If you’re mad about horses and love outdoor activities too, this is the pony camp for you!
The perfect blend of equestrian enjoyment and thrilling multi-activities all rolled into one unforgettable holiday experience!
Discover our pony camp in Shropshire for beginners based at Boreatton Park or Windmill Hill where you’ll take part in daily horse riding lessons tailored to your ability level, hands-on stable time and pony care at the nearby equestrian centre. But that’s not all! Between time at the stables, enjoy a variety of exciting PGL multi-activities, from zip-lining and archery to team-building challenges.
By the end of your stay, you’ll have developed confidence around horses, honed your riding skills, and learned the basics of pony care—all while making new friends and creating unforgettable memories!
Whether it’s your first time on horseback or you’re looking for a fresh start, this horse riding holiday for beginners is the ideal starting point. Parents beware! Full pony addiction 100% guaranteed! Want to hear more? Get in touch with us today!
Epic days of horse riding and multi-activity
Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect during a typical day at a PGL residential beginner pony camp:
Kick-start the day with a delicious breakfast, and then it’s straight to the stables for a morning of horsey fun!
Time to refuel and recharge with a tasty lunch and enjoy a moment to relax, chat with new friends about the morning’s pony session – but don’t get too comfy… it’s time for your afternoon activities!
Back to the dining room for a hot tasty dinner. As the evening draws in, enjoy a fun evening activity such as a campfire, talent show or quiz! By now everyone should be well and ready for a great nights’ sleep, ready for more pony action tomorrow!
Kick-start the day with a delicious breakfast, and then it’s straight to the stables for a morning of horsey fun!
Time to refuel and recharge with a tasty lunch and enjoy a moment to relax, chat with new friends about the morning’s pony session – but don’t get too comfy… it’s time for your afternoon activities!
Back to the dining room for a hot tasty dinner. As the evening draws in, enjoy a fun evening activity such as a campfire, talent show or quiz! By now everyone should be well and ready for a great nights’ sleep, ready for more pony action tomorrow!
Activities
During your week-long beginner horse riding camp, you’ll spend half your time at the stables, and half your time enjoying a selection of classic PGL multi-activities, including high-energy challenges like climbing, canoeing, and orienteering. These fun, adventurous activities will help you build confidence and develop new skills, all while giving your kids the chance to make new friends and experience the thrill of the outdoors!
Please note that not all activities are available at all centres; please see the specific centre pages for more information.
Abseiling
The tower is over 10 metres high. The task – to walk backwards off the top, gradually working back towards ground level, suspended only on a rope. It’s all about trust, courage and confidence. It’s also a very dynamic way to learn calculating and controlling risk. Some children deal with heights more easily than others, but the support and encouragement of the rest of the group is important for each individual’s success and will help strengthen peer relationships.
Aeroball / Airball
A cross between trampolining, basketball and volleyball - it’s an exhilarating, high-energy sport. Four players learn the basics required - then spring into action! The aim is to get the ball in the opposing player's net. As well as being lots of fun, your child will develop team tactics and improve communication skills along the way.
All Aboard
All aboard is all about building trust and strengthening peer relationships – at the top of a 6 metre pole! Teams of up to four children scale the pole to reach the small platform at the top. Balancing on the platform becomes more difficult as more team members arrive to share the space. The challenge is to cooperate and support each other. The task is complete when all four team members successfully stand together at the top of the pole. Weight limit: 150kg
Aqua Park
Our inflatable obstacle assault course, situated atop our very own on-centre lake will be sure to challenge your child as they attempt to make their way across without getting wet...who are we kidding, it's all about getting soaked! Available May to October, exclusive to Newby Wiske Hall
Aquafun
Have a splash with inflatable fun in the pool
Archery
Our Archery sessions offer the chance for every child to experience success. Accuracy, control and a steady hand are vital for achieving the best results and many children discover a talent for a new skill. Handling bows and arrows may be a brand new experience for your child and presents a variety of new challenges! We encourage safety awareness from the outset and teach the basic skills on an indoor or outdoor range.
Archery Tag
Let the battle commence! Archery with a twist - you are aiming for each other! In this game of skill and teamwork you are equipped with foam tipped arrows to battle it out in action packed games. You will do some basic skills training before entering the arena to see who comes out victorious! Available March to September
Beach/Coastal Walk
Explore the area and discover the natural environment while our instructors lead activities or games along the beach or coastline close to Bawdsey Manor. There are opportunities to examine coastal features, compare local beach profiles and begin to explore marine ecology. *Exclusive to Bawdsey Manor*
Burn Walk
Explore a nearby burn, waterfall and a dam and learn about the impact of erosion, water filtration and the flora and fauna of the burn environment. On their way along the burn, your child will participate in a number of activities designed to encourage communication, teamwork and leadership. *Exclusive to PGL Dalguise*
Canoeing
Canoeing is exciting, challenging and tonnes of fun! It’s also a great opportunity for your child to learn new skills such as paddling and steering in order to control their craft effectively.
