We're having a blast hosting Farm Parties

Thank You so much to Christina and Lorba for letting me snap and share some of these gorgeous photos!

We’re loving seeing the children running through the paddocks together to get to the goats.

Climbing over obstacles, up trees and vying for the goats attention with their seaweed snacks.  And often eating the seaweed snacks themselves.  

And their delight at finding the chicken eggs in the hutch.

It’s so lovely to see their care and attention when handling the baby chicks.  And their enthusiasm and camaraderie tasting the bush tucker.

Their shoulders relax and their smiles grow as they get used to the pony’s movement, and as they start riding with “no hands”, playing the Mug Race and going for a trot.

After a few turns they’re asking to ride over the jumps, and to go even faster…

It’s hilarious seeing some of their poses on the Sulky and Pee Wee motorbike, and seeing them swing the lasso and try cracking the whip.

And the games on foot in the arena are SO MUCH FUN!  The Boot Throw, Egg & Spoon Race, Sack Race and a huge game of tag are awesome to watch.  

And then to see them try to outdo each other on the trampoline is pretty inspiring, sometimes breathtaking :)

We’re getting the hang of the menu, watching what disappears the quickest and making notes of what to serve more of.  

I’m just having a little trouble slowing everyone down to pick the veggies from the garden for our salad, as we race back from the goats.

And now we’re working on making it easier for the Party Organiser with pre-written Invitations, a running sheet for the party, and comfortable seating for the parents Everywhere!  So they can see as much of the action as possible while catching up on everyone’s news.

We’ve also noticed that the Farm Parties are loved most by boys, from the ages of 3 to 8 years.  The girls want more horse riding!

The only thing we haven’t worked out how to include yet is a Birthday Cake and Lolly Bags.  They’re the only things not included.

If you’re interested in booking a Farm Party, where the children are out in the fresh air, on a wild farm experience with their friends, then follow this link.

They’re available every day, from 11 am to 1 pm, with a minimum of 6 children @ $30/child. Parents are welcome free of charge, and brothers and sisters of guests can be included too.

Click Here to Book a Farm Party.  

Or if you have a friend that might be interested, could you pass this on to them?

Welcome to Harry - our New Horse :)

This is my way of gently breaking the news to you that we lost Destiny to colic 10 days ago.  

To help stop the tears, we began searching for a new horse that would - hopefully - bring just as much joy to our lives.

And we found Harry!

And Oh My Goodness - the stars seemed to have all aligned at once!

His previous owner retired him from eventing, just recently, as she felt he wasn’t enjoying the competition world so much anymore.

She put her ad out for a quieter, loving home on Tuesday night, and I found it at 6 am on Wednesday morning.

This is what I read:

“Handsome All Rounder, for Trail Riding, Adult Riding Club and Navigation Rides.

Harry is a 15.2 hh, 17 year old Quarter Horse x Stock Horse gelding.

Retired only recently from low level Adult Riding Club, Equestrian Australia Eventing and Show Jumping.

Harry carries his age well and is a very good doer.  While he’s been used as my competition horse he actually excels in trail riding and this is where he is truly great!

Very reliable and safe on the trail by himself, happily walks out and will pop over a log or canter up a hill when asked.  Harry will go into water and loves a swim.

He is well mannered on the ground, good to catch, shoe, rug and float.”

Dexter and I drove out to meet him on Thursday (it was a wild 12 hour round trip) and we were really, really impressed with him, and his owner.

He lunges beautifully, has already done a lot of Parelli Natural Horsemanship training, is often ridden bitless, and is very cool and relaxed jumping and doing flatwork (dressage).

His wonderful previous owner brought him here on Saturday, and he’s spent the weekend joining in our rides and classes - just being led - so we can gently introduce him to all the fun ahead.  And Yes, he loves the dam :)

Fingers crossed you’ll love him too!

With Best Wishes and Lots of Hugs from Helen, Champ, Cadie, Axl and now Harry xoxox

Holiday Watching - How to Trim A Horse's Hooves

In my quest to make learning to ride as easy and enjoyable as I can for you, I’ve recently come to realise I can only do it when our horses’ hooves are balanced correctly.

After years of taking it for granted, the last few years have been a bit tricky making that happen…

Thank you, Pip, for telling me about the brilliant Farrier Course you did with David Farmilo a few years ago, and sending me his website - www.horsefarrier.com.au!

It’s been an ABSOLUTE WEALTH of information, and the videos are short, quick and full of great usable advice.

I couldn’t wait to share it with you!  

Hopefully you have some time through the holidays to watch his quick videos on www.horsefarrier.com.au.

And if you’re joining us for a ride or a camp at Saddle Camp, I can’t wait to hear your opinion on our horse’s confirmation and movement!  

It’s a great way to develop your eye on how a horse is supposed to move.  Really important if you’d like to buy one, and especially if you’d like to compete.

I’ve always heard No Hoof, No Horse, and I really believe it now :)

Have fun watching, and I hope you have an Absolutely, Fantastic Autumn Holiday!

From Helen, Destiny, Axl, Cadie and Champ xoxox

Working Cows Podcast Interview with Colt Starter/Father Bret Davis on how to start your children on horses.

For all the parents .

I really loved listening to this episode with Colt Starter/Father of 3 on how we gets his children started on horses.

