This year we are holding our residential camp at Bovington.
https://www.racsaddleclub.co.uk/summer-camps-at-rac-saddle-club/
You can have a look at the facilities on offer here
https://www.racsaddleclub.co.uk/our-facilities/
The Saddle Club is set within 65 acres of well-maintained, stock-proof, post-and-rail fenced paddocks.
Facilities available at Bovington
• Cross Country – British Eventing 80, 90, 100, course plus a novice and 60cm course
• Mini Cross County course – up to 30cm, 40cm to 50cm
• Show Jumping all weather arena, including full set of Jump for Joy show jumps.
• XC simulated Jump for Joy fences for you to work on angles and lines
• Dressage – all weather arena
• Dressage – boards on grass
• Portable stabling (must be cleared before departure on Sunday)
• Large lorry park, so you can park as near or far from your horses as you like
• Hay and straw included (not shavings)
• Showers and toilets
• Accommodation - must bring own camp bed and bedding. Or sleep in your vehicle if you prefer
• Communal kitchen
• Club House
What to expect:
Friday 8th May 2026 - Arrive in the afternoon/evening and settle you and your horse into your accommodation. Possibly go for a hack. Bring your own supper or get a take away. Evening welcome meeting and short outline of arrangements in the club room – bring your own drinks and nibbles encouraged!
Saturday 9th - Self-serve breakfast provided in the club house before we head out for a 10am start in flat, showjumping and/or cross country with our excellent instructors. There will be 4 hours of tuition over the day with breaks for lunch and tack changes. Training will be in groups that, as far as possible, will match experience/level working at and no larger than 5 members. In the evening we will have fish and chips or pizza take away supper (or bring your own), and possibly horsey quiz/talk (or similar) in Club house.
Sunday 10th Breakfast and training in groups as per Saturday from 10am - 4pm with breaks. Professional photographer attending. Short award ceremony/prize giving before clearing stables and heading home.
What you need to bring:
Own camp bed, duvet and bed linen or sleeping bag
Lunches (these can be stored in the fridge in the club house) and suppers if not getting take- aways.
Horse feeds, mucking out equipment, buckets etc. Haylage if not using hay provided.
What’s included
Stabling and accommodation for 2 nights and 2 days of tuition of up to 4 hours each day in groups. Full use of Bovington facilities including flat and SJ arenas, BE XC course (also smaller fences). Hay and straw bedding supplied (option to arrange shavings at extra cost).
Self-serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Help yourself to tea, coffee and soft drinks anytime.
Conditions and Payment
All horses must be up to date with their annual flu jab ie: vaccinated after 7 May 2025 but before 1 May 2026
Juniors (12 to under 18) must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please advise the organiser (Shirley) at time of booking by email meonridingclub27@gmail.com
This is a members only camp but if we aren’t fully booked we will open the camp to non-members nearer the time. We expect there will be high demand for our maximum of 15 places so you are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. We may hold a wait list if over-subscribed so please contact Shirley to register your interest if you would like to be on the wait list.
Booking will be by MRL:
Members price £300
(Non members £330)
An initial payment of £100 for members (or the full amount) is payable to secure your place. Full payment of £300 must be made before April 8th 2026.
All payments are NON REFUNDABLE unless a replacement rider can be found from the wait list. Please contact Shirley if you can’t attend.
We have 3 fantastic instructors lined up in David Thomas, Roland Bellido and Ben Liles
David's Bio
I have been coaching from the age of 18 (now 50). All levels from novice to people on GB teams. Some of my clients have won European young rider medals, some have gone on to ride at top stables all around the world including Schockemohle, Stal Schep, Euro Horse. I’ve also trained the Royal Navel Show Jumping team having wins at the Royal Windsor horse show and Olympia and won many championships with various riding clubs and pony clubs.
I specialise in show jumping but have a very high level of knowledge in flat work too.
I competed up to 1.30 level producing young horses for myself and owners including Cecil Williams who was based in Essex, other riders that rode for Cecil included Peter Charles, Robert Smith, Alan Clutterbuck just to name a few.
I now spend all my time coaching, I class myself very lucky to do something I’m passionate about as my job and am well known for installing confidence and believe in horse and rider.
Roland's Bio
I am passionate about helping horse and rider partnerships improve, from the child and pony starting out, to the competitive rider.
I am an enthusiastic, approachable, encouraging instructor who wants to make lessons fun for the novice and challenging for the competitive rider to help you reach your potential.
Ben's Bio
Ben Liles based at Moreton, a BHS IT Advanced dressage rider and 4* Eventer
…comes highly recommended by MRC Member for his help with her young horse
Price includes
2 days of training, approx 3-4 hours a day in groups, depending on group sizes
2 nights stabling, Fri & Sat. Straw bedding supplied and hay included in the price. (There is an option to bring you own shavings for use in a rubber matted stable- please advise if you want to do this)
You need to bring your own forage, horse food, mucking out equipment, buckets etc. Stables must be mucked out and left empty on Sunday
Please bring your own lunches for all days attending (these can be stored in the fridge in the club house)
Buffet breakfast of cereal, toast, fruit, pastries, yoghurts etc will be available to serve yourself on Sat and Sun mornings, included tea, coffee, soft drinks on a self serve basis.
Bring your own booze or other snacks if required
Depart Sunday night
Stay in your lorry or trailer
There is a club room, kitchen and showers/bathroom for shared use
Proffessional photographer attending Sunday
Under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 18 year old. Cost of £15 per day as this is what the venue charges unmounted guests am afraid. Please advise Shirley the organiser of this at time of booking by email meonridingclub27@gmail.com
Members price £300
(Non members £330)
Deposit of £100 on booking
Balance of £200 payable before April 7th 2026