Challenge Course
The PGL Challenge Course is legendary – it’s a well-loved and popular activity that can even get quite competitive sometimes! As your child negotiates the various obstacles that lie ahead, it’s an experience that will promote teamwork, lateral thinking, problem solving and decision-making – as well as being physically challenging too.
Climbing
Your child will need to combine different skills including perseverance, strength, an ability to deal with heights – as well as trust in their belay partner and equipment. Those who have never tried it before will find it an exhilarating experience. Climbing at PGL may take place on indoor walls or outdoor climbing towers; whichever it is, we always use a top-rope belay for safety. Weight limit: 140kg
Crate Climb
The crate challenge is a test of innovative thinking, construction, balance, courage – and above all effective teamwork. Children are divided into two teams that compete against each other to build the tallest tower of crates. With two children standing on top as the tower grows, each team has to come up with ever more innovative ways of getting more crates to the top, as the pair on top become more and more precariously balanced! Weight limit: 150kg
Disc Golf
Your young adventurer will love trying their hand at this exciting, fast-paced sport in the great outdoors! A flying disc sport, players will take it in turns to throw a frisbee disc at a target as they make their way across a 9-holed disc course! The perfect introduction to both frisbee and golf, Disc Golf is the ideal way to incite a little healthy competition!
Dragon Boating
Manoeuvring and racing a dragon boat demands good coordination and communication of a large team - as many as 24 children learn to paddle rhythmically and effectively together in a race across the water. Ultimate success depends on tactics, technique and brute effort - but in the end there are no losers– just a lot of fun, laughter and mutual support along the way.
Fencing
Fencing is a great workout for both body and brain. It’s challenging, exciting and involves good eye-to-hand coordination, fast footwork, lightning reflexes and even quicker decision-making. It’s a sport that offers huge potential for the enthusiast to learn more and progress at club level, but it’s also accessible and great fun for beginners too. Our qualified instructors will teach your child the basic principles and safety procedures before they progress onto outwitting their opponent in this great Olympic sport.
Forest Walk
Our instructors lead a walk into the forest around the centre to discover the natural environment through activities, set tasks and games that will help your child get the most from their experience.
Gel Master
Gel Master is a thrilling and adrenaline-fueled experience that will test your teamwork, and ability to think on your feet. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Start the session by learning how the equipment operates using the interactive targets to refine your aim, then gather your team to devise a winning strategy before heading for the game zone where communication is key as you coordinate your movements, and make split-second decisions to outmanoeuvre your opponents.
Giant Stand Up Paddleboard
The giant stand up paddleboard is a fun and relaxing way for your child to enjoy being on the water. It's a great activity for building confidence on a board through teamwork, balance and coordination. Available May to October.
Giant Swing
The ultimate test of nerve and joint decision-making. Two or three of children are harnessed into the swing, while other members of the group haul them up to 10 metres into the air. After the group in the swing decide together how high they want to go, a pull on the ripcord will send them plummeting earthward. It’s a fast and exhilarating drop, but good communication will get the right balance between fear and fun! Weight limit: 150kg
High Ropes Course
An individual challenge course involving balance, passing obstacles and holding your nerve, because the whole event takes place 12 metres (40 feet) above the ground! The encouragement that comes from other children can make all the difference to their success – so the challenge is ideal for promoting teamwork and the value of mutual support. Weight limit: 150kg
Hike
Your child can discover the natural beauty of the local surroundings around their PGL centre on a hike led by our instructors. We’ll organise activities and set tasks to help your child get the most from the experience.
Jacob’s Ladder
It’s an exercise in teamwork and friendly cooperation. Your child's objective, in teams of three, is to climb to the top of a suspended ladder of logs. The gaps between each log become wider, the higher you go. Pushing up, pulling up, standing on shoulders – it’s all about working together to achieve a joint purpose. The activity promotes friendship, communication, discussion, leadership and decision-making as each team progresses to the top. Weight limit: 150kg
Kayaking
Kayaking is a great way for your child to explore our beautiful lakes and rivers and it remains one of our most popular activities. Our instructors will help your child get started, teach them the basics and then help them to push the boundaries of what they can achieve. There are games and individual challenges to improve teamwork, communication and confidence on the water.
