Adult Retreat Camp
Do you want to go to an all-inclusive sleep away camp? Tired of the ordinary?
Imagine a week where the only item on your agenda is the rhythm of hoofbeats, the whisper of the wind through the pines, and the profound joy of connecting with a powerful, gentle partner. Join us on this one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive adult getaway designed not just as a vacation, but as a journey for the soul.
This is your invitation to trade the noise of daily life for an immersive experience where horses, nature, and unparalleled comfort converge. The best way to learn to ride, is to immerse yourself in riding.
Who Is This For? This retreat is for anyone who has ever felt the call of the horse—from enthusiastic beginners to experienced riders looking to deepen their connection. If you crave adventure, value community, and are ready to experience the transformative power of partnering with a horse, you have found your herd.
Each day is thoughtfully crafted to balance exhilarating adventure with deep, personal growth in the saddle.
· Master the Trail: Our days are filled with guided trail riding through breathtaking and varied landscapes. From sun-dappled forest paths to sweeping mountain vistas, you’ll build confidence and skill while exploring the wilderness from the best seat in the house.
· Forge a True Partnership: This is more than just a ride. You will be paired with your own horse for the week, allowing you to build a unique bond and mutual trust. Through ground exercises, mindful horsemanship lessons and clinics, you’ll work towards being able to communicate, listen, and move in harmony with your equine partner.
· Become a Student of the Horse: We delve into the "why" behind the "how." Explore avenues of horsemanship that interest you, from equine psychology and natural communication to the fundamentals of horse health and care.
After a day of adventure, retreat to your home away from home—a beautifully restored farmhouse that exudes warmth and character. Unwind on a sprawling porch with a glass of wine, share stories by the stone fireplace, or simply soak in the serene views of the pastures where your equine partners graze.
We believe a great adventure deserves great food. Your stay is graced by the talents of our private chef, who crafts delicious, chef-prepared meals from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Enjoy gourmet picnic lunches on the trail and multi-course dinners that become a celebrated part of each evening's conversation. Dietary needs are not just accommodated; they are celebrated.
This All-Inclusive Retreat Includes:
· 6 Nights in our luxurious, private farmhouse accommodation
· 5 Days Riding on our well-behaved and experienced trail and lesson horses
· All chef-prepared meals: from healthy breakfasts to buffet lunches and homemade dinners
· Daily guided trail rides on carefully selected, seasoned horses
· Your dedicated equine partner for the duration of the retreat
· Daily horsemanship clinics and partnership-building sessions
· All necessary riding equipment
· A supportive community of like-minded adult riders
Prices:
- Single - $3300 per single
- Room Share Pair - $3000 per person sharing a room
- Non-Riding Partner - $1650 sharing a room with their riding partner
- Commuter Rate: $2200 per person -- As Limited Space Allows
Commuters would be included in everything except for breakfast and overnighting in a room at the farmhouse
If registration is full, please send us an email. We may have additional space due to room sharing campers!
Please email us if you are a Room Share or Commuter and we will pro-rate your registration to the appropriate cost. We have one room that has full size mattress bunk beds as well as a full size trundle for room shares.
------------------------------
IMMERSION CAMP: For Brave Beginners on Up!
------------------------------
Prior experience is not necessary for the Immersion Camp! We just motivation to learn, the sense of adventure in doing something different, the willingness to work hard and the stamina and wit to put it all together. We will help you master the biomechanics of horseback riding and give you life-long trail riding skills that will take you to the places you wish to go.
Whether you are a gutsy and athletic novice rider or a seasoned equestrian, we will help you hone your skills through a variety of lessons, lectures, games, trail rides and on-the-ground training with our horses culminating in an all-day trek into the National Forest.
The main goal of our camp is to get everyone out on trails enjoying the Finger Lakes – as that is our specialty. We will partake in several lessons on trail and in the arena, as well as recreational trail rides to enjoy the beauty of the region helping you increase your independence and capability on riding in the real world.
At camp, our "campers" may be split into various groups based on their skills and natural abilities:
- Gusty Novice riders will get a primer on riding, helping them to not only understand riding not just by how to execute cues, but why those cues work and how to properly communicate with their mount.
- More seasoned riders will be given opportunities to really strengthen their abilities and problem-solve their weaknesses while developing an in-depth understanding of the biomechanics of both the horse and the human and how they sync in harmony.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE IMMERSION CAMP SCHEDULE
------------------------------
TRAIL WARRIOR CAMP: For Intermediate and Advanced Riders------------------------------
While our immersion camp is focused more on the experience of owning a horse and immersing yourself in life in the barn working with your horse, the Trail Warrior Camp is about taking it to the next level and learning how to travel with a horse to various locations in the Finger Lakes to hit the trails and go the distance.
In the Trail Warrior Camp we will spend each day doing a half-day ride at local National Forest and State Forest trails as well as a shorter evening ride. Many of the evening rides will be moonlight rides where we will focus on using our non-visual senses, developing faith in our partnerships and learning how to work with horses instead of commanding them.
Access to many of these trails is only accessible via trailer, making trailering skills and trailer safety a large part of this camp. Campers will learn various quick release knots, horse loading techniques, trailer safety, particular health issues and dangers that are connected to trailering and more.