It’s an awesome perspective from a Cowboy’s POV, and it really fitted in with mine too.

Hope you enjoy it, and have a laugh too! From Helen

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/working-cows/id1307361758?i=1000651075469

Ride Horses this Canberra Day Long Weekend!

This weekend coming (9, 10 & 11 March) celebrates the day Canberra was officially named in 1903.

It was originally named Canberry (which means Meeting Place) by a local Ngunnawal clan.

And you can celebrate by meeting your old friends or meeting new friends,

riding horses at Saddle Camp!

There’s just a few places left for our:

Show Day

Gymkhana

River Ride

See all the Details Here

You could even stay for a Sunday Night Camp that would include our Show Day, Gymkhana and (optionally) our River Ride.  

It’s not on the booking system as it’s a little “customisable”, but you can hit reply to this email to ask questions and/or book in.

The Cafe is open for your parents to chill at, or to take a picnic out and relax in a hammock.  

Tell your brother to bring his bike or skateboard for the new Skateboard Park in town :)  

The swimming holes nearby are divine to cool off, and the weather is perfect for being outdoors.  

Check out www.saddlecamp.com.au and www.braidwoodfarmstay.com.au to plan your awesome long weekend!

And call Helen on 0417 456 093 if you have any questions!

Wishing you a Very Happy “Meeting Place” Weekend,

from Helen, Rob, Blake, Dexter & Carson xoxox

Braidwood's Events Calendar Link! From Skateboarding Lessons to the Braidwood Show just this weekend…

Save this link for your parents and brothers - for your next visit for horse riding…

Events Calendar Link

Holy smokes!  Apart from Horse Riding at Saddle Camp, I had no idea there was so much fun events happening in the rest of Braidwood!

Our local Chamber of Commerce has put up an online Events Calendar for all of us local businesses to let everyone know what’s going on.  So we can join in too :)

I couldn’t believe that this weekend has skateboarding lessons on Sunday AND there’s a Car Show joining in with our Braidwood Show on Saturday.

Save this link for when you’re next visiting for horse riding.  

Your parents and brothers will have a brilliant time too, doing something they love.

I’ll save this link on our Braidwood Farm Stay “Play” page too.

Looking forward to seeing you for loads of fun soon!

From Helen, Rob, Blake, Dexter and Carson xoxox

P.S.  Just click the tab for “What’s On in Braidwood and Villages” and it will take you straight down the page to it.  

When you click on any event you like, it comes up with ALL the details.

My new Riding Coach - Stacy Westfall.

So excited to let you know I’ve started coaching with Stacy Westfall, my Idol.

Bridle-less and Bareback Free-Style Champion.  The best example of having a great working relationship with a horse that I’ve ever seen.

Which is exactly what I want with our Saddle Camp horses, so I can more easily make your riding dreams come true too.


We’ll be working on my riding communication, and how I can more easily pass that information on to you while you’re riding.

And what I especially love about working with Stacy, is filming our lessons, and then evaluating after.  

I’ve now got the perfect tripod for my phone in the arena - the arena rail, against the light post :)

So when you’re next here for your riding lesson, we’ll film it, and I’ll send you home with an evaluation form.  

It’s going to make the “feedback” loop quicker, so you can more quickly and easily master your balance, and communication with the horse you’re riding.

Looking forward to seeing all of us progress with our Riding Dreams!

From Helen, Destiny, Axl, Cadie and Champ xoxox


P.S.  Here’s our Booking Link for formal private lessons - https://www.bookitlive.net/privatebooking/saddlecamp/S10bdfb1d22

P.P.S.  We’ll be able to film you riding in ALL of our riding camps in the arena. See our Riding Adventures and Overnight Camps pages for all the options.

Saddle Camp’s Champion’s Challenge is back for 2024!

Every year from 2007 to 2018, we’d invite our Trophy Winners from that year’s Riding Camps to come back to compete in a Riding Challenge for:

HUGE trophies (up to 3rd place),

a Saddle Camp Champion Rider shirt,

and an awesome weekend of Sleeping under the Stars

at our Saddle Camp Sleep Out.

In 2019, the drought brought our Tradition to a screeching halt.

But we’re FINALLY ready to celebrate again!

If you win a trophy at Saddle Camp this year, you’ll be invited to compete in our Champions Challenge on Saturday 21 December.  

It’s a timed Obstacle Course bending through poles, moving Santa’s Sack, riding a Keyhole and jumping a Spread.

There’ll be HUGE Trophies awarded up to 3rd place, and the Winner will be gifted a Saddle Camp Champion Rider ‘24 polo shirt.

And EVERYONE will have the opportunity to book in for our Saddle Camp Sleep Out that night, with loads of action on the Saturday and Sunday - 21 & 22 December.

Our 2024 goal is to have a roof over the arena ready for our Sleep Out.

And over the weekend of 21 & 22 December, we’ll have many other riding and non-riding challenges, games and excitement.  

Wishing you an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC year ahead, and we really can’t wait to see you at the 2024 Champion’s Challenge!

From Helen, Rob, Blake, Dexter, Carson and all our Team xoxox

Braidwood Times Article on our 2016 Champion’s Challenge and Saddle Camp Sleep Out.