Keelboat Sailing
Learning the basics of sailing a larger dinghy is a rewarding experience, taking your child out of their normal environment and introducing a new set of skills. They’ll learn how (and when and why) to raise and lower the sails, and the importance of the keel that gives the boat its name. Our instructors are RYA qualified and will ensure your child gets some hands-on experience; steering the boat and getting to grips with all the basic techniques required.
Laser Clay
Laser clay offers a competitive, fun and safe form of the skilful sport of clay pigeon shooting. Laser guns fire an infrared beam at the reflective and reusable clays which are shot into the air using a clay launcher – there’s a realistic shotgun ‘bang’ – hits are indicated by the sound of breaking clay and everyone can monitor their success using the digital scoreboard.
Laser Tag
The wide-open landscapes at our adventure centres offer the ultimate backdrop to a team laser tag battle. Working in teams, your child will head off equipped with their own laser gun and vest. They'll develop team tactics, communication skills, and a steady hand as they duel to come out the triumphant team!
Orienteering
Orienteering makes an excellent introduction to practical map-reading and is an exciting way to get to know your surroundings on centre. Your child will work in a small teams or as a pair to locate control points across the grounds of the centre. As it’s essentially a competitive activity, the idea is for your child to find all the controls more quickly than the others. The activity helps them to improve decision-making, map reading and correctly judging distances.
Problem Solving
Problem solving sessions test initiative and ingenuity. Children work in small teams to solve puzzles and complete set tasks - it’s a great way for your child to get to know their new friends really well. By the time they finish they’ll have an appreciation and understanding each individual’s ability (including their own!) when it comes to planning, communicating and making decisions – skills which are all key to achieving the objectives of each task.
Quick Jump
Attached to a harness, step into the air and enjoy the adrenaline rush of free falling until a giant fan sweeps you into flying mode, bringing you gently to land! *Exclusive to Newby Wiske Hall
Raft Building
Down to the water’s edge and your challenge is to design and build a robust and working raft. There’ll be a number of components available, including large plastic barrels, ropes and poles. Our instructors can give as much or as little support as they'd like but it’s a great teamwork exercise and will help your child improve their communication, problem-solving and decision-making. Once rafts are ready to launch, the fun begins on the water!
Rifle Shooting
Shooting our lightweight air rifles tests individual skill and requires high levels of concentration and physical control. Children need to control their breathing, keep a steady hand, concentrate hard and focus on accuracy. Do all this, and there’s a good chance of being rewarded with the success of a good score!
River Raft Challenge
What’s more adventurous than building a raft and testing it on the river? Well that’s what happens on our River Raft Challenge. It’s a great activity that promotes teamwork as children work together to design a successful raft to compete with others. *Exclusive to Ford Castle
Sensory Trail
The sensory trail is a challenge in more ways than one. During the activity your child will negotiate a series of obstacles – blindfolded – with the other members of their group for guidance. It’s a challenge, which raises questions about our abilities and assumptions, and demands mutual trust, self belief, and effective communication to complete the course successfully.
Stand Up Paddleboard
SUP is a fun and relaxing way for kids to enjoy the water, build confidence on a board, and learn a new skill - this activity has quickly become a favourite!
Survivor
Once the ‘wilderness’ scenario is set, your child will need to develop effective teamwork to build their shelter. Basic navigational skills and meteorological skills help them decide the layout of the site. They will have to identify and share out the key responsibilities for getting each task completed, and communicate well to get the most from the project. Work as a team to build a wilderness shelter on centre, and learn how to stay warm and dry using whatever you can find. They'll need to plan their camp taking into account the prevailing weather and then share out the tasks to get the shelter built before time runs out...
Swimming
Have a splash in our heated pool. Enjoy fun and games in and out of the water, under the supervision of a PGL Lifeguard
Trapeze
Each stage of the trapeze counts as a success and requires courage and determination. The challenge starts with a climb to the top of a 6 metre pole. Next, a climb onto the small platform will require balance as your child stands to make that leap for the trapeze! It’s an exhilarating and heart-pounding activity that will give your child a very real sense of personal achievement. Weight limit: 150kg
Treeclimb
Our qualified instructors help your child to recognise and control the risks and then teach the basic skills and techniques needed for them to complete their climb into the treetops! Weight limit: 150kg
Tunnel Trail
On their own or in small groups, your child will explore a series of underground tunnels. The tunnels vary in size and they will have various tasks to carry out during their exploration. Completing the tasks will improve your child's self-confidence, problem-solving skills and teamwork. Please note this activity will only be available between May and September at some centres due to weather.
