Monday–Friday · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Summer Horse Riding Camps in Virginia

At Double C Ranch, your child will learn, ride, and grow with some of the safest, most trustworthy horses in the Blue Ridge.

All of our camp horses are former performance horses — exceptionally well-trained, well-cared-for, gentle in personality, and wonderfully reliable with children.

M–FCamp Schedule
9–3Daily Hours
10Max Riders / Week
7+Ages

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Safety & Staff Credentials

Your Child Is in Good Hands

  • Certified riding instructor leading the program
  • All staff are SafeSport Certified
  • Trained in heat safety protocols
  • Trained in health & hygiene protocols
  • Trained in emergency preparedness

What Makes Our Camps Exceptional

  • Maximum of 10 riders per week for personalized attention
  • Gentle, reliable, well-trained former performance horses
  • Supportive, encouraging environment
  • Focus on confidence building, horsemanship, and fun
Campers with horses at Double C Ranch

Choose Your Week

Our Camp Weeks

Western Riding Camp at Double C Ranch

Western Riding Camp

DatesJune 1 – June 5
June 29 – July 3
7–13Ages
Max Riders10 per week

Perfect for riders excited to learn Western riding and classic arena patterns. Camp focuses on an introduction to western riding:

  • Western seat & body control
  • Barrel pattern introduction
  • Pole bending pattern introduction
  • Proper cues & safe technique
  • Daily Western riding lessons
  • Horse care, grooming & handling
  • Groundwork & horsemanship lessons
  • Creative Western-themed activities

After lunch each day, campers enjoy supervised cool-off time in our above-ground pool before the afternoon activities.

Friday at 11 AM: Barrel Race & Pole Bending Competition. Riders compete in a fun, supportive environment for prize money up to 5th place, with an optional add-money pot. Families are always welcome at the show!

Reserve Your Spot at Western Camp
English Riding Camp at Double C Ranch

English Riding Camp

DatesJune 8 – June 12
July 6 – July 10
7–13Ages
Max Riders10 per week

Ideal for riders who love the English discipline or want to learn Dressage and Jumping. Campers build confidence and classical riding skills through:

  • Dressage basics — seat, aids, figures
  • Pole work & beginner jumping
  • Intro to rein contact and balance
  • Daily English riding lessons
  • Horse care, grooming & handling
  • Groundwork and communication
  • Creative horse-themed projects

After lunch each day, campers enjoy supervised cool-off time in our above-ground pool before the afternoon activities.

Friday at 11 AM: Beginner Dressage & Beginner Jumping Show. Riders compete in two fun classes and earn ribbons up to 6th place. Parents, friends, and family are encouraged to attend and cheer!

Reserve Your Spot for English Camp
Mounted Games Riding Camp at Double C Ranch

Mounted Games Riding Camp

DatesJune 15 – June 19
July 13 – July 17
7–13Ages
Max Riders10 per week

This exciting, high-energy camp is perfect for riders who love teamwork, fun challenges, and learning mounted games. Throughout the week, campers build confidence, balance, strategy, and horsemanship while working closely with their horses and teammates.

  • Foundational mounted games
  • Precision, balance & coordination on horseback
  • Teamwork, communication & strategy
  • Game rules, patterns & safe techniques
  • Daily riding lessons focused on mounted games
  • Horse care, feeding, grooming & handling
  • Groundwork & horsemanship lessons
  • Creative games-themed activities

After lunch each day, campers enjoy supervised cool-off time in our above-ground pool before the afternoon activities.

Each rider receives a Mounted Games Certification at the end of the week. Friday at 11 AM: Team Games Competition — campers split into two teams and compete in a fun, supportive environment. Champion Team receives Champion Certificates; Reserve Champion Team receives Reserve Champion Certificates. Families are warmly invited to cheer on the riders!

Reserve Your Spot for Mounted Games Camp
Advanced Riding Camp at Double C Ranch

Advanced Riding Camp

DatesJuly 27 – July 31
9–16Ages
Max Riders8 per week  ·  $1,000

Designed for experienced riders looking to challenge themselves and refine their skills in jumping and dressage. Participants must either be current students or qualify through an introductory lesson to ensure they are a good fit, with the ability to walk, trot, and canter required. Riders also have the option to bring their own horse.

