Mountain View Ranch
Sun Bowl Ranch
502 Easy St.
Dan by, VT 05739
(802) 293-5837

 

Guest Comments
"We had a great time with Smoky and the gang.  Your girls were great with the kids, too.  Thank you for a fun time! "  Bob, Bobby, Matt, & Charlotte
"Our whole family had such a great time. You guys were just as wonderful as Jay ne and Mary said that you would be! Thanks for making it great for the kids." Julie Friedman
"The Sun Bowl Ranch was certainly a big part of our Stratton stay.  This is truly a special place. Thank you."    John, Dallied, Ashley, & Natalie Palmetto
"Michelle and Bill had a great ride.  Zuni is a nice horse, and Big Red is a gentleman.  We'll come back again if we're ever in the area.  Nice people, and I liked the gift shop, too!"   (FL)
"Thanks loads for the incredible trip. This being our first time in VT will definitely not be our last!  Thanks for a first hand look at Vermont's inner beauty!  Keep up the great work and keep 'elm healthy!"    Kim (OH)
Riding Camp Comments

"Camp was a blast! I learned a lot about horses.  It was fun!   Mathew

 

"Vanessa's favorite part was the horse races.  I would come and do it again next year. . . ."   Amanda & Vanessa

 

"This camp was my favorite camp that I've ever been to.  Thank you for inviting me."    Josh

 

"We had a great time at camp. I learned so much about riding.  Thanks."   Jake

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Riding Lessons

As head instructor, Letitia stresses unity and understanding between horse and rider.  Ranch philosophy is that you are a guest on your mounts and as such you owe your mounts a great deal of respect. The Sisters' horses are gentle and willing because of the care and understanding they are given. We believe  the best way for a rider to get a horse to perform is to ask.  Sometimes the request must be firm, but it must be made with respect and gentleness..  When the rider is an extension of the horse and not a separate entity, cooperation flows naturally. The goal for a rider is to achieve a sense of balance and oneness with their horse.  This involves developing trust, clear intention, and learning how to communicate your intention to the horse in a way that develops understanding  and agreement. 

Letitia believes that learning to communicate with the horse using their language results in a beneficial experience for both horse and rider.  "There needs to be room for the horses expression and spirit - not just the riders".  The Ranch also does lessons in Natural Horsemanship, where you are taught  how to speak to your horse.  This experience can be magical and enhance your riding experience for years - whether you are a first time rider or riding all your life.

MVR lessons are also fun with the use of obstacle patterns.  Horses can get pretty accustomed to going around and around the ring - becoming as bored and predictable as their rider.  Not only do games such as, barrel racing and stakes make riding more fun, it also requires intense use and practice of skills.  Focus and concentration is required of the rider, which quickly hones skills and creates a greater connection and essential communication with your horse.  When you and your horse are really 'tuned in' your riding experience is truly inspiring. 

Horse and RiderIt is common to see riders advance at an astonishing rate as they learn in this fun environment.  The obstacle patterns require the use of focus and attention, steering,  body balance and flexibility, control through intentional communication, speed control, planning and trust.  Nothing to sneeze at when one thinks of doing this all on the back of a 1000 pound animal!

This intentional interaction with your horse allows for the constant achievement of small goals and at the same time is providing constant challenges.  This is why riding at a supportive and positive establishment, results in the rise of one's self esteem and general over-all happiness!  It is a common fact that animals can have a real positive impact on children and adults.  Couple that with learningChild Riding how to really interact with an animal in an intensely physical and trusting way and it brings the impact to a different level.  We look forward to sharing with you the world of horses and horse communication.   Lessons last one hour each and are offered in Natural Horsemanship Handling, Western and English seats, beginner through advanced.