Vertical Challenge
Vertical challenge offers a chance to use all those skills you would use in any ground-based challenge course – but it all takes place at height! Your child will be harnessed and instructed on how to belay. They make their way up a course of suspended obstacles that include climbing walls, cargo nets, crates and ropes. The Vertical Challenge develops physical skills as well as transferable skills including climbing, communication, cooperation and lots of group support. Weight limit: 150kg
Zip Wire
Once at the top of the zip wire platform, your child is securely attached to the overhead wire before making their flight across the sky! Their route may take them through a forest or even over a lake. It’s a hugely exhilarating experience that requires personal courage and determination – it pushes most children beyond their natural comfort zone. It’s also a chance for the rest of the group to offer support and encouragement. Weight limit: 90-120kg (varies by location)
Ambush
If you love hide and seek, you’ll adore Ambush which takes this popular group game and ramps it up an extra notch! After sundown children will split into small teams, with one team hiding within the centre grounds, leaving a trail for their competitors to follow. Great for developing strategic and team building skills. Ambush is usually run in the dark, and torches are advised. Available September to March
Archery Tag
Let the battle commence! Archery with a twist - you are aiming for each other! In this game of skill and teamwork you are equipped with foam-tipped arrows to battle it out in action packed games. You will do some basic skills training before entering the arena to see who comes out victorious! Available March to September
Balloon Splash
Each team completes a series of challenges or games to earn coins that will allow them to purchase items from a mystery box! Teams will then work closely together to create the best contraption to protect their water balloon from destruction.
Beach Chill Out
The idyllic setting of Osmington’s pebble beach is the ultimate backdrop to a fun evening of socialising, music and beach games. After a busy day of action-packed activities this is the perfect activity to unwind and spend some free time together as a group!
Campfire
The ultimate way to enjoy the great outdoors as a group! Get hands-on constructing your campfire during the day, and it will be lit ready for you to enjoy in the evening. Sing, chat, play games or simply relax around the campfire, our team can cater for all ages in the idyllic settings of our campfires.
Campfire Marshmallows
Everyone's favourite campfire activity…. Marshmallow toasting! Gather around and toast your Marshmallows to perfection whilst enjoying songs, relaxation and games around the campfire
Cluedo
Team PGL need help to solve a great mystery onsite! Children are split into teams and given a map with locations of characters on, and a score card to find out who committed the crime! In their team they'll work to locate the character somewhere onsite and have a task to complete to receive information about the suspect. This game can take place in the evening, so torches are advised.
Creation Station
After a busy day in the great outdoors, our Creation Station session offers the perfect chance to relax and socialise with friends, while creating a keepsake to take home. Choose from a selection of arts and craft activities; from rock painting to creating friendship bracelets. The ideal way to unwind and flex your creativity!
Disc Golf
Your child will love trying their hand at this exciting, fast-paced sport in the great outdoors! A flying disc sport, players will take it in turns to throw a frisbee disc at a target as they make their way across a 9-holed disc course! The perfect introduction to both frisbee and golf, Disc Golf is the ideal way to incite a little healthy competition!
Disco
Time to party! A popular last night choice, children show of their moves to popular hits with “follow-the-leader” sessions, plus lots of unique PGL dances! A fun and sociable evening.
Highland Games
Don your kilts to enjoy a selection of traditional Scottish games such as caber tossing and haggis throwing! Your team will create their very own Clan name before taking part in a series of thrilling challenges, before ultimately crowning the best Clan
Laser Clay
Laser clay offers a competitive, fun and safe form of the skilful sport of clay pigeon shooting. Laser guns fire an infrared beam at the reflective and reusable clays which are shot into the air using a clay launcher – there’s a realistic shotgun ‘bang’ – hits are indicated by the sound of breaking clay and everyone can monitor their success using the digital scoreboard.
Laser Tag
The wide-open landscapes at our adventure centres offer the ultimate backdrop to a team laser tag battle. Working in teams, your child will head off equipped with their own laser gun and vest. They'll develop team tactics, communication skills, and a steady hand as they duel to come out the triumphant team!
Movie Night
Lights, camera, action! Our on-centre cinema experience offers children the opportunity to chill out with friends after a long day of action-packed adventures, and enjoy a film! Perfectly coupled with a trip to the on-site shop to grab a movie snack!
Passport to the World
Hop aboard PGL airlines to take a trip around the world! Here, children are split into teams and given a map with a mixture of country flags located around the site. Each country has a plaque located on the point on the map. The plaques have questions to answer related to that country, which must all be answered correctly before returning to base. It might be dark when this activity takes place, so torches are advised.
