Penn State Offering the Ultimate Summer Vacation for Horse Enthusiasts and Their Families

University Park, PA- Gather up your family and friends for an exciting weekend full of horses, camping, activities, and education.

The Penn State Equine Science Program will be operating a three day, horse camp on July 13th-July 16th 2006. A variety of activities will be available to interest every member of the family. Horse enthusiasts from beginners to advanced will find numerous opportunities to learn more about horsemanship, riding safety, horse care, and property management. Riding lessons in various disciplines will be offered, including western, dressage, hunt seat and actual trail riding. Even the “non- horsey” family members will enjoy activities such as educational programming, swimming, crafts, games, camping, and a western-style cook-out.

“This event will help both youth and adult owners, with the care, training, and riding of their own horse. Those of us on the Penn State faculty want to encourage horse owners to be a part of the Penn State Equine Science Program. This camp is a safe and exciting way to get involved in horse activities,” says Dr. Ann Swinker, Associate Professor of Equine Science and Extension Horse Specialist at Penn State.

Riding instruction and lecture topics will be presented by many of the top industry professionals. This will include dressage trainer FEI Stewart, dressage judge Carol Bulmer of Florida, riding instructor Ed Jodon of Jodon’s Stables in Port Matilda, PA, Bud and Gwen Wills, Pennsylvania Equine Council- Trails Stewardship program and members of the Penn State University faculty and staff.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to work with their horse and receive riding instruction. Horsepersons of all backgrounds will have the chance to improve their horsemanship knowledge and skills,” says Pat Comerford, Extension Horse Specialist and 4H Youth Horse Coordinator.

The Penn State horse camp will take place at the Ag Progress Days, Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Rock Springs, PA, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45.

Penn State University is also offering two additional horse camps. The first camp will be coordinated by the Westmoreland County Extension Office in the western part of Pennsylvania. This camp will run from July 25th through July 27th, 2006 tentatively at Crooked Creek Park in Ford City. The third camp will be in conjunction with Montgomery County Extension in eastern Pennsylvania. It will run from September 23rd through September 24th, 2006.

Early registration is encouraged for all three camps, as space is limited. For more information, contact Dr. Ann Swinker at (814) 865-7810 or aswinker@psu.edu. Also, visit the Penn State on the web at www.das.psu.edu (Click on Horse Camps).