Blast from the Past - Hoofbeat Ridge

In searching for a specific photo, I came across an album that my oldest daughter (the family won't find this surprising!) assembled in 1993, the year my four children - Brigid Jennifer, Helena, Joe & Melanie - spent a week at Hoofbeat Ridge Camp in Mazomanie Wisconsin. Undoubtedly this was an unfulfilled childhood dream of mine that I lived outh through my children, though I don't think I knew it at the time. Despite some homesickness in the beginning, by the end of their stay, I believe all four children would have gladly stayed on for the rest of the summer!

Brigid J promptly put together a photo album upon her return - filled with photos and memories. She carefully wrote captions, and provided the names of her favorite horse, and the favorite horses of her siblings. She loved everything about the camp.

Helena recalls: "I fondly remember my week at Hoofbeat Ridge...I was so scared and homesick my first night, but by the end of the stay I didn't want to leave! It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to ride new horses, experience camaraderie with other horse lovers, learn new songs, and show off our new found skills at the end of the camp! Such wonderful memories!"

Joe said that he remembers the camp as having plenty of riding and learning about horses, but there was also much much more...lots of games and activities, campfires, and singing songs. One of his favorite games was making flour bombs (this was done under the guidance of the counselors!) by filling pieces of toilet tissue with flour...then having a great time tossing them at other campers.

Melanie recalls: "I remember knowing what a “hand” was and being very proud of that I also remember being the base of the caterpillar (a pyramid formation) and not knowing if I was going to be able to hold the person on my back long enough." The Hoofbeat Ridge memories lived on long after the children returned home. They taught me many songs which became family favorites.