In the picturesque landscape of Braidwood, New South Wales lies a haven for budding equestrians — The Saddle Camp. This unique girls-only overnight riding camp offers tailored riding experiences primarily aimed at girls aged 8 to 13, although boys and adults are welcomed to partake in the day camps, trail rides, and riding lessons. Founded by passionate equestrian Helen Faulkner, the camp started over two decades ago with humble beginnings and has since evolved into a comprehensive riding facility.
With a focus on beginners, the camp prides itself on its intimate setting. Boasting just two horses and two ponies great focus is placed on tailoring each riding program to suit each rider and the level of challenge that they wish to progress to.
Growing up in Sydney, Helen found her passion for horses from the young age of 7 when she attended a school excursion to Little’s Animal Farm and was chosen to sit on a big grey. I grew up in Sydney, and I fell in love with horses on a school excursion to when I was 7. Helen recalls feeling tall and magnificent on this horse and her obsession grew from this moment forward.
Despite initial resistance from her parents, she persisted in her love for horses, eventually purchasing her first pony, Dusty, at the age of 14. Despite parental scepticism about making a career out of her passion, she pursued various jobs to gain experience after finishing school and at the young age of 21 had saved up enough money to put a deposit on a farm.
Advised by her parents to start a bit smaller, however, Helen began her entrepreneurial journey by writing a letter to her local shopping centre, offering to dress up as an Elf and drive a Horse cart around the carpark for Christmas. Despite having no initial experience in driving a horse cart and no horses, contracts were signed and Helen persisted with her business idea. With the help of The Yellow Pages, Helen found Wares Livery Stables where she learned to ride and before she knew it she had Pebbles the party pony for Birthday Parties, and Carriages by Cupid for Weddings, eventually growing her business to include 90 regular horse riding students throughout the week. From here, her business grew, and she bought her property in Braidwood 21 years ago, establishing The Saddle Camp.
From humble beginnings, to now running an environmentally friendly riding school in Braidwood, her journey embodies dedication and determination towards her passion. Every aspect of her work, from teaching new riders to tending to the horses, managing the business and even picking up manure brings her joy.
Moreover, The Saddle Camp’s ethos is centred around a commitment to fostering a deeper connection with nature and the environment. Embracing sustainable practices such as strip grazing and multi-species grazing, the camp endeavours to create a harmonious ecosystem where horses thrive alongside native wildlife. It’s a testament to Helen’s vision of an environmentally friendly riding school, where every aspect of operations reflects a dedication to stewardship and conservation.
Riding lessons at The Saddle Camp cover a range of skills, from foundational techniques to more advanced disciplines such as dressage and jumping. The camp offers both private one-on-one sessions and group lessons, catering to individuals with varying levels of experience and ambition. Here they will learn everything there is to know before owning a horse including following the horse’s movement at walk, trot and canter, then giving the horse instructions while walking, trotting and cantering (Dressage) and then Jumping.
In addition to formal instruction, the camp also provides opportunities for aspiring riders to participate in fun activities through its saddle club program, where riding skills are gently shaped while having fun with other riders.
Overnight camps at The Saddle Camp offer immersive experiences where young girls have the opportunity to have their own horse for as long as they stay, developing unique skills and forging lasting bonds. The camps range from short Slumber Parties, that are loads of fun and include party games on horseback, pancakes for breakfast, and riding a 5 km trail around the property, stopping for a picnic.
Then there are the Weekend Camps, Long Weekend Camps and 4 Day/3 Night Camps which are more educational. These involve all aspects of feeding, grooming, saddling up, as well as a riding lesson, and trail ride opportunities. These immersive camps also involve driving a pony and cart, practicing riding skills in Mounted games, learning about Natural Horsemanship and to how to compete in a Presentation Class, Leading Class, Riding Class and Show Jumping Competition. There’s Trophy and Rosettes awarded, and lots of photos and videos taken.
For those looking to advance their riding skills and potentially enter the competitive arena, The Saddle Camp offers access to instructional materials and virtual coaching sessions. Helen strongly encourages young riders to use the internet as much as possible as it has so much to offer in terms of improving your skills and moving into the competitive arena.
Helen has found great benefit in having online meetings and lessons with Stacy, Riders can benefit from resources provided by professionals such as Bareback and Bridleless Free-Style Reigning Champion Stacy Westfall, leveraging technology to enhance her learning experience and pass this onto students. Furthermore, The Saddle Camp’s online repository of riding tasks and lessons serves as a valuable resource for riders seeking to refine their techniques independently and all lessons can be found at www.saddlecamp.com.au/log-book.
Ultimately, The Saddle Camp serves as a hub for equine education, offering a range of programs and resources tailored to the needs of young riders, all while instilling confidence, fostering friendships and nurturing a deep love for horses and nature. Through its commitment to personalized instruction, environmental sustainability, and continuous improvement, The Saddle Camp continues to inspire the next generation of equestrians, one hoofbeat at a time.