Trail Warriors must be of Intermediate or Advanced Level in terms of skillsets as we will be doing longer treks at various speeds on a multitude of terrain.
Riding Test: On the Monday of camp, every rider will take a short riding test to ensure they are competent enough for the upcoming treks, and fall into the below guidelines. The decision of the manager conducting the test is final. For any riders who don’t ride frequently, or have been out of the saddle for a while, we highly recommend getting back into the saddle prior to your trip. Whether this means taking lessons, riding with a friend, or going on a local trail ride, it’s important to get reacquainted with your riding muscles before spending hours in the saddle while on holiday!
Our stables predominantly hits the trail in Western Tack, however all of our horses are trained in both English and Western styles and will be riding in SNAFFLE bits. Riders who are joining a trip where they will not be riding in their normal riding discipline may find themselves at a lower riding level than they might be at home.
For any rider who does not pass their intermediate level riding test, they will be welcome to do one hour trail rides or join lessons with our existing students each morning with an instructor to better learn the skills they were lacking in order to "catch up" to the group to join the ½ day rides. They are still welcome to join the shorter evening moonlight rides or sunset rides with the group.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A SAMPLE TRAIL WARRIOR CAMP SCHEDULE
Intermediate
Intermediate riders are familiar with correct riding position and can ride in control at the walk, trot, and canter. Intermediate riders will be able to post or rise the trot on the correct diagonal and to ride at the canter without bracing on the saddle or reins. Riders who have a history of riding regularly, or ride semi-frequently.
Intermediate rides offer rides at varied paces, depending on the riders in the group, and well-schooled horses. Many trips fall into this category, since there is room for flexibility.
Advanced
Advanced riders are those who ride well and are currently riding regularly, confidently and in control at the walk, trot, canter, and gallop over open ground or variable terrain, with independent seat and hands. Comfortable and competent with a forward-going horse.
-----------------------------
PHYSICAL FITNESS EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL CAMPS:------------------------------
Basic physical fitness is a must as working with horses requires a level of physical aptitude. All riders must:· Be capable of standing on their feet and walking for multiple hours a day while in the barn.
· Have the capacity and endurance enough that they would be able to climb 3 flights of stairs without being winded.
· Be able to carry 30lbs. of weight. Hay bales weigh 40 lbs., and saddles range between 20 to 50lbs. depending on the style and size of the saddle.
· For camp, due to limited availability of larger horses, all riders must weigh 230lbs. or less, which is less than our stable’s usual weight limit of 250lbs.
------------------------------
THE RESIDENCE AND FOOD FOR CAMPS:------------------------------
Spend each night in private room at the beautiful Gathering Hill Farm farmhouse eating a variety of locally sourced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.The Gathering Hill Farmhouse is a glorious 5 bedroom 19th century farmhouse with a lake view. Built in 1819, this 5 bedroom and 3 bathroom farmhouse sits on 8 acres of deer trails. A walking path leads across the street and next door to wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Only a 5 minute drive to the stables, you will have the option of taking our shuttle or driving yourself.
- Each day you will make your own breakfast at the farmhouse using the kitchen fully stocked with local ingredients and then be shuttled to our stables where you will partake in either a riding lesson or trail ride,
- For lunch you will be shuttled back to the farmhouse where we can host seminars on selected equine topics or you can either rest, relax, and stretch your sore muscles, or take a short walk to the vineyards on the Seneca Wine Trail. As a group we may take the shuttle to check out breweries or wineries.
- In the evening you will return to the stables where you will partake each evening in a trail ride, group lesson or game night.
- Each evening you will have a dinner specially prepared for you by a private chef at the farmhouse.
- On the last day, you will go on an all-day riding adventure through the Finger Lakes National Forest and receive a banquet feast afterwards back at the house.
------------------------------
Non-Riding Partner Tag Along?------------------------------
Do you have a partner who wants to tag along but does not want to ride? They are totally welcome to join us at the posh farm house with all of the fabulous meals.
Cost of Non-Riding Partner: $1650 for the week
For half price, non-riding partners get all of the inclusions of camp but without the riding:
- Shared bedroom with their partner who is riding
- Meals
- Private Chef Dinners and Capstone Dinner
- Welcome at the barn to watch lessons and participate in the horse management portions on the ground
- Use of the Shuttle between destinations
To register a non-partner please go to this link:
https://paintedbarstables.pike13.com/courses/323079
* Note: Because of the mixed skill levels that we accommodate in this camp, we do not allow people to bring their own horses for this experience. Please email us about other trips and camps that we offer that allow horse owners to bring their own horses.
If a cancellation is needed before the start of the event for ANY reason (whether because of a COVID19 diagnosis or symptoms, a death in the family, an injury... any reason) a transferable but non-refundable deposit of 20% will apply. This deposit will be added to your account as account credit to be used towards future programs or rides.
Starting two weeks (14 days) before the event, there will be absolutely no refunds unless we can fill your camp spot with a full-paying client from our waitlist.
Please be sure to coordinate with us prior to the start of the program if there are any concerns.