More Fun In The Sun !!! WHOA-TWHBEA 12-17 Youth Camp
 
 
Montverde, FL-  The 3rd Annual WHOA-TWHBEA 12-17 Youth Camp was held June 14-19 at Montverde Academy. The Montverde Eagles Coach arrived Sunday afternoon carrying campers from the Tennessee area along with WHOA Pleasure Horse Director Sis Osborne who graciously chaperoned the campers for the bus trip and during the week. Other campers flew into the Orlando airport and were transported to Montverde by camp chaperones. Several participants brought their own horses to camp this year and had the opportunity to learn tips on handling their horses. WHOA Academy Committee Chairperson Harolene Willis along with Angie Hornaday had been chaperones at the 11 and under camp the previous week and continued their excellent guidance through the 12-17 camp to help with dorm monitoring and chaperone duties. WHOA Youth Director Dee Dee Sale and WHOA Sales and Marketing Director Mark Taylor were also on hand to help coordinate the camp serve as dorm monitors. Sunday night after all 23 campers had arrived everyone was treated to a cook out at the Montverde Academy Equestrian Center barn followed by a game of Foxes and Hounds. Monday morning Instructors Leigh Bennett, Alice Klein, Carol Wakefield and Sara Womack put the campers into 4 groups depending on their level of experience. Monday afternoon campers were given riding lessons followed by a pool party. Tuesday morning lessons began at 9:00 AM followed by lunch at noon at the Montverde Academy Cafeteria. The participants then went swimming until mid afternoon followed by a second riding lesson for the day. Wednesday morning campers awoke to a great breakfast of bacon, eggs and french toast followed by a morning riding lesson at 9:00 AM. After lunch the group headed for Sea World in Orlando on the Montverde Coach Bus driven by Carol Wakefield for an afternoon and evening of fun. It was a pleasure to have Toni Specht, representing Montverde Academy, join the group at Sea World. Thursday morning campers were given a clinic by noted veterinarian Dr. Shane Files of Mount Dora, FL with hands on demonstrations of checking heart rates, temperatures and proper leg bandaging. After lunch campers had their final riding lesson in preparation for the Camp Horse Show on Friday. Thursday evening several campers and chaperones went back to Sea World since each ticket had been validated for a second visit the previous day and the remaining campers had a swimming / pizza party on the Montverde Campus. Friday was the final day of camp and that morning instructors held a rehearsal of the Camp Horse show with each participant practicing their skills. Following the rehearsal campers cleaned tack and got the horses washed and ready for the show. That evening the Montverde Cafateria provided a great dinner for the campers prior to show time. The show started promptly at 7:00 PM and the honorable Diane McMurtrey did a great job judging the show. Many parents, grand parents and friends were on hand to cheer the campers on. There were 14 classes and each camper was able to show at least 2 times. During the show awards were presented to Montverde Academy and Kasey Kesselring for hosting the camp for the 3rd consecutive year. Most improved Rider was awarded to Jessica Opificius of Florida. Sportsmanship award went to Brinkley Raynor of North Carolina and Most Helpful award went to Meg Caldwell of Florida. Instructors Leigh Bennett, Alice Klein, Carol Wakefield, Sara Womack assisted by Paige Bennett did an outstanding job giving lessons to the 23 campers in attendance this year and made the camp fun for everyone. States represented at this exciting event were Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. A special thanks to Montverde Academy for hosting the camp and providing lesson horses and housing for everyone during the week. Thanks also to Diane McMurtrey for allowing the campers to use her great horse Pay At The Pump during the camp and L & M Awards in Shelbyville for providing the ribbons for the Camp Horse Show.
 
2009 WHOA-TWHBEA Youth Camp Sponsors:
 
Frank E. Neal & Co. Inc.                                      
David Pruett                                                        
Brian & Denise Habig                                   
Wink & Nancy Groover                                     
Dee Dee Sale                                                 
Tommy Hall                                                        
Bill & Phyllis Reed
Deborah L. Williams                                           
Virginia Stewart
Gail Hart 
Marty Irby
Mark Taylor 
Andrew Waites Family 
Montverde Academy   
                                      
For more information on youth camp go to www.walkinghorseowners.com