Horse play in Watkins

Parents were invited to Broken Wheel Farms on Thursday, July 21, for a special barbeque and horse show to bring a close to a week – long horse training camp for their daughters. Eight girls between the ages of 7-15 spent an entire four – night, five – day week at the Watkins farm to improve their horsemanship. The girls saddled up and got into the riding arena to show new skills to their proud parents. Mary Loch, who owns and operates Broke Wheel Farms with her husband Dale, has trained people to ride horses for more than 20 years. However, this was the first time she held an entire week of overnight camp. She says the camp turned out to be a special week for everyone. “The week consisted of just girls, horses, and the outdoors – no TV, no videogames. Each girl bonded with each other and bonded with their animal. It was really awesome.” The girls stayed in campers and had an itinerary of fun and challenging activities to do during each day. They worked on skills such as trotting, galloping, and carrying a flag while riding. Each girl was responsible for her horse, stall and tack, and her own belongings. Competitions were held throughout the week and prizes were awarded for various achievements such as keeping the cleanest stall. Every day ended with a bonfire under the stars. Loch had help from her daughter and two special guests from Germany who assisted as camp counselors. Eleven-year-old Summer Swaisgood of Kimball boards her Swedish Warmblood horse Sarajuro (“Sara”) at Broken Wheel Farms and attended the week-long training camp. She says Loch’s activities and training were a mix of fun and education. “I’m usually not good at galloping. It’s kind of scary sometimes. But Mary taught us how to gallop and I’m not so scared anymore.” The week-long camp cost $250 per girl and included all materials, activites and meals. Summer’s dad Karl says he has seen a tremendous improvement in his daughter’s horsemanship since working with Loch. “I’ve been having to help her saddle for two years. Since she’s been here, she can saddle her own horse. Mary is by far the best teacher I’ve found in the area.”  Loch said the weekend was so successful she hopes to hold another camp again next year with up to 12 girls. One of her favorite parts of the week was seeing the confidence grow in each girl. “If they can do this, they can do anything – take on the bully at school, take on the math test. They can do anything.” Summer says Loch’s enthusiam for horses and teaching people has inspired her in many ways.  “Riding is my favorite thing to do. Some day I want to teach kids how to ride horses.”