Rising Starr Horse Rescue located in Wilton is a non-profit organization that is on a mission to give America's horses a second chance at life while giving the community the chance to experience the love and compassion horses have for humans.
My almost 12-year-old daughter has been taking riding lessons with owner Kelly Stackpole since she was 7 and has taken so much from her experience that riding and caring for horses has become one of her main passions. My daughter shares, "I love meeting all of the rescues that they have. They each have their own personality and it's fun to be surprised about who you get to ride when you arrive." You can see photos of some of these beautiful horses here and here.
Now Enrolling for Summer Camp
The Summer Riding Program is for beginners and younger riders ages 6 to 12 and runs Mon-Fri weekly from June 14 - August 27. A camp program for 5-year-olds is also enrolling.
The camp program allows kids to gain riding experience all while being fully immersed in the operations of the barn and caring for the horses. My daughter shares, "Camp is great! Riding the horses of course is so much fun, but at camp you also learn a lot about horsemanship like how to groom and tack up, how to feed the horses and fill their water buckets."
A typical day of fun and riding includes grooming, riding Instruction 1 to 1.5 hours, natural horsemanship, feeding and care, first aid, barn care, tacking up, equine yoga, hiking, responsibility of horse ownership, mounted fun time, trail ride in addition to lessons (always with instructors), crafts, games mounted and unmounted, classroom time, clinics with a vet and blacksmith, loading trailer and riding demonstrations, and team building.
When time and weather allows, students will ride bareback and/or extra afternoon riding 1pm to 3pm. Two riding instructors are in the ring with all beginner groups. All riders get one-on-one mounted time everyday.
At the end of each week, there is a horse showoff day for family and friends where everyone leaves with a feeling of accomplishment. This is a great opportunity for the children to show friends and family what they have learned.
What will my child need to wear for riding?
All riders must have a properly fitting helmet, boots with a heel and wear long pants (NO jeans; yoga pants or proper riding pants only, unless you own your own saddle that has been approved by management for Rising Starr horses). Understanding that riding can be an expensive sport and children grow quickly, Rising Starr Horse Rescue has a small exchange program for apparel that kids have grown out of and do have a few pairs of boots at the barn that may be borrowed.
New safety guidelines for 2021
Students will be dropped off and picked up in the front parking lot. Please wait for a counselor to greet you. We will be taking temperatures with a forehead (no contact) thermometer. All students must wear a mask or a camp bandana. Students will have their own ring and day facility with hand washing stations at the ring and indoor facility. We are only accepting 15 students each week, three groups of five, so we can safely respect distancing and safety for all students on and off the horses.
Visit the web site or call 203-257-8345 and let Kelly know that you heard about Rising Starr Horse Rescue from Macaroni Kid! Camp runs Mon-Fri weekly from June 14 - August 27. The half-day program is 9am-1pm ($550) and full-day is 9am to 3pm ($750). Camp for 5-year-olds runs 9am-12pm ($450). For multi week and family discount, please call. Space is limited. No spot will be held without full registration and deposit. Program fees for 2021 will be fully refundable if camp has to cancel due to COVID 19.
More About Rising Starr Horse Rescue
Rising Starr Horse Rescue is a 501c3 organization that gives America's horses a second chance at life while giving the community the chance to experience the love and compassion horses have for humans. We offer adoptions, boarding, lessons, leasing, life coaching, equine yoga, team building and school and youth programs. We encourage and invite anybody who is interested in our cause to become part of our team. For more information visit www.risingstarrhorserescue.org for information.
Publisher received complimentary riding lessons in exchange for advertising. Opinions expressed herein are her own.