  • Advanced flatwork and lateral movements (dressage)
  • Jumping lessons and grid work
  • Trail rides
  • In-depth learning on advanced horse care, conditioning, and nutrition
  • Groundwork and liberty work
  • Daily intensive riding lessons
  • Pool cool-off after lunch

After lunch each day, campers enjoy supervised cool-off time in our above-ground pool before the afternoon activities.

Friday at 11 AM: Skills Showcase. Riders demonstrate their skills for families and compete in friendly challenges, earning ribbons and prizes.

Reserve Your Spot for Advanced Riding Camp

Questions

Summer Camp FAQs

Do campers need previous riding experience?

No experience is required for Western, English, or Mounted Games camps! We place riders in small groups by skill level so both beginners and experienced riders thrive safely. The Advanced Camp requires a minimum of 1 year of regular riding lessons or equivalent experience.

What makes Double C Ranch camps different from other horse camps?

We limit every session to just 10 riders per week. That means your child actually rides every day — not just watches. Our camp horses are former performance horses: exceptionally well-trained, gentle, and reliable with children. Our certified instructor uses German riding methodology combined with Pony Club standards, giving campers a real riding education, not just pony rides.

What should my child bring each day?

Long pants (leggings, jeans or riding pants), closed-toe shoes with a small heel (cowboy boots or paddock boots work great), sunscreen, a hat for sun protection, a packed lunch and snacks, a water bottle, and a swimsuit and towel for pool time after lunch.

Does my child need their own helmet?

We have a great selection of high-quality helmets available for campers to use at no extra charge. If your child has their own properly fitted riding helmet, they are welcome to bring it.

What if my child has never been around horses before?

That's completely fine — many of our campers are meeting horses for the first time! Our horses are former performance horses who are exceptionally gentle, patient, and reliable with children. We start every camper with groundwork and handling so they build confidence before getting in the saddle.

What happens during bad weather or extreme heat?

Safety always comes first. We have an enclosed barn and a loft space with fun activities including interactive quizzes, educational software, karaoke, and a TV area. On extreme heat days, we adjust the riding schedule to cooler parts of the day and make extra use of our pool and indoor spaces. Camp is never canceled due to weather — we always have a great plan B.

What are the drop-off and pick-up times?

Camp runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available as an add-on. Contact us at [email protected] to arrange.

Can my child sign up for more than one camp week?

Absolutely! Many campers attend multiple weeks to experience different disciplines — Western one week, English the next. Each camp teaches different skills so there is no overlap.

Do you offer a sibling discount?

Yes! Contact us at [email protected] to arrange sibling pricing.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we understand camp is an investment. We offer flexible payment plans so your child doesn't have to miss out. Contact us at [email protected] to set one up.

What is your cancellation policy?

Camp registrations are non-refundable, but transfers to a different camp week are allowed based on availability.

Can parents stay and watch during camp?

Camp is drop-off only Monday through Thursday so campers can focus, bond with their group, and build independence. On Friday at 11:00 AM, parents, family, and friends are invited to come watch the end-of-week competition and cheer on the riders!

Does my child need to fill out any forms before camp?

Yes, a medical and emergency information form is included as part of the online registration. Please complete it fully at the time of registration.

Is there a pool? Is it supervised?

Yes! After lunch each day, campers cool off in our above-ground pool. Pool time is always supervised by staff.

What if my child has allergies or medical needs?

Please note all allergies and medical needs on the registration form. Our staff are trained in health, hygiene, and emergency protocols. If your child has specific needs, contact us at [email protected] so we can prepare in advance.

How do I register?

Click the "Reserve Your Spot" button for the camp week you want. Spots are first-come, first-served and limited to 10 per week. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 434-443-7369.

Want to Join Us at Summer Camp?

Spots are first-come, first-served and limited to 10 riders per week.

Reserve Your Spot