PGL Tournament
At PGL Tournament guests will play a series of exciting team games and complete a selection of individual challenges to determine which team is the best! Challenges include: Basketball Shoot, Human Skittle and Ultimate Frisbee
Pool Party
Have a splash in our heated outdoor pool. Enjoy fun poolside games and music with your Groupie, and under the supervision of a PGL Lifeguard
Quiz
In teams, guests are set Q&A-style challenges with lots of interaction and plenty of variety to keep them motivated and to maximise their participation. As well as general knowledge, rounds may include dressing up, dancing and miming.
Silent Disco
Party the night away without the noise of a disco. Every guest has their own set of headphones, where guests can select music from a number of channels to find the tunes they enjoy. Then spend the evening dancing away with friends or trying to guess what song your friends are listening to.
Why book with PGL Kids’ Adventure Camps?
All-inclusive camp adventures
ABTA, BAPA & Ofsted registered
Adventureflex – flexible booking
Low deposits just £65pp
Pay with Childcare Vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare
Multi-Buy & loyal customer discounts
Where to Find our Beginner Pony Camp
Shropshire – Boreatton Park
With 250 acres of countryside, woodland and multiple lakes, our biggest centre is one of our most popular destinations for the adventure of a lifetime.
Explore Boreatton Park
Sussex – Windmill Hill
Welcome to Windmill Hill, an impressive Grade II listed mansion house on the beautiful Sussex Downs… where big adventures, new discoveries and unforgettable experiences can be found around every corner!
Explore Windmill Hill
Looking for something else?
Head back to TRAILBLAZE! Adventures to view our other specialist camps (there’s loads to choose from!). If you are looking for a shorter break then take a look at our range of DISCOVER! Adventure camps, or if you are looking for a full-blown multi-activity adventure then EXPLORE! Adventures are for you.
Beginner Pony Camp FAQs
What are the benefits of horse riding for kids?
Horse riding is more than just a fun activity for kids; it offers a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Here are 5 key advantages:
- Physical coordination and balance: Pony riding requires children to use their whole body, improving core strength, balance, and coordination.
- Builds confidence and self-esteem: Learning to ride and enjoy being around a large animal like a horse can be empowering, boosting a child’s confidence and self-esteem.
- Encourages responsibility and empathy: Caring for a horse teaches children responsibility, empathy, and respect for animals.
- Improves social skills: Interacting with other riders, instructors, and horses helps develop social skills and teamwork.
- Provides stress relief and emotional regulation: Spending time with horses and being outdoors can have a calming effect, helping children manage stress and regulate their emotions.
What will my child be doing day-to-day at Beginner Pony camp?
Our horse riding camps for beginners include 6 x half-days of riding lessons at Grove Farm Riding School (Windmill Hill) or Pencoed Riding School (Boreatton Park), with the opportunity to hack out in the local countryside once more confident. Our BHS & Pony Club approved instructors will also lead you through training in all aspects of pony care – grooming, tacking up and stable management. Please note: Riding sessions will be split by ability, therefore friends travelling together won’t necessarily be grouped together. Your child will also have the opportunity to try out our adventurous PGL multi-activities too, such as Canoeing, High Ropes Course, Zip Wire, and more!
What's included in a Pony Beginner camp?
- Activities
- Food
- Drink
- Accommodation
- Equipment
What makes beginner pony camp different from improver pony camp?
Our pony camp for beginners is perfect for children whose interest in horses is just beginning to grow. If your child has never ridden a horse before, the Pony Beginner camp offers the ideal introduction to the world of equestrianism. For children with immediate riding experience, the Pony Improver camp is a great opportunity to build on existing skills and progress.
Does my child need to bring any horse riding equipment?
We’ll provide all the specialist horse riding equipment you need, but you must bring a pair of shoes or boots with a heel. You can bring your own jockey skullcap, but this must conform to BSI safety standards.
What locations do PGL offer Beginner Pony camps for?
What aged children can attend a Pony Beginner camp?
To create the best horse riding camp experience for kids attending occasionally we will combine adjacent age groups on selected activity sessions. This does not include rooming or pastoral groups.
Who will be observing my child while they're riding?
Our BHS & Pony Club approved instructors will be with your child whenever they’re around the ponies, so you know they’re in safe hands.
Will my child get any training in pony care and riding?
Of course! Our Beginner Pony camp aims to get your child confident around horses, developing basic riding skills such as mounting, steering, trotting, and controlling speed. They’ll also learn essential pony care, including grooming, feeding, mucking out, and tacking up, giving them a well-rounded experience with horses both in and out of the saddle.
What's on in the evening?
We have lots of entertainment planned for the evenings. From quizzes, to games, discos and more! The fun continues after dinner at PGL.
