Pony Camps at Dunbyrne Equestrian

We run regular children Pony Camps throughout the Summer and during school holidays. Pony camps at Dunbyrne are a great opportunity for kids and teenagers to learn and familiarize themselves with ponies and horses through fun and hands on experience under full-time supervision. Pony camps run from Tuesdays to Fridays 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Eligibility:

Children attending pony camps must be aged 6-17 years of age.

Parents / guardians must be able to drop off and collect campers on time. Our drop off time is strictly 9.30am (No one can be onsite earlier) and collection 4.30pm (no one can be onsite later).

Children must have ridden with us before or have attended a try it or assessment session in advance of booking camp (see below for details). After the assessment / try it session we will advise on details of suitable camps. Please note not all camps are suitable for beginners, BHS Pony Stars camps are not suited to beginners.

*please note we do not offer hippotherapy or therapeautic riding or private lessons.

*please note we do not run camps for adults

Topics Covered

• Horse riding (riding on the flat and over poles and fences with all exercises suited to the riders level)

• Learning how to care for horses and ponies (stable management)

• Arts and crafts

• Games and activities

• End of camp riding display on the Friday which parents and guardians are welcome to attend

Bringing your own pony

Campers are welcome to bring their own pony to camp (if we have space) provided the pony is suitable for riding in pony camp. If we have not met your pony before, we will ask you to come for an assessment session in the riding school to assess suitability.

Stabling for your own pony costs an additional €70 Tuesday to Friday with haylage, hard feed, bedding and mucking out included.

Camps 2026-

We will be running camps at Easter and throughout July and August as well as during the Halloween school break. Out of loyalty to our existing clients, they always have first refusal on spaces on any of our pony camps.

2026 Camps

• Standard Pony Camps are suitable for all levels. These include two riding sessions per day (weather permitting), stable management sessions, arts and crafts, games and a riding display on the Friday.

• BHS Pony Stars Pony Camps. These are suitable for off lead riders and above (they are not suitable for on the lead / beginners). These camps include two riding sessions per day (weather permitting), stable management sessions working through the BHS Pony Stars workbooks and activities, arts and crafts, games and a riding display and a ceremony where BHS Pony Stars certs and badges are awarded on the Friday.

How to Enquire

Existing customers:

Existing customers will have received information via email and whats app on camps. If you need further information, please contact the office via email or whats app.

New customers (Beginners)

Before taking bookings for beginners aghed 6-17, we would ask that you first book and attend a try it session with us. This allows you to ascertain that your child enjoys horse riding before committing to a camp. This costs 20 euros for 30 minutes. To book a try it session please email dunbyrnestud@gmail.com and we will advise you by email of forthcoming availability.

New customers (who have ridden before)

Before taking bookings for new customers, we would as that you take an assessment session with us. This allows your child to visit the yard and become comfortable in a new environment and allows our instructors to gauge their level of riding for camp. This costs 20 euros for 30 minutes. To book an assessment session please email dunbyrnestud@gmail.com and we will advise you by email of forthcoming availablity.

Terms and conditions

Our code of conduct applies to all camps and lessons. Where camp is booked less than two weeks before the start of camp, payment in full is required and is non refundable in all circumstances. Where camp is booked in advance, an 80 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure a space. Payment of the camp balance is then due two weeks before camp and is non refundable at this point.

Full terms and conditions will be supplied on our booking link. By booking any camp you are agreeing to these terms and conditions and to our code of conduct.

Thank you