Hi everyone. As I am sure everyone is aware most summer camps will not be running this summer. Camps are part of a huge, interwoven community, and one large camp’s closure can affect a dozen related businesses. One such business under huge financial strain right now is the business of supplying horses to summer camps. They spend the entire off-season maintaining the horses (getting feet trimmed, worming, vaccines, emergency vet appointments, dentistry, and chiropractor), and none of it is cheap. I have started a fund to help support the person who my camp gets their horses from. If you are interested in sponsoring a part or full board for an individual horse, please put it in the comments with your donation. Attached are the horses we are trying to sponsor. Sponsoring a horse will guarantee that they will be returning for the summer 2021 season. The only caveat is that if a horse passes away due to unforeseen circumstances, your donation will be used to fund a different horse of your choice. I will update each post for each horse if they have been fully sponsored. The money will be going directly to the owner of the horses

Action
Action, named in honour of West Side Story, he has been at camp for one summer (2019). He is named Action, for he is very expressive with his face. Easy Action ! Action is a staff favourite. He loves to do big trails. 


Alfalfa
Alfalfa has been a French Woods favourite since his first summer in 2011. Former horseback counsellor, Jane named him Alfalfa after “The Little Rascals.” He is the real life Bart Simpson! Alfalfa is a big foodie, he loves to eat pop tarts from the camp store! Also, he is the former head of horseback, Jacko’s favourite horse. He has one of the smoothest canters, and is very good for teaching intermediate campers how to canter for the first time. He is smart and he is sassy.


Auzzie
Auzzie is the co-alpha horse. He has been at camp since 2006. Auzzie is a hot and fiery bay horse. Over the years, he has become a staff favorite. He goes to camp every summer with his brother, Dude. His favorite thing to do is go on trail rides out in the meadow plane. His second favorite thing is to participate in jumping lessons. In his prime Auzzie has taught several advanced campers how to reach new heights in jumping. Really, Auzzie is actually a big mush and loves to give cuddles too.


Baloo
Baloo is an old favourite, he has been at French Woods since 2011. Baloo was named after former head of horseback, Lee. Many staff remember him from his first summer for when he was a staff only English horse. Eventually he switched over to the western discipline, and ever since he has been a camper favourite. Baloo loves to teach campers how to master their sitting trot. Baloo’s best friend is Mango...but it could be you, if you decided to sponsor him ;) 


Boston
One of the all time legends from French Woods. Boston has been at camp since 2011. He is approximately 22 years old. His favourite thing to do is teach campers how to canter and jump. He loves to go out on trail as well. Boston is one of the most well-rounded, smartest English horses we have at camp. Several offers have been made to purchase him, but if you consider sponsoring Boston, maybe  he can stay at French Woods forever !


Brumby
Brumby has been at French Woods since 2004. Brumby is also the co-alpha horse, along with Auzzie. Brumby was named by former horseback counsellor, Steph. Brumby has been a staff only favorite for years. He is really great out on trail. Over the years, he has been put through his paces, and is now mainly a beginner and intermediate horse. Brumby has grown up in our department, and through our loving care has gone from a skittish horse to one of our old reliables. What would we do without you, Brumbles?


Chief
Little Chief the appaloosa has been at French Woods since 2017. What Chief lacks in height he makes up in personality. Chief is a favourite for the younger beginner campers. He loves to go on trots in the outdoor arena with beginner campers. Chief is a little mischievous, he knows how to escape from his stall and when tied up on the hitching post. I don’t think sponsoring him will teach him to be any less sassy, but you could give it a try.


The Dude
The Dude has been at French Woods since 2011, he is Auzzie’s younger brother. The Dude is one of the smartest horses in the herd. His special skills include knowing how to untie himself from the hitching post, get out of the stall, and even open the gate to the paddock. He’s a real joker. His favorite human ever is assistant director and head counsellor Robson. The Dude loves to take big trails out through the woods and is great at teaching intermediate campers how to canter for the first time. I bet if you sponsored him, you could make him love you even more than Robson.


Forrest
Forrest came to French Woods in the middle of the summer in 2010. With the help of Phoebe training hin, over the years, Forrest has risen to the occasionForrest is your typical start stop push button camp pony. He loves to teach campers how to canter and jump. Forrest is a staple of our program, if you sponsor him, you will love him as much as we do.


Hamilton
Hamilton, also known as A-Dot-Horse, has been at French Woods since 2016. Cleverly named after Hamilton the musical, he’s a camper favourite. Hamilton loves to participate in beginner and intermediate Western lessons. Hamilton can be tricky to catch from the field, but once you can catch him, he’s excellent to ride. Do not throw away your shot to sponsor Hamilton.


Mango
Mango has been coming to French Woods since 2018. Mango is cross trained, so he teaches some campers how to ride English and other riders how to ride Western. Mango’s best friend is Baloo, but Baloo won’t get jealous if you sponsor his friend.


Morty
Morty came to French Woods last summer (2019). Morty was named by Cat and trained by Sierra. Morty is an all around great lesson pony. He taught so many campers of all levels English riding lessons. Morty may be little, but he makes huge contributions to the riding program at French Woods. Please consider sponsoring Morty!


Murray
A camper favourite at French Woods. Murray has been attending French Woods since 2014. Murray is named by former general counsellor, Fiona. Murray is your all around amazing lesson pony. Murray does it all: his favourite thing to do is get groomed and loved on by humans in horse care. He also loves to teach beginners how to ride! He can often be seen following Lucy around the barn or sun bathing with front feet on his favorite rock in the paddock. Murray loves you. Maybe not as much as Lucy, but he loves you. 


