Kick ON Camp – Host Blog
Camp Host – Pauline Kidd
Camp Date: 17-19th March 2017 Location: Lindores Cross Country
Thank you Anna & Team Lindores for an amazing inaugural Kick ON Camp!
A year ago I had a wee idea of pooling 25 years of trainings and skill sets, roping in my 2 favourite trainers and finding a camp venue for some special clients to get their mojo back for eventing. When I heard about The Bothy at Lindores and the vast 85 acre xc I knew that HAD to be it. Getting Avril Johnston, Jen Burnett, Lindores & I to find a mutual weekend took some doing but we did it!
The Camp filled in under 22 mins and we had a wait list of 25. Some last
minute horse injuries meant a couple of very special riders had a life changing weekend.
We had 27 riders spanning 4 decades in age and making come backs from horse injury, rider neck or spinal fracture, post baby, post meltdown or just a decade off! I assembled a legendary A Team of Top trainers Avril Johnston & Jen Burnett, epic Stable Manager Kirsty Morton of Epona Animal Services & 1st Aider Amanda Kilgour (thankfully not required!).
I was very fortunate to have the brilliant Bothy Wingman Karen Robertson by my side from 7am til 10pm each day serving meals, cheeky wee subliminal confidence NLP sessions and amazing rider support. If I’d squeezed in an Integrated Rider Session I’d’ve used my entire skill set- i did Active Stretch sessions in the Bothy, some magic fascial release on a few horses, some “band aid” Rolfing on some rider muscle pulls, a wee bit of cranial release and even a quick look at Anna’s knee.
My hobby is PK’s Positive Nutrition & I had a ball feeding 34 folk all weekend with Karen’s never ending help. All diets catered for! We had a fantastic Friday night Kick On Camp Bake Off with 20 entries – thank you Judges Emma Thompson, Anna Black & Nicola Ingram of Nicola’s Homebakes… or Clarissa, Mary Berry & Nigella! Saturday evening was a wee goal setting session and advice from the trainers on what’s next.
The Bothy fed confidence & switched anxiety to excitement, the XC brought back the BEST grins I’ve ever seen. Riders returning for the 1st time xc after a neck or spine fracture or horses being off for up to two years coming back to Karen & i in the Bothy was just magical. And for one very VERY special Wobbleberry… jumping her first EVER xc jump on the Saturday… to the middle barrels on the Sunday- Avril & Jen you are Simply The BEST!
Anna offered me a lift up to see the xc on Sunday and – in front of a room full of riders – I was heard to say, No … the first time I see the xc up there will be on my horse. Bring on 50 I say.
Thank you SO much to my A team – to see Facebook so full of so many happy posts made all the organising (& cooking!) worth it. Massive thanks to Sue Heard Photography for these pics!
Bring on Season ’17!
Kick ON Camp Host: Pauline Kidd
Instructor Jennifer Burnett BHSII
A bit about Lindores Cross Country and Lindores Lodge…
Lindores Cross Country nominated as Equestrian Business of the Year 2017 is fast becoming Scotland’s leading camp venue. The facility has undergone significant investment and is able to offer stabling, accommodation and equestrian facilities for all levels of budget and ability.
The venue offers grass showjumping paddocks, an outdoor sand school and the jewel in the crown is the established and impressive cross country training facility over 85 acres with 125 fences of all heights and styles. The venue also has 30 safe and solid stables, locked tack-room, a campsite, hook ups, showers, toilets and a very sociable and friendly Bothy with kitchen, log burning stove, benches and sofas.
Lindores Lodge luxury accommodation is also on site and offers riders the opportunity to stay an architecturally designed and tasteful space. Its a relaxing rural retreat with hot tub and stunning countryside views. Hugely popular for horse holidays in Scotland.
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