 

Private
$50
Semi-private (2)
$40 per person
Group (3–6)
$35 per person
Junior Riding Camps
If your child is horse crazy, they will have a great time and learn a lot at one of our riding camps! Because it's all about horses and more horses.  While some camps might have filler activities, we don't!  Campers spend all day with their 'own' horse that they work with through the whole camp.  Our Junior Riding Camp focuses on making learning about, working with, and riding horses fun.  Our program not only develops riding skills, but also enhances self-confidence and responsibility.  Each rider learns to feed, groom, and care for his "own" horse safely.  By the end of camp, kids have bonded with their mounts and learned a bit more about fair play, teamwork, and cooperation.  

Our camp also has a mentoring aspect that brings the younger and older students together.  Being a mentor helps the mentor cement their knowledge through helping another.  It also fosters a feeling of community and helpfulness that leaves the younger ones feeling cared for and assisted by their older idols.  We really believe and foster a feeling of friendship and co-operation here at the Ranch.  A good example of that, is watching the kids cheer each other on during lessons and on Horse Show Day.

 

Students spend lots of time in the saddle learning to ride the fun way. Daily riding lessons involve obstacle courses and games such as egg-and-spoon, ride-a-buck, and Simon says.  Ranch philosophy teaches that doing your best, having fun, good sportsmanship and camaraderie is what riding is all about.  Please review the above Riding Lesson description above, as lessons are a big part of camp.

Students learn over the course of camp that working with a horse is always a challenge that can mean one 'run' might be perfect and the very next is not.  Riding a live animal is exciting and rewarding, but can make ones performance very unpredictable - so the key is to have fun while trying your best! 

Campers not only enjoy a daily lesson, but a trail ride as well.  Every other day they take their horses out on a picnic and have lunch on the trail.  There is something very special about being out in the nature on your horse, surrounded by mountains.  For some kids, it's a world apart from where they daily live.  For everyone, it is a calming and special experience, where one combines a beautiful ride astride an amazing 4-legged friend!   All this riding and bonding lays the groundwork for Horse Show Day.

Horse Show Day is the exciting conclusion of camp - where students enjoy a real horse show. They show off their horse and newly acquired skills to friends and family.  Spectators are often astonished at the improvement and skill that has been gained in such a short time!  During each lesson through out the camp, riders are practicing 4 to 5 different obstacle events. 

During their first lesson, their first 'run' is recorded on each event.  All through out the week these young riders are practicing and learning how to improve their times.  As their skills and communication with their horses improves, their recorded times get better and better.  This allows for riders to set and achieve constant goals.  It also means that kids are judging themselves against another but against themselves.  This fosters the healthy and supportive atmosphere here at the Ranch.  During the Horse Show each rider is going up against their best 3 recorded times.  Thus they always win a ribbon and can place 1st through 4th on Horse Show Day.  Even when a rider, in the excitement of the day, comes in 4th - they know that they accomplished a first place time during their camp experience!

Each camp also includes an overnight camping experience.  This is a wonderful and memorable experience for our camp kids, it includes: a mountain trail ride, camping, fun and games such as volleyball, kickball, archery, BBQ, s'mores around the bonfire, evening and morning horse care activities, and breakfast. We tent out under the stars surrounded by mountains, creating lasting memories.  Kids bond with each other in an even more significant way during this special aspect of camp, often times forming lifelong friendships.

Junior Riding Day Camp runs 8:30 AM – 2 PM and includes lunch. These camps are open to riders age six and older.  Also available is After Camp Care - for those parents involved in other activities - kids can stay and participate in Ranch life until 4:30 pm for an additional fee.  Campers often enroll for more than one week of camp and we offer a discount for kids enrolled in more than one camp session.  Junior Riding Camp Dates are:

Camp Dates

   6 day camps are:
June 17-22
June 24-29
July 8-13
July 29- Aug 3

  10 day camps are:
July 15-25
Aug 5-15
Aug 19-29 (11 day sleep away camp)

 

Cost for 6 day is $810
Cost for 10 day is $1,250
Cost for the 6 day sleep away camp $1,500
Overnight Ride is included in these prices
Cost for overnight is $150
Add $25 per day for After Camp Care
- extends daily, pick-up time to 4:30 PM

 

General schedule and activities of camp:

8:30 - 10:00: Learning about horses, skills include: grooming, saddling, feeding, horse behavior, how to work around horses safely and comfortably, horse care, teamwork.

