Equestrian students learn the ropes at camp

Using the TV show Phineas and Ferb and its “Whatcha doin’?” catch phrase as its theme, Fallbrook Silver Spurs conducted its 10th annual summer camp from June 23 to 25 at Riders Field on S. Stage Coach Lane. Twenty-five riders of all ages participated during the three days, learning and/or practicing a variety of skills involved in riding and caring for horses. The equestrian boot camp was directed by Silver Spurs’ founder Jayne Olson, who requires young participants to use manners and address their elders as “Miss” or “Mister.”

Campers this year ranged in age from 5 to 75, with 15 attending on scholarships. Besides learning how to ride a horse, Olson said they learned “horse management; how to put on tack [harness and saddle]; how to brush a horse and pick its feet and why it is important to do that; why we feed what we feed them and how to feed them; how to lead the horse; how expensive tack is, and how to clean tack and care for it so it will last.”

Olson also emphasized safety, for both students and horses. “The rider must fit the horse,” she said. Campers were matched to appropriate-sized horses. Then she matched tack that was appropriate for both the rider and the horse. Olson brought 13 horses to the camp and participants brought seven more so there were plenty of horses to work with.

High school and college students helped teach the less-experienced students and served as wranglers (also called “Candaces” after Phineas and Ferb’s older sister) who walked alongside the youngest campers, the “Perry Platypus” class, on horseback.

One of the wranglers, April Paulson, 12, attended the camp for the third time, with Cody, her 20+ year old quarter horse. April likes the camp because “it gives me a time to ride my horse and I like to hear <advice> from a lot of trainers; and I get to meet people.” A De Luz resident, April also enjoys the occasional night rides and potlucks that Silver Spurs offers at Riders Field throughout the summer.

Other campers included the Hix siblings, who brought their horse Napoleon with them. Their mother, Deanna Hix, said that she found out about Silver Spurs on the Riders Field website. Seven-year-old Jesse is going to start English riding lessons with Olson soon, while 10-year-old Jillian, who has been riding for awhile, is switching from English to Western style. Jonah, Jillian’s twin, also wants to ride Western style. The children volunteered to groom Olson’s miniature horses - Eenie, Meenie, Mynie and Moe in-between lessons.

Another horse used during the camp was Phineas, an Andalusian – Welsh pony cross who was rescued from an abusive situation in Twenty-nine Palms four

months ago.

Olson is looking for a new home for Phineas. She started Silver Spurs, a non-profit, in 2001, to provide affordable lessons to local families and to help find suitable horses for those who want to

buy one.

Scholarships are provided to those who would benefit from lessons but cannot afford them, and Olson uses her own horses to teach students who can’t afford to own one. Olson said that students from Great Oak High School in Temecula who volunteer to assist her have been an invaluable help in keeping the program going.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to Silver Spurs’ scholarship fund, or who would like more information on the program, can reach Olson at (760) 731-3268 or visit

http://www.fallbrooksilverspurs.com.