boss lost the car key, and is not very interested in finding it at the moment...so I may just have to hold out for another day or so. Seeing all of the pictures of the kids arriving at Cedars and hoping they are all having a wonderful time! Hung out in the office with Kim the other night and was remembering all of our wild "planning" nights in the office with the cedars wranglers, hopefully the remaining wranglers are still causing trouble, and catering to Tom Cat's every wish. lol Can't wait to make this an awesome summer no matter what is thrown into the mix.

"Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it."

Sunday June 12th

Not a lot to say about today, but since I promised some people that I would do my best to write each day, I will try to come up with something. I worked one of the polo ponies this morning and ponied another. That was a lot of fun, and it was nice to just get out on my own and just move out. I rode Charlie again this afternoon in a new bridle, and he was not a happy camper, but I still love him. Hoping he does better in his new bridle tomorrow. Planning another trip back to Cheeseburger Paradise and had an entertaining time today swapping stories with Kim about life in general. This thursday is going to be even better than last thursday :) So proud of all my friends at Cedars, sounds like you all had a great CHA clinic, and sad that I wasn't able to see Kristy and Kathy Metcalf again, but i'm sure they were a blast to work with as usual. Trying to get my online hw done, but not getting much accomplished....sigh.... Missing Kit and hoping that he is being a good pony at Cedars and that he finds a friend for the summer. ...
Off to shower and then do some paperwork stuff.

Saturday June 11th

Well it's been a few days...ok almost 5 days. In my defense it's hard to get on my computer since I need an outlet to use it since my battery is dead and the only place we get wireless in under a tent. That being said, I have NO idea how I am going to get my online class completed, and I really can't afford not to pass the class. Backing up to the days I have missed, tuesday and wednesday were sort of a blur and I don't honestly remember all that happened, probably barn chores, and working more horses. Thursday evening we went into Middletown to celebrate Kim's bday at Cheeseburger Paradise. A sort of Jimmy Buffet bar/restaurant. They had a live band and we were a very loud and energetic group. The night was a lot of fun, and it was nice to get out and forget about everything for awhile. Friday was out day off and we went into Middletown again and I watched all of the girls from abroad shop and get so excited by our malls. It was a long day, but it was fun to see them get excited over the things that we take for granted each day. Friday evening we went into Ellenville for Kim's actual bday and ate at her friends organic restaurant. Amazingly I found something that actually sounded good and I really enjoyed it, although I was extremely exhausted  by that point. Today was cold and rainy, and sort of depressing. The Best part of the day was riding Charlie. He was like a totally different horse today. I really enjoy working with him and would love to bring him home with me.  Freezing to death sitting under the tent to get wifi, and trying to figure out how to get my online classwork done since I have about 12 papers I need to write. Hoping that tomorrow is a better day. "I think we all wish we could erase some dark times in our lives. But all of life's experiences, bad and good, make you who you are. Erasing any of life's experiences would be a great mistake."

Monday June 6th

Almost 100 degrees today, and it's supposed to be hotter tomorrow! My horse threw a shoe so I spent the am riding period cleaning tack in the shady tack room. This afternoon while the girls did some weeding Kim had me come down to the barn with her and help her while she tested out the two new additions. We named them Charlie "He looks a lot like charlie at camp" and Tobleron, "like the candy bar". He is super cute. Charlie however, is off the racetrack, terrified of being bridled, and terrified of sponges. When we went to sponge him off he proceeded to run circles around us and try to rear. I am going to tie some up in his stall so he can get better acquainted with them :)  We had some time to lay out today after lunch at the pool, and again this evening :) My package from home came as well. Today was definitely a good day!!

Sunday June 5th

Not a very exciting day. I rode Cat again this morning, and Kim let me ride her in her dressage saddle, which is super comfy. Cat was tons of fun as always and when we were cantering over ground poles she would jump the first pole every time. When I say jump, I mean she jumped as if it were a two foot fence, it was hilarious, especially since I was in a dressage saddle :) Later in the day I rode Bosco again and he is soo out of shape and had been ridden already in the morning lesson, he was soo exhausting! After riding I gave Kim, the head director, a lesson on the horse she has been working named Tomatae. They are a fun pair and I was able to find some good things for them to work on to help improve on some issues that they are having. Over all it was a very easy day, and of course we got done early, so I am sitting here so bored! I'm in NY yet we are still in the middle of nowhere! Is my life always destined to be this way!? lol

Saturday June 4th

 Today the camp director Arno sent the head riding director Kim, and I to 1^st aid, CPR, and AED training. So we sat all day doing that. A boring activity, but we were rather obnoxious and entertaining so we survived and we both passed! Afterwards we saw a farmers market on the way home and decided to stop and shop around for a bit before our hour trip home to Ellenville. When we got back into town we picked up some donuts for the other girls and headed home. Although this sounds boring it was a ridiculously entertaining trip. Kim and I discovered that we share a love for musicals, Rent, Wicked, and Glee in particular and spent the whole ride home belting out the words to all of the songs. It was a great day J

