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Pony Camp is a fabulous experience enjoyed by many pony/horse-mad children living in Bahrain during the summer break.

I have been privileged to get some first-hand information about camps from two young participants who wanted to share their experiences with Too Hot To Trot readers from a junior and senior riders' perspective.

They both had one thing in common ... they had a simply fantastic time.

For young Florence Finzi, featured in last week's column, it was her first pony camp experience. For the veteran of the pair, Kate Addison, it was a 'tradition' she had followed for the past seven years.

Kate gave me a fabulous insight into her camp 'The Vale of Aylesbury Pony Club Camp' at Milesfield Farm, St. Leonards, close to the Buckinghamshire town of Aylesbury in England.

It boasts masses of surrounding land and fabulous facilities, five dressage arenas, three show jumping arenas and two cross-country courses. There is also an indoor arena for bareback riding and an assortment of pony games.

Kate's mum Yvonne sourced her horse this year. A friend's daughter had 'tired' of riding and wanted to sell the horse on, so Kate was given the opportunity of riding her.

In Kate's words she was an 'absolute superstar'. Previously eventing at Pony Club level, she did everything - amazing on the flat and just brilliant at show jumping and cross-country. Kate says the horse 'loved every minute' of the adventure as well.

The days started at 7am sharp, with everyone meeting to go and feed their horses and to check they all had water. After that everyone was allowed to go for their own breakfast. All meals were provided by a catering van, which Kate says were 'superb'.

After breakfast, the work really began. The campers mucked out their horses, refilled hay nets and water buckets and immaculately groomed the animals. All of this work had to be completed, with riders on their mounts by 10am for the arrival of their instructors for tack inspection.

Then the group got ready for the first activity of the day, each activity lasting around 45 minutes to an hour. In total the group enjoyed approximately four hours riding each day.

At the end of the day it was time to put the horses welfare first once again; washing them and ensuring their comfort. Only then were the campers allowed back to their respective homes - lorries/tents or caravan - and even then it was time for tack cleaning before dinner!

After dinner, it was back to the horses, to feed and check on them.

Once the work was completed it was time for the evening's entertainment, which on one night included a talent night where Kate and friends won the top prize after taking to the floor and strutting their stuff.

At the end of the five-day camp there were competitions for each discipline. Kate came 2nd in show jumping and 3rd in the cross-country and 7th in dressage. There were other prizes at the end of the week as well, such as trophies for best kept tack and cleanest stable.

On the last day - and for her 'piece de resistance' - Kate's group rode to Lady Gaga's song Poker Face, the entire group dressed up to perform a routine.

Kate will only be at senior camp for another year as when she turns 15, all the kids go off to an 'advanced camp'.

For Florence, her camp was an equally amazing experience. The biggest difference for the 10-year-old was that she did not stay at the camp, the ponies did. The kids, being that much younger, all went home.

The Royal Artillery Pony Camp was held at Hurstbourne Priors Equestrian Centre in Hampshire. It was here that Florence took her newly-acquired gift Winter to ride.

Arriving at 8am each day, the kids were immediately responsible for their mounts, feeding, watering, mucking out and immaculate grooming, and, like the seniors, they had to be ready and mounted by 9am for tack inspection.

Again this camp was structured and well organised, there were lessons and activities till lunch, then stable management or a talk about horse-related subjects, more riding and lessons until 4pm, when the horses were put away, fed, and then time was set aside for tack cleaning.

Both Florence and Kate enjoyed a host of activities at their camps, participating in each of the disciplines - dressage, show jumping, cross-country, hacking, general improvement, and, of course, stable management.

Florence also did brilliantly in the end-of-camp competitions, winning her dressage. As I said last week, Florence has been invited to attend senior camp next year.

Booking a place in these type of camps is a bit like securing a family holiday at a popular hotspot - it's best done early to secure a slot, usually by Easter.

Upcoming events

THE Dilmun Riding Stables, will resume pony club activities, five-days-a- week, from September 26. It is very popular and is already nearly full, however, it's worth contacting the stable, if you would like to get onto a waiting list.

There will also be some in-house events between October and Christmas including an in-house show jumping event on Friday October 8, a beginners' show jumping clinic on October 29 and an in-house Christmas rodeo on December 17.

Due to the recent Glanders situation, the Dilmun Stables requests that all riders should NOT have visited any other stable in Bahrain over the past seven days before entry. Call 17693766 for details.

Twin Palms Riding Centre is hosting a Curry and Quiz night on Thursday, September 30. Come along and see what it's all about and meet the instructors. Contact Twin Palms on 39566809.