10:00 - 11:30: Riding lesson (Group A) & Trail Ride (Group B): Riding skills include: proper seat, reining, control and communication between horse and rider, walk, trot and canter depending on riding ability, balance, flexibility, children learn how to perform 5 different events/games with their horses for the horse show (barrels, stakes, ride-a-buck, key hole, & flag drop), how to ride safely on the trail and in the ring, how to ride properly on trail terrain.

11:30 - 12:00: Lunch (Group B) & Break (Group A): This schedule alternates every day - on the 2nd & 4th day Group B will do the Picnic Ride.

12:00 - 1:30: Picnic Trail Ride (Group A): Kids enjoy a trail ride with a stop for a picnic lunch near a mountain stream.

12:00 - 1:30: Riding Lesson (Group B)

1:30 - 2:00: Horse care and questions and review

2:00 - 4:30: Optional After Camp Care: For parents who have schedules that don't allow for 2:00 pick-up. Activities include: Stable care, horse care, ranch chores, crafts, & relaxation.

Fun Day Horse Show Schedule:


8:30 - 10:00: Getting ready for the Show: Review, Q & A's, grooming, saddling, and feeding

10:00 - 11:30: Horse Show (Group B): Friends and family come watch with amazement all the events the kids have learned in just 3 days of lessons. Teamwork, camaraderie and fun are stressed and every rider receives a ribbon in each event.

10:00 - 11:00: Trail ride (Group A): One last chance to hone up on riding skills before the big show.

11:00 - 11:30: Watch the first Horse Show (Group A): A chance to learn and observe and, best of all, cheer on new friends.

11:30 - 12:00: Lunch (Group A)

11:30 - 1:00: Picnic ride (Group B): There's lots of excited chatter about the Show on this trail ride!

12:00 - 1:30: Horse Show (Group A):

1:00 - 1:30: Watch the second Horse Show (Group B):

1:30 - 2:00: Award Ceremony, pictures, and Goodbyes

Over Night Ride Schedule:

The Overnight Ride is now included in all camp prices.  Most kids choose to spend the night tenting out under the stars, but kids can leave after bonfire time if they choose.  The overnight is always an anticipated activity, as campers get to have more fun hanging out together. Because campers spend so much time with and on their horses during the day this time to relax around the fire, snuggle into tents and engage in many other fun activities is a welcome treat.  The overnight also includes another afternoon trail ride, horse chores, BBQ, and breakfast. 



 

Parent/Child Mini Camp Program:

For years we have heard parents grumble and complain that they too want to come to our horse camp!  So finally we are making your dreams a reality.  For those of you that think this is too much fun and your missing out - we have the perfect solution - Mini Camp!  Kids get to extend their camp day to 4:30 and parents join them from 2:30 to 4:30 for lessons and trail riding.  This gives parents a very different insight into the huge accomplishments of their child, as they too experience the challenges and gratification of riding horses.  Children also delight in the opportunity to share the special relationship they are building with their own horse with their parent.  Kids especially like being able to coach their own parents at times (because often times they know more!).  This program is designed to bring fun and collaboration of children and parents in a new and exciting way.

Sign up for one day or three days.  Generally available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2:30 - 4:30.  Cost is $140 per day for both parent and child. Availability is limited to first reservations. 

 

Please call for reservations at
(802) 293-5837

 

You may also contact us by email.  However, we are so busy we don't always check our email daily, so give us a call to make reservations.

 

Mountain View Ranch
Sun Bowl Ranch
502 Easy St.
Danby, VT 05739
802 293-5837