Camp Cheval teaches hunt-seat riding to children ages 6 - 16. For children who love horses, this week-long riding and learning experience is the highlight of the summer. Campers immerse themselves in all things equine, acquire riding and horsemanship skills, make friends with other horse lovers and enjoy fun-filled days on our beautiful farm.

We accommodate a wide range of rider expertise, from those sitting on a pony for the first time to accomplished equestrians. We consider age and capability when placing campers into appropriate groups. Everyone in a group is working on (more or less) the same skills. This allows us to challenge riders sufficiently and minimize frustration.

For experienced riders, we offer the Junior Invitational, designed to hone the competitive skills of those who show horses. If you have a horse, bring him to camp with you and take home a more polished show team.
 

We maintain an exceptionally low ratio of riders to instructors and counselors in order to ensure the greatest amount of education, fun and safety.  Mounted lessons are taught by the Riding Instructors on staff at MacNair's Country Acres. Counselors (who are experienced equestrians) teach ground lessons.
 

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Our day is packed with activities. Campers arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 and  promptly at 9:00 begin grooming and tacking up the horses. The morning consists of a riding lesson, an unmounted "ground" lesson and other activities. During ground lessons campers learn about many different aspects of horses - the care and feeding of horses, what makes them behave they way they do, how to handle such a large animal and much more. (The ground lessons for Junior Invitational riders are more specific to showing.) We also find time for other activities.
 

Half-day campers depart at 12:30 pm.  

After lunch, full-day campers repeat the morning schedule, (with a new ground lesson) and have another chance to ride. Mon through Thu departure is at 5:00  PM, on Fri departure is at 3:00.  With advance notice extended hours are available on Friday. For those in the 4-H Club and Junior Invitational sessions, each day ends at 3:00.
 

(We reserve the right to amend the riding schedule for inclement weather, such as thunderstorms or excessive heat.) 

On Fridays, parents and friends are invited to watch their children exhibit the skills they have acquired.  The campers begin with a ground presentation and then display their newly acquired riding prowess.  Depending on the group, the Friday demonstrations range from walking and trotting to negotiating a course of jumps.

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"Cheval" is the French word for "horse," while "camp" translates as "children having fun."  Camp Cheval

combines the two.  Magic happens when children learn to ride and confidence grows as campers learn to care for and handle these beautiful creatures. We also find time for camp crafts and other fun activities.

Parent comment from last summer: "I was impressed by how much the girls learned."
 

Camp Cheval has been the premier Riding Day Camp in the Triangle Area for over 40 years. Please schedule a visit to see our beautiful farm and meet our ponies, horses and instructors.

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