Horseback Riding

General Horseback Riding Information

All riding programs are staffed with volunteer adults and older girls who have had Council training in safe handling of horses and riders.The appropriate ratio of troop adults according to Safety-Wise including the troop’s certified first aider must accompany all riders to the riding area and remain in the area while their girls are riding. Riders should be at the Boot and Helmet Room in the barn at Camp Misty Meadows at least 30 minutes before their scheduled ride times. Late arrivals will result in a shortened ride.

Riders must wear long pants and suitable camp attire. Helmets and boots are available. Girls bringing their own helmets must show a SEI certification label; boots must be smooth-soled with at least a 1/2" heel.

Registration deadlines must be met for participants to be placed. The deadline for all riding events is three weeks prior to the event. Troops camping in Camp Misty Meadows have priority placement for riding slots. All riding programs have maximum capacities listed; these limits are strictly followed. Girls have priority over adults for riding slots.

Weekend Camper Riding
Troops/groups camping at Camps Misty Meadows, Agnes Arnold, Silver Springs, or Robinwood who wish to ride during their weekend at camp should send in the “Request for Riding Form” included with their camp date confirmation immediately on receipt. These are 45-minute ride periods, either in an arena or on a trail, depending on the skill level of the riders. Either a Saturday or Sunday (morning) ride time maybe requested. Troop adults may ride with their girls if space permits; no tagalongs may ride.

Who: Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors
Cost: $10 per rider
Event Code: 10-56-09-6235
Maximum: 12 riders per session

Love, Hug, and Groom
This program is offered for all levels to individual girls or troops. Girls receive a barn tour, introduction to horse care, and hands-on grooming opportunity with camp horses during 45-minute periods at Camp Misty Meadows. Sessions are available any Saturday camps are open for regular programming.

Who: All levels
When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturdays only
Cost: $2 per girl
Event Code: 10-56-09-6235

Adults in Equitation

The equitation program needs registered Girl Scout adults to volunteer in two distinct areas of equitation.
Riding Staff: If you care to work with horses, GSSJC needs riding staff to learn and then teach proper safety, horse care, and riding skills to the Girl Scouts taking part in the program. Formal instruction is provided as Saturday day training: one is held in October and another session is in February. There may also be adult training held on different weekends throughout the year as the need arises.
Dorm Staff: The equitation program also welcomes all registered adults who may enjoy a weekend at camp with Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts, yet prefer not to work with horses. Every troop camping weekend during the year, the SPURS girls need two adult unit leaders as dorm staff, one of whom must be a currently certified First Aider.
Contact George Ann Barrett, 713-292-0313 or www.gssjc.org for an information packet.

Horse Rider Badge workshop

Juniors may register to attend this one-day hands-on workshop to work on the requirements for the tan-background Horse Rider Badge. Troops or individuals may register; troops must maintain the proper adult-girl ratio and a certified First Aid person as specified in Safety-Wise; individual girls must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must remain in camp for the workshop. Each attendee must bring a completed and signed permission slip and medical history.
Attendees should bring a sack lunch and beverage, clearly labeled with the attendee’s name. Small personal coolers are okay; large ice chests cannot be accommodated due to space restrictions. Appropriate camp clothing is required, as well as long pants for riding. Helmets and boots are available for use during the training. Girls bringing their own helmets must show SEI certification label; boots must be smooth-soled with at least a 1/2" heel. Check in is between 9:30 - 10 a.m. in the barn classroom.

Who: Juniors
When: April 17
Time: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Place: Camp Misty Meadows
Cost: $14/girl (badge not included), no adult participants
Event Code: 10-56-09-6235
Deadline: 3 weeks before event date
Maximum: 40

Weekend Riding
Even though your troop may not be camping at a Council camp, girls can still go horseback riding. These are 45-minute ride periods, either in an arena or on a trail, depending on the skill level of the riders (determined by the volunteer riding director). Either a Saturday or Sunday (morning) ride time may be requested. Troop adults may ride with their girls if space permits; no tagalongs may ride. Girls have priority placement over adults.

Who: Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors
Fee: $10 per rider
Event Code: 10-56-09-6235
Maximum: 12 riders per session
Register: Use Program Registration Form