IN a summer generally doomed by dismal weather, the Worcestershire Hunt Branch of the Pony Club chose probably the best week yet to hold its summer camp at Lincomb Equestrian, near Stourport-on-Severn.

The sun shone, people wore shirt sleeves and not sweatshirts and everyone, including the mums who made the tea, had a great time.

A total of 64 members ranging in age from four to 17 took part.

The camp was split into senior camp, with 34 members who camped under canvas for four nights and mini camp, who came on a daily basis for three days.

A full range of activities took place with an Olympic theme running throughout the week.

Mounted activities concentrated on developing the children’s confidence and abilities on their ponies, while making use of the excellent facilities available at the site.

For the older members, activities concentrated on the three disciplines of dressage, show-jumping and eventing, with specialist instructors being brought in for the particular day.

Dismounted activities concentrated on stable management and the knowledge required to care for the horses and ponies.

The highlight for many was taking part in an early morning hound exercise with the hounds from the Worcestershire Hunt.

This was followed by a cooked breakfast for all.

Evening activities included a talk and graphic demonstration by local vets MacArthur Barstow Gibbs on the working of a horse’s leg.

There were team-building games based around an Olympic format and a tent judging competition was held to find the tent which best represented the Olympic theme.

One of the unofficial highlights was a massive waterfight which managed to catch some instructors and helpers as well as the members and each day ended with chilling out around the bonfire. Bring on summer 2013.