Far West Farms Summer Horsemanship Camp

Far West Farms Summer Horsemanship Camp includes group riding lessons, riding, and riding bareback, along with hands-on horsemanship activities such as grooming, bathing horses, learning basic horse care, and learning how to care for a camper’s own horse or pony. Campers take part in daily game time and daily craft time, learn about equine anatomy, tack and equipment, and the differences between riding jumping disciplines, and watch advanced riders and trainers demonstrate various skills. The program also includes horse showing, people jumping, swimming, field trips, and an Adopt-A-Horse Program where each camper adopts a horse for the session to learn what it takes to love and care for her own horse.

• Ages: 8–13 years old
• Schedule: Select weeks in June and July from 8:45 AM to 2:30 PM

Far West Farms Summer Horsemanship Camp includes an interactive, kid-friendly lecture and question and answer session about horses and their care with an in-house vet, as well as horse trainer guest events, guide dog trainer guest events, and live polo pony demonstrations, with a new activity planned for each afternoon. Each camp session is limited to a specific number of campers to ensure that everyone gets to ride and fully participate in activities. New riders are welcome, but they must complete an evaluation lesson prior to attending camp, and kids with no riding experience are required to take a few lessons at Far West Farms to be sure that they are able to safely participate in group riding lessons.

Far West Farms Summer Horsemanship Camp takes place at a family barn with an energized, friendly atmosphere that is home to many young people and is described as a safe, positive environment. Far West Farms is family owned and run by the Karazissis Family—Nick, Kost, and Jenny Karazissis—who specialize in hunter, jumper, and equitation at many levels, and years of teaching, riding, and showing have honed their program. Far West Farms has been family owned and run since 1971 and has been a leader in the sport longer than almost any other establishment, and the camp is directed by Camp Director Janet Harlow.

The stated goal of Far West Farms Summer Horsemanship Camp is to do more than simply offer summer pony rides to kids by offering each student a chance to discover what riding, horsemanship, and horses are about through hands-on activities. The program’s emphasis is on having fun while nurturing a young rider’s love and understanding of horses, and its stated priorities are healthy horses, happy people, educated riders, and kids learning life lessons, with winning considered after those priorities. One young rider describes the level of responsibility expected by saying, “If you have a horse, it’s your responsibility. You don’t stay out late on weekends if you have a lesson in the morning. You’re here everyday to ride.”

Last updated April 5, 2026.