Camp Shadow Ridge — Horseback Riding

Q: What makes Camp Shadow Ridge special?

Per Alex Irwin: family-style hospitality. Campers sleep in the house with hosts Ted and Marilyn rather than rustic cabins. Welcoming atmosphere, kind hosts, and high-quality instruction combine to make the camp experience genuinely transformative.

Q: How long is a camp session?

Per Alex Irwin: choose 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Shorter formats fit busy summer schedules; longer formats build deeper skills. Many returning campers extend their stays based on first-year experience.

Q: What besides riding is offered?

Per Alex Irwin: scavenger hunts, horse games, campfires, swimming, movies, arts and crafts. Camp life mixes the riding focus with traditional camp activities so campers get full summer-camp variety alongside horsemanship development.

Q: Is it good for beginners?

Per Alex Irwin: yes. Lessons match each camper's skill level, so absolute beginners learn fundamentals while experienced riders build advanced skills. Trail rides at the end provide a relaxed reward for the week's progress.

Q: Will my child make friends at camp?

Per Alex Irwin: highly likely. The shared horse passion plus family-style group living builds strong bonds quickly. Many campers leave with friendships that last well beyond the week.

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This a story from Alex Irwin who was at camp last August.

The photos are of her with Gemma.

Shadow Ridge has a true description, it will change your life. My camp week at Shadow Ridge was one of the best weeks I've had in a long time. I was pleased to find that we would be sleeping in the house with Ted and Marilyn. It also made me feel better that we wouldn’t have to get up at the crack of dawn each morning either.

Camp was fantastic! I recommend it to anyone! I met lots of new friends at camp that made the week really special. To all those interested in horseback riding, Shadow Ridge is by far the best. Stay for 1, 2 or 3 weeks, whichever you prefer. Each day at camp, there were exciting activities such as scavenger hunts, horse games, campfires, swimming and many more... Take lessons according to your skill level. Play games on horseback and more! You even get to watch movies, horse related or not. I thought the instruction was really good and I learned tricks that will last me a lifetime.

Also, the trail ride was very pretty and relaxing.

The arts and crafts were amazing; I really enjoyed this aspect of my camp experience. I felt very comfortable during my stay at Shadow Ridge. As soon as you walked into the house you feel right at home! Ted and Marilyn were very kind and welcoming they make you feel so comfortable! They are kind and fun to be with. The other girls were also very nice. Our days were always filled with fun activities and riding, then after being in the saddle for an hour or so you go back to the house for a hot home cooked meal! (They were always delicious especially the desserts!

They have great horses there as well. I really found the horses nice and willing to co-operate. What's not great about having a week with your own horse and just bonding with that horse. The horses and other animals were gentle and my horse, Gemma was patient and affectionate. During the lessons, I improved upon my skills and learned a few new ones as well. I really believe that I have become a better rider. I especially liked the CD (300 photos), we received; now I will be able to look back on my camp experience and remember it for years to come. I will definitely be returning to Shadow Ridge next summer. I would definitely recommend this camp to girls of all ages! It is a week of riding, crafts, friends and most of all horses. Trust me, horse lovers will love Shadow Ridge! This camp is Girls Only! Ride Shadow Ridge, or you might as well not ride at all!

Shadow Ridge Equestrian Center 13259 Hwy 7, RR 1 Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 3P1, Canada Phone: (613) 257-1867 Fax: (613) 257-2075 Email: horses@shadow-ridge.ca Website: www.shadow-ridge.ca

How Shall We Ride With The Horses. Jeremiah 12:5

Key Article Takeaways

Per Alex Irwin: Camp Shadow Ridge is "by far the best" for horseback riding in Canada.
1, 2, or 3-week formats let campers choose the right intensity.
Activities mix riding lessons with games, scavenger hunts, swimming, campfires, and arts and crafts.
Campers sleep in the house with hosts Ted and Marilyn—family-style hospitality.
Lessons match each camper's skill level; instruction was "really good" with lifetime tricks taught.

Questions readers commonly ask:

What makes Camp Shadow Ridge special?

Per Alex Irwin: family-style hospitality. Campers sleep in the house with hosts Ted and Marilyn rather than rustic cabins. Welcoming atmosphere, kind hosts, and high-quality instruction combine to make the camp experience genuinely transformative.

How long is a camp session?

Per Alex Irwin: choose 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Shorter formats fit busy summer schedules; longer formats build deeper skills. Many returning campers extend their stays based on first-year experience.

What besides riding is offered?

Per Alex Irwin: scavenger hunts, horse games, campfires, swimming, movies, arts and crafts. Camp life mixes the riding focus with traditional camp activities so campers get full summer-camp variety alongside horsemanship development.

Is it good for beginners?

Per Alex Irwin: yes. Lessons match each camper's skill level, so absolute beginners learn fundamentals while experienced riders build advanced skills. Trail rides at the end provide a relaxed reward for the week's progress.

Will my child make friends at camp?

Per Alex Irwin: highly likely. The shared horse passion plus family-style group living builds strong bonds quickly. Many campers leave with friendships that last well beyond the week.