Summer Pony Camps in Surrey 2026: Riding, Polo, Horsemanship and Fun at Minninnooka
- Kirstie Otamendi
- Jul 20
- 6 min read
Looking for a summer pony camp in Surrey where children can ride, learn about horses, make friends and spend meaningful time outdoors?
Minninnooka’s Summer Pony Camps return in 2026, offering full days of riding, polo, horse care, stable management, games and practical horsemanship at our friendly yard in Chobham, Surrey.
Our pony camps are designed for children aged eight and over, including current riders, children returning to riding and those with limited experience around horses. Activities are adapted to suit the ages, confidence and abilities of the children attending.
The aim is not simply to give children a ride. We want every child to leave with greater confidence, practical knowledge and a better understanding of how to care for, ride and work with horses.
Minninnooka Summer Pony Camp dates for 2026
Our summer camps run from Tuesday to Friday during the following weeks:
Tuesday 28–Friday 31 July 2026
Tuesday 18–Friday 21 August 2026
Tuesday 25–Friday 28 August 2026
Children can attend individual days, subject to availability.
Times: 8:30am–4:00pm
Price: £100 per child, per day
Location: Smarts Meadow, Pennypot Lane, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8DL
Lunch: Included
Age: 8 years and over
Experience: Riders and children with limited riding experience are welcome
Places are limited so that activities can be planned safely around the group.
What happens at a Minninnooka Pony Camp?
Every day is slightly different. The riding programme depends on the weather, the horses available and the experience and confidence of the children attending.
Activities may include:
English riding lessons
Flatwork and position exercises
Polo riding and stick skills
Pole work and jumping
Hacking and riding out
Riding without stirrups
Bareback exercises where suitable
Gymkhana-style games
Grooming and preparing ponies
Tacking up and untacking
Cleaning and caring for tack
Feeding and stable management
Learning about horse behaviour
Practical yard routines
Team challenges and educational activities
Not every activity will take place every day. We select activities that are appropriate for the group, ground conditions, weather and the welfare of our horses.
Children attending more than one day can experience different horses, exercises and aspects of yard life throughout the week.
More than just a riding lesson
A riding lesson is valuable, but spending a full day at the yard gives children a much broader experience.
They begin to understand how much happens before and after someone gets on a horse. They learn that riding is connected to horse care, preparation, patience, observation and responsibility.
During camp, children can develop:
Balance and coordination
Core strength and fitness
Riding confidence
Independence
Responsibility
Teamwork and communication
Empathy for animals
Problem-solving skills
Resilience
Practical horse-care knowledge
Horses provide immediate and honest feedback. Children learn to regulate their energy, communicate clearly and recognise how their actions affect another living being. These lessons can build genuine confidence that extends well beyond the yard.
Our wider Minninnooka coaching method is built around developing knowledgeable horsemen, confident riders and capable young people—not simply teaching children to complete an exercise.
Suitable for different riding interests
Minninnooka is both a polo and riding school, so children are exposed to a varied range of equestrian activities.
Some children arrive because they love jumping. Others want to try polo, improve their general riding or simply become more comfortable around ponies. They do not need to have chosen a particular discipline.
Good basic riding and horsemanship benefit every young equestrian. Balance, control, coordination and an understanding of the horse provide the foundations for polo, jumping, hacking and general riding.
Children who particularly enjoy polo can continue through our structured junior polo lessons in Surrey. Those wanting to improve their overall riding, flatwork or jumping can explore our English riding lessons.
Can beginners attend pony camp?
Children with limited riding experience are welcome, but parents should provide honest information when booking.
Please tell us about your child’s:
Age
Height and weight
Previous riding experience
Confidence around horses
Current riding ability
Medical conditions, allergies or additional needs
Any previous falls or experiences that may affect their confidence
This helps our coaching team plan the day, select an appropriate horse and decide which activities will provide a positive experience.
Complete beginners may sometimes benefit from an introductory lesson before attending a full camp day. Please contact Minninnooka if you are unsure which option is right for your child.
Horse welfare comes first
Our horses and ponies are at the centre of everything we do.
Every horse is carefully matched to its rider according to experience, size, confidence and the activity taking place. Workloads are managed carefully, and activities may be changed because of weather, ground conditions or the needs of an individual horse.
Children learn that horses are not pieces of sporting equipment. They require thoughtful care before, during and after riding. Grooming, tacking up, cooling horses down, checking water and keeping equipment clean are all valuable parts of camp.
This horse-first approach helps children become considerate, capable riders rather than passengers who only arrive for the riding.
Building confident and independent young riders
Confidence does not come from asking a child to go faster before they are ready. It develops through appropriate challenges, repetition and positive experiences.
At Minninnooka, children are encouraged to:
Ask questions
Try new activities
Learn from mistakes
Take responsibility
Help other members of the group
Become increasingly independent
Recognise when they need support
Our coaches adapt activities to the individual rather than expecting every child to progress in exactly the same way. We want children to feel supported, but we also give them opportunities to solve problems, take responsibility and discover what they can do for themselves.
A pathway into Minninnooka Pony Club
Pony Camp can be an excellent introduction to our wider equestrian community.
Minninnooka is an official Pony Club Centre, allowing children who do not own a pony to participate in Pony Club learning and activities. Opportunities can include riding, polo, stable management, badge training, rallies, team activities and competitions.
Children who want to continue after camp can learn more about the Minninnooka Pony Club Centre.
More experienced and committed young riders may eventually progress into our structured training programmes, including the Minninnooka Junior Polo Development Squads.
There is no expectation that every child must compete. Some attend because they enjoy horses and the community, while others want to work towards teams, tournaments or a longer-term equestrian pathway.
What should children bring?
Children should bring:
A correctly fitted riding hat, if they own one
Riding boots or appropriate footwear
Jodhpurs or comfortable riding trousers
A refillable water bottle
Sun cream
A waterproof coat
Warm layers if required
A change of clothes
Any required medication
Personal snacks if needed
Please label personal belongings clearly.
Do not worry if your child does not own a complete set of riding equipment. Hats and some equipment may be available to borrow by prior arrangement. Please contact us before camp so we can confirm what is available.
Minninnooka clothing and team merchandise can also be found through our Black Hound Sports merchandise page, although branded clothing is not required for camp.
Food, allergies and additional needs
Lunch is included in the camp price. Parents must inform us in advance about:
Food allergies
Dietary requirements
Medical conditions
Medication
Additional learning needs
Anxiety or confidence concerns
Anything else that could affect the child’s day
We want children to have a positive and inclusive experience, and good communication helps us put the right support in place.
Why choose a summer pony camp at Minninnooka?
Families choose Minninnooka because our camps combine:
Riding and polo activities
Practical horsemanship
Experienced coaching
Suitable, carefully matched horses
A supportive community
Structured rider development
Opportunities for riders and children with limited experience
Clear routes into lessons, Pony Club and development squads
A strong emphasis on confidence, responsibility and horse welfare
Minninnooka is based in Chobham and is convenient for families looking for children’s pony camps near Woking, Windlesham, Sunningdale, Ascot, Virginia Water, Chertsey, Guildford and the surrounding Surrey area.
Book a Summer Pony Camp in Surrey
Summer Pony Camp places are available for:
28–31 July 2026
18–21 August 2026
25–28 August 2026
Individual days cost £100 per child, including lunch.
If you are unsure whether camp is suitable for your child, please contact our team, email polo@minninnooka.co.uk or call 07557 343355.
Come and spend the summer riding, learning, making friends and discovering everything that life with horses can offer.
Comments