Hurst Equestrian Residential Camp 2026

Over the four days of the 1^st to the 4^th of May, twenty-one Hurst students enjoyed an action-packed residential camp at Hickstead Showground. They were able to enjoy the incredible facilites there, as well as an amazing roster of coaches for the weekend with Ashley Boyce, Harriet Upton, Kathy Willard, and Sophie Stanley taking the sessions. Make sure to check out our Instagram highlights from the camp here.

Students took the managment of their ponies and the yard over the course of the camp very seriously, making sure to keep on top of grooming, tack cleaing, and their yard duties.

Throughout the weekend pupils had the opportunity to work on their flatwork, showjumping, cross country. The riding was complimented with other activities such as educational talks and demonstrations, and fun activities and competitions. With students ages ranging from 6 through to 15 years old riders were split into groups based on their age and ability and each assigned an instructor for the camp who taught them in sessions across all disciplines.

Flatwork/Poles:

Showjumping:

Cross Country:

Whatch the Instagram reel of our incredible second day of camp:

Outside of the riding sessions, pupils had some amazing opportunities to learn about other aspects of horsemanship. On the Saturday afternoon there was a great polo demonstration from Robbie Denman of Highden Equestrian. He brought along two polo ponies to show students the unique tack used for polo, and also taught students how to use the mallets. The afternoon was somewhat hampered by heavy rain, but students didn’t let this stop them!

On the Sunday, Hurst Equestrian had the privilege of being invited to Pookbourne Stud where Breen Equestrian have their breeding programme. The stud manager gave a fascinating tour and talk. She showed students the stallions, the mares, and the young horses, alongside the facilities and talked students through the breeding process from start to finish and what daily life is like at the stud. Students were able to ask questions and meet the lovely horses at the stud.

Throughout the weekend students were also able to enjoy a variety of talks, demonstrations and activities. On the yard there were stable management sessions on tack cleaning, biting, bandaging, and plaiting. Ashely Boyce gave a great talk on how to have a confident mindset when riding and competing, Harriet Upton held an exercise sessions showing students the sort of workout she does to help her riding fitness, and Kathy Willard walked a showjumping course with a student and told them the sort of things they should be thinking of when walking courses at shows.  

Throughout the weekend there were additional fun activites, such as decorating a horse shoe, bulding the tallest tower with balloons, and a hobby horse riding compeition!

On the final day of the camp parents were invited to a presentation where all students received a rosette, and awards were given to those students who had excelled in particular areas.

Watch the Instagram reel of the final day here:

It was a fantastic weekend with all students learning a lot and showing improvement through the camp and a great time was had by all.