Friday June 3rd

Today was a much better day! This morning I got to ride a gorgeous jumper who has had the past two months off. He was definitely out of shape, but we had a lovely ride. After that I spent time lunging the two smallest ponies, Porkchop and Twist so that they could get some exercise since they are too small for us to ride all the time. After some more barn beautifying we had an amazing lunch. The first meal here I really enjoyed…. grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. Yes I know I’m crazy. This afternoon I got to ride Cat again, she is quickly becoming my favorite horse. Her paces are beautiful and she has lovely transitions. This evening after work we postponed dinner and went on a hike in the Catskills Mountains. It was sooo beautiful. When we got to the top it was like you were overlooking the entire countryside. It was so perfect. After the first viewing point we hiked through some ice caves, climbed an icy hill, and a ton of rocky paths to another gorgeous viewpoint. The entire trip was done at a very rapid speed walk since the park closed soon and we only had about an hour total. The man told us we would never make it, clearly he has never met such a determined group of cultural horsewomen J Today was a lot of fun and I think we all are starting to feel a lot better about the whole program, and we are all making fast friends, even if we do all use different words for the same things. Like hiking being called tramping. Tomorrow the riding director Kim and I are being sent to an “Emergency Responder” session, ALL DAY! Neither of us are thrilled so we plan to make the day as entertaining as possible by acting crazy. Off to shower and hang out for the night, we are all soo exhausted from the hike, can’t wait for bed! 

Thursday June 2nd

Today was my first true day here and it was…. Interesting. We started off the day feeding the few ponies that have already returned for the summer, and when I say ponies, I do mean that the majority are ponies. Not Fiona size ponies but tiny glorified miniature horse size. It is rather entertaining. We got to work some horses in a mock lesson this morning and I rode a little black mare named Cat. They have the weirdest names here! We didn’t do too much since the horses are still out of shape and are being worked twice a day at the moment. We worked on some inside and outside bend at the walk and trot as well as some forward and downward transitions. They told me to ride the mare in spurs and within a few minutes it was clear that she did NOT need them, then I found out that she has been off the past two years to injury, no wonder. Lol Other than that she was a lot of fun, she had a beautiful sitting trot, perfect for my back, and she was really responsive to downward transitions. Her main issue, she doesn’t bend her hocks and has very little impulsion from the hindquarters, it was like a less green Fiona J The rest of the morning was spent bedding all of the stalls in the anticipation of other horses returning which was super easy and then lunch and a quick trip into “town” (smaller than Fulton) for some snacks and bottles of water. The afternoon brought a lesson taught by me, helping out the farrier, and cleaning a ton of tack!! All in All a VERY easy day. We then had from 5pm on to do whatever we wanted to…at camp of course since there is no real town nearby and when I say camp I mean our dorm or the tent we eat under…. that is camp. Of course there is a pool but after the 96 degree temps yesterday, it is freezing today…typical crazy weather. I am determined to make this an amazing summer no matter what, off to talk to my roommates and…well that’s about it.

Wednesday June 1st

     Flew into Newark NJ today and got to see Keriann and her friend Brian, it was so good to see a familiar face before I set off on my new adventure. After leaving the airport we picked up three girls, and a guy who works maintenance and stuff. The girls were from England, New Zealand, and Australia. There are several other girls here from Jersey, and the UK as well. The other girls are all very nice and we spent the two-hour trip from Jersey chatting about the camp and the different words we all use for everyday things. Like flip-flops being called jandals, and saddle pads being called numnus(sp). It was great meeting them all. Then we arrived at IRC, and we were all a little surprised at the size and the upkeep of the place, not exactly what any of us were expecting but we have decided to make the best of it. The girl in charge of the riding program Kim, is really nice and I def enjoy working with her. We had a brief meeting about camp and our schedule for the next day as we finished up dinner under the big white tent. Yes, we eat every meal under a tent. After finally getting unpacked we all crashed early for the night since most of the girls were really jet-lagged. To say the least, it was an interesting day. 

Summer 2011 Plans

This summer I will be a riding instructor at the International Riding camp in NY.


"International Riding Camp is located at White Fence Farm in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, 90 miles northwest of New York City. Campers are provided with a unique opportunity to improve their equestrian skills in a setting of exceptional natural beauty. Trails lead through the Shawangunk Mountains, where the views of pristine, cobalt-blue lakes contrast with soaring limestone cliffs. Cool mountain breezes make the riding arenas ideal for summer riding"


I have the opportunity to possibly go on one or two adventured with my students around NY. One in Central Park and one on the beach In the Hamptons.


The owner of the camp seems to be a very lively and talented man. 


"the riding camp has been under the ownership and direction of Arno Mares since 1978. While the camp keeps him busy during the summer, the winter months find him playing polo in Florida and Argentina. In Argentina, he started theEl Venado Polo School in 1988 with Federico Cendoya, a professional polo player, on his 4000 acre ranch. Several of our campers have attended week long sessions here, experiencing the ranch life of the Argentine gaucho and learning how to play polo. Imagine riding across miles of open fields, filled with cattle with no fences in sight! Arno is a member of the Certified Horsemanship Association, the United States Equestrian Federation, the Blue Sky Polo Club, the United States Polo Association, the Polo Training Foundation and the American Camping Association. "


June 1st I will be landing in the Newark New Jersey airport and making my way to IRC! I cannot wait to see what adventures are waiting for me this summer. 


To read more about IRC check out their web site: http://www.horseridingcamp.com/