QU'APPELLE - New Hope Ranch located by Qu’Appelle recently concluded a successful weeklong kids camp, providing an enriching experience for local youth.
DeeAnna Lyke was a longtime resident of the Stoughton area and is a well-known and respected horsewoman who was one of the founders of the Stoughton New Hope Horse Club.
A few years ago, she purchased a farm near Qu’Appelle and has offered many programs to horse enthusiasts including a kids camp during the summer.
The ranch is nestled in a scenic rural setting, and it opened its doors to children aged 8-13 for a week of adventure, learning and personal growth.
Held from July 29-August 2, eight kids came out every day to learn everything about horses and what the caring process is all about.
Krystle Zoer from Stoughton was one of the volunteers who took the time to help Lyke with this adventure.
For Zoer, this was an opportunity to see her pony daily and help with meals, watering, crafts, and anything else Lyke needed her to do.
Throughout the week children engaged in a variety of activities designed to foster team work, build confidence with a horse, and connect with nature and horses.
If the kid had their own horse, it was taken to the camp daily as others used a horse from the New Hope Ranch.
Each day it was required that they check and clean their tack that was to be used that day. They also were required to check their horses. Each morning the horses were brushed ensuring there was no mud where the saddle sat, and where the front and back cinch was placed. Their mane and tails were also brushed to take out burrs or straw that may have gotten tangled. Each horse needed their feet cleaned out for any stones or mud that have gotten caked inside the foot. All these things ensure a comfortable ride for the horse.
It is also important on knowing how to tie a horse, with a quick release in case of any issues.
With it being an extremely hot week, at the end of the day all horses received a nice cooling bath.
During the week they learned the proper way to saddle and bridle their horse, but it was not all work, they went on trial rides through the lush property of Lykes ranch, where she has plenty of places to ride through water and trees.
This is all a valuable experience for riders knowing how to manage a horse that is water shy or one that does not like going through the branches.
Each day Zoer prepared lunch for the team and on some days a craft was done and led by Denny Moodie, another volunteer on the ranch.
The last day of camp the whole team went for a hike around the two quarter sections that Lyke owns. The kids then set up a trail course for them to practice on, as the next day was a fun horse show.
Saturday all the riders returned for a fun horse show to show off what they had learned over the week. Each and every one of them went home with several ribbons and even had a chance to water down the judge at the end.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Zoer. She plans to go next year to help again, as she said it was a wonderful experience.
New Hope Ranch offers many programs for those who love horses and will also have a team in the Cross National Cup coming up at the end of the month in Moose Jaw.
