Horseback riding camp

Last week (Aug. 2nd through the 6th) the girls went to horseback riding camp. It's interesting because even though soccer is HUGE here, at this age it seems there are many more boys into soccer and the girls do horseback riding (maybe that's why our Women's National team kicks booty). Anyway, our neighbors were sending their daughter (Adina) to camp for the week and told us about it. The girls loved it.
The camp didn't start until 10:00 but you could drop them off early and they just wandered through the stables helping take care of the horses and playing. There were 10 girls who were separated into groups. Each group was assigned three horses to take care of for the week. They had to clean the horses, feed the horses, etc...however, Gracie told me they did not have to clean up the poop that was everywhere:)
At the end of the week the girls chose whether they wanted to be cowgirls or Indians and dress up for the role. Molly and Gracie were the only ones to pick cowgirls (much easier on me). They did a show for the parents. I was amazed how much they learned. They both did tricks on the horses, pretty cool. They begged to go back this week, but it was a bit too expensive to do another week.

Mental note...horses and kids and rain do not mix well...the first day it rained and they rode in the rain. I had to drive them home with the windows open!!! Whew! This was the first day. Gracie is on the horse, they were playing some sort of duck duck goose. I couldn't figure it out.

Molly with Gelicktric (the baby horse on the left) and his mom. Gelicktric (Gay leck trick) was amazingly friendly with the kids as were all the horses.

At downtime at camp the girls would play horse...yes, that is an actual horse harness.

Gracie helping Jack feed Jimmy. Little fact...Jimmy is the name given to boy white horses in Germany.

Molly, Gracie and Adina.





This is Dorle. The girls loved him. He was a bigger horse that was so friendly and patient with the kids. One little girl fell off the horse during her part of the show and Dorle stopped and waited for her to get back on.

One of Molly's tricks! She spun around Dorle while he circled.

A little faster!

Gracie showin' her skills!

I zoomed in on her face in this picture...you should see the grin!

Jack figured he should be in a picture too!

The group with the counselors. All the counselors were teenagers and GREAT with the kids. Some spoke English to the girls so they felt quite comfortable!