Camp coordinator David Cameron of Merriwa said this was the seventh junior stock horse camp held in Merriwa.

“The camp provides instruction to children in the fundamentals of       competing. 

“We emphasise safety and give children the opportunity to have a go at a variety of disciplines centred around the Australian Stock Horse,” he said. 

The riders were divided into four groups depending on age and experience with all riders receiving instruction in horsemanship, campdrafting, dressage, time trials, polocrosse, working patterns and flags.

ASH Hunter Branch president Peter Cutler of Scone said this was the only junior stock horse camp held annually in the Upper Hunter.

“The children get so much out of it and we are very happy to support it.

“Riders get a taste of different events and can take what they have learned back into their own disciplines,” he said.  

Cameron thanked instructors Bruce Withers and Bruce Moxey of Singleton, Paul Spears of Tarcutta, Christine Brooker of Rouchel, Chris Hayes of Muswellbrook and Mark Whale of Merriwa for their instruction during the camp. 

Riders from across the Upper Hunter as well as a few ‘ring ins’ from Coolah, Nundle and Newcastle were treated to camp oven ‘cuisine’ from Tac Towns, Scone as well as delicious lunches, dinners and dessert from camp cook and co-coordinator of the event, Maria Cameron.