Oslo
Oslo has been coming to French Woods since 2013. Oslo is current head of horseback Dylan’s favourite horse. Oslo is an amazing addition to the advanced English program offered at French Woods. Oslo has one of the biggest jumps out of all the horses in the herd. Oslo has some breathing issues, so he requires special medication over the course of the winter, and could really use your help.


Paul Revere
We’ve got the horse right here, the name is Paul Revere. Named by Cat, for the song from Guys and Dolls. Paul Revere had his first summer at French Woods last summer (2019). Paul Revere loves to go out on trail rides, especially with Naoimh.  He is still learning how to be a camp horse, so he is staff only. Please consider sponsoring Paul Revere.


Pegasus
Formerly called Blondie (now often referred to as “And Peggy”), Pegasus has been at French Woods since 2017. A favorite in horse care, Pegasus often can be seen with braids and fun colors in his mane and tail. Pegasus has been used to teach intermediate campers how to canter both for English and Western riding. Pegasus loves to go out on trail rides as well. Please consider sponsoring Pegasus.


Pedro
Pedro has been at camp since 2015. Pedro came late to camp last summer (2019). He was named by former head of horseback Rosie. Pedro is a fun addition to the riding program at French Woods Festival. Pedro has this amazing skill where he can grow a mustache. Please consider donating and sponsoring Pedro.


Pepper
A former college alum, Pepper started out at French Woods Sports and Arts in 2017. He then moved to Festival in 2018. Pepper loves to teach campers at the intermediate and advanced level. Pepper can be a little nervous, but warms up to people the more he gets to know them. He’s handsome, and boy does he know it. Please consider sponsoring Pepper!  


Pi
One of the best jumpers in the whole French Woods herd, Pi has been at camp since 2014. Pi loves to jump, that’s his main gig.  Pi has taught so many campers how to jump over the years. Please consider sponsoring Pi, we could not do without him!


Pluto
Pluto came to camp in 2011. Pluto is very mischievous. Until 2019, he was a Western pony who has since turned English. He can often be seen with his favorite human, Megan. He loves to pick on the other smaller ponies. He’s great for beginner riders! He’s got great charm, and not a little Napoleon Syndrome. Make friends with him


Polar
Polar originally came to camp in 2010. He then went on hiatus after 2014, and then returned to camp in 2018. Polar suffers from seedy toe. So he requires special supplements throughout the winter. Polar is a lovely horse, and needs your love.


Ranger
Ranger is one of our superstars. Ranger has been coming to camp since 2012, he was named by former head counsellor, Calum. He can do anything, though we keep him mostly on Intermediate and Beginner Western. He is sweet and cuddly (don’t feed him extra snacks), and his best friend is Rio. They can always be found together, especially if Rio or Cat has anything to say about it.


Rio
Cat’s favourite boy for many years. Rio has been coming to camp since 2012. Rio’s knees are not what they were, so he is kept mainly to easy trails and lessons, but he definitely puts in a full day’s work! He’s the king of horse care, and when someone comes up to the barn with a fear of horses they need to overcome, this is the horse we introduce them to. He’s also been known to give well-supervised bareback lessons, at which he is a champ. He’s the sweetest animal in the world, and wants everyone to be his friend. Rio could use some extra TLC, which we would love to give him. Will you be his friend too?


Riff
A Jet all the way, Riff is named for West Side Story. Riff joined the Festival family from another camp in 2019, and was instantly a hit. A strong, powerful Western horse, he enjoys both trails and lessons with the staff, with the meadow field being his favorite spot, which also happens to be the perfect spot to feel his perfectly smooth canter. Riff also enjoys a cheeky blueberry or two if you take him on the blueberry trail. 


Seuss
Seuss was a replacement horse who came in 2012. When Seuss arrived at camp, his name was Dent, it was quickly changed to Dr. Seuss, Seuss for short. Seuss loves to go out for light trails and beginner classes. Seuss used to be a beginner English horse, but last summer he was switched to beginner Western, to give him an easier summer. Won’t you help towards Seuss’s eventual retirement fund? There’s a Miami beach and a cheesecake waiting for him in a few years (I’m kidding about the cheesecake).


Simon
A college alumni. Simon started doing camp in 2018. He is originally from New Mexico. Simon enjoys doing staff only trails, and advanced English lessons. His favorite thing to do is kick the wall before he gets his breakfast and dinner. 


Spirit
Named after the movie. Spirit came to French Woods in 2016. He is beautiful and dainty, and likes to lead the trail. Spirit has a lovely Western lope, so he is great for teaching intermediate campers how to canter. 


Stark
Named after the Stark family from Game of Thrones and Tony Stark. Stark has been a part of the French Woods horseback department since 2017. Stark loves to teach intermediate English riders how to canter, and improve their skills. He has a really soft quiet trot, which is great for teaching campers how to practice their sitting trot. His gaits are beautifully smooth, and he is one of the most cuddly horses you will ever meet.


Timmy
Pronounced Timmmmmeeeeeehhhhhh. Timmy’s first summer at French Woods was 2019. Timmy loves to get groomed and teach beginner campers how to practice their sitting trot. Timmy loves cuddles and is a favorite on the mini trails.