Summer Riding Experience

An extension of our renowned equestrian program

Since the early 1990s, Summer Riding Experience has helped girls develop into complete horsewomen while having fun. The Ethel Walker School’s Summer Riding Experience is an extension of the School’s renowned equestrian program. The camp consists of daily riding sessions complemented with activities that include horse care, working with farriers and veterinarians, equine science, and general equestrian knowledge.

For more information, contact Camp Director and Director of Community/External Riding and Co-Head IEA Coach Randi Booth at rbooth@ethelwalker.org or +1-860-408-4360.

2026 SRE Information


Join us this summer! Please find below registration links and other information for our 2026 Summer Riding Experience.

Program dates

June 22-26, 2026Day CampJoin Waitlist
July 5-12, 2026Residential CampJoin Waitlist
July 12-19, 2026Residential CampJoin Waitlist
July 19-25, 2026Residential CampJoin Waitlist
August 3-7, 2026Day CampOPEN

Pricing Information

Day Camp: $700 Per Session
Deposit of $325 due at registration, balance of $375 due by March 31, 2026

Residential Camp: $2,800 Per Session
Deposit of $1,000 due at registration, balance of $1,800 due by March 31, 2026

Waitlist Form

If your preferred session is full, please fill out the Waitlist Form here to note the session(s) in which you are interested. We will notify you if a spot becomes available.

Required health Forms

Families who have already paid a deposit must complete the Required Health Forms here prior to their camper’s arrival on campus this summer.

Meet the Camp Director

Randi Booth

Director of Community/External Riding and Co-Head IEA Coach

rbooth@ethelwalker.org860-408-4360

Randi grew up on a large horse farm and was raised by horse professionals. She has been showing since she was a small child, and for the past 25 years she has been a manager and trainer of children and adults at all levels in the hunter, jumper, equitation, and eventing disciplines.

Learn More

Facilities

Located on the 427-acre campus of The Ethel Walker School, the Frank O.H. Williams Barn and Henderson Riding Ring is a state-of-the-art equestrian training facility. It has capacity for up to 65 horses. There are work areas for vets and farriers, two heated wash stalls, and three tack rooms. The Henderson Riding Ring is a lighted indoor arena with dust-free footing and a viewing gallery. The outdoor riding ring is 175′ x 350′. There’s easy access to the winding trails of Walker’s Woods and extensive turnouts. It’s a remarkable facility with great energy.

One of the newest dorms on campus is the home of our residential Summer Riding Experience campers. The 23,000-sq. ft., 38-bed building includes central air, suite-style rooms, one bathroom every two rooms, cozy common spaces, larger community rooms, and a kitchen. Our athletic facility, the Centennial Center, includes an eight-lane pool and double gymnasium.

Instruction

Summer Riding Experience is staffed by the same team that runs the School’s equestrian program.

All adult staff members are seasoned competitors and trainers. You will be coached by the Walker’s team to become a more complete rider, whether you are getting on a horse for the first time or are already an accomplished rider. Additionally, girls from Walker’s equestrian team assist the Summer Riding Experience adult staff, giving you a glimpse into the spirit and camaraderie of the School’s riding program.

Meet Our Riding Staff

Residential Program

Our Residential Program is designed to foster lifelong friendships. The Summer Riding Experience residential program provides opportunities for girls to interact with each other, members of the Walker’s equestrian team and adult instructors in various activities throughout the day and into the evening creating a fun and comfortable equestrian-based experience.

  • Time: Check-in is on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.; check-out is the following Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Age: Typically, our residential campers are between 10 and 15 years old.
  • Range of Ability: The skills of our campers range from new riders to experienced jumpers.
  • Meals: Our dining hall serves healthy meals during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are a time for the entire summer community to come together, including girls participating in other summer programs.
  • Daily Activities: Meals with other campers and adult staff, multiple lessons a day, stable management, arts and crafts and other leisure activities, and a horse show each Friday.
  • Evening Activities: Movie nights, game nights, trips into the local community, and swimming.

  • Riding breeches
  • Belt
  • Riding socks
  • Appropriate riding boots and chaps (make sure boots have at least a 1″ heel)
  • Riding gloves
  • Approved riding helmet
  • Appropriate riding shirts (no tank tops please)

  • T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Jeans
  • Sneakers
  • Tank tops
  • Light jacket/sweatshirt
  • Rain jacket
  • Appropriate undergarments
  • Swimsuit
  • Pajamas
  • Sweatpants
  • Flip flops
  • Socks

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Sunscreen
  • Goggles
  • Bug repellant
  • Sunglasses
  • Appropriate bedding (twin x-long sheets, blanket/comforter, pillow, pillowcase)
  • Bath towel
  • Beach towel

Day Program

Day camp options are available for local girl and boy riders.

  • Time: Day session is from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with snack and water included.
  • Age: Typically, our day campers are between 8 and 15 years old.
  • Gender: Boys are welcome to attend any of our day camp sessions.
  • Range of Ability: The skills of our campers range from new riders to experienced jumpers.
  • Daily Activities: Lessons, stable management, arts and crafts, and a horse show each Friday.

  • Packed lunch daily
  • Optional snack
  • One white t-shirt (for craft)
  • ASTM-approved helmet
  • Riding pants
  • Heeled riding boots
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Change of clothes (including extra shoes)

Campers may also feel free to bring their own saddle and saddle pads, but must understand that if the saddle does not fit the horse properly it may not be used.

Q&A

Residential campers will only need cash for buying snacks at local stores for their dorm rooms and during community trips, which include the movies and miniature golf.

Yes, they can. Campers are not allowed to be on their phones while in the barn, however.

Yes. Roommates are typically assigned based on age, unless friends attend together.

Two to three.

Yes! Our Summer Riding Experience staff is present at all activities — lessons, meals, arts and crafts, etc.

Usually we can accommodate campers who would like to stay another week, provided there is space available. We will definitely try to make it work.

One of our staff members on duty, who is licensed to drive via the Connecticut public passenger endorsement, will chaperone trips to activities in the area.

Meet Our Horses

Kessandra

Kessandra is a 2004 Arabian standing at 14.3 hands. She did dressage before she came to Walker’s and since then has learned how to jump. She is a great ride…

Meet all Horses