Florida’s Best Horseback Riding Camp Near You
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding has been a primary focus of our program since its founding in 1952 as a ranch-focused summer camp.
Circle F believes horses create experiences that you can’t recreate in any other setting. Regardless of whether you are a novice or advanced rider, the Ranch will have a horse and activities for you.
Our central Florida location makes us the premier horseback riding camp close to everyone in the State of Florida.
Private group rental guests and outdoor education programs can expect traditional trail rides, while our overnight summer campers experience trail rides, horseback cookouts, ring work, gymkhana, horsemanship, roping, English jumping, and rodeos. Riding staff teach Western riding and English equestrian disciplines. Circle F Dude Ranch offers a fun horseback riding camp experience for kids and year-round guests.
HorseBack Riding Activites
Check Out a Day at Our Camp Barn
Friendly Camp Counselors
Wranglers
Our Horseback riding staff and wranglers are all trained and certified through the Certified Horseman Association. Many have years of equestrian experience and come to Circle F with their own horses. Most are part of college equestrian teams or are pursuing careers in the equestrian field.
Summer Camp Horseback Riding
The Right Horse
The Ranch has 50+ horses for all levels of riders.
Our summer campers participate in rider testing on the first days of each session to determine their riding level.
Year-round groups can look forward to a trail ride on a horse that is best suited to their abilities.
The Most Fun Overnight Equestrian Summer Camp Near You
Ring Work Builds Skills
Regardless of a child’s riding discipline, ring work is the opportunity to improve in their focused area. Boys and girls advance their groundwork, walking, trotting, loping/cantering, jumping, and other key equestrian skills during ring work days.
We have 3 different ring levels here at the Ranch. Our yellow ring is for beginner horseback riders, red is for intermediates, and blue is for advanced riders. As campers develop their horseback riding skill set, they progress through the rings.
Equestrian Summer Camp Activities
Horsemanship
As an equestrian summer camp, we believe understanding how to care for a horse is just as important as riding a horse. Regardless of their discipline, horsemanship activities teach campers these required skills: how to tack, feed, wash, and care for a horse.
Equestrian Camp Near Orlando Florida
Trail Rides For All Skill Levels
Trail rides offer an opportunity to explore the Ranch’s amazing 500-acre wilderness and a chance to put into practice many of the skills taught during ring work. Trail rides are designed to meet all levels of riding ability, from beginner to advanced. Beginner riders experience walking trails. Advanced riders utilize their skills to trot, gallop, etc. All trail rides are conducted under the careful supervision of our horse riding camp staff.
Private Group Walking Trails Policies
- Children must be six years old to participate in trail rides. Children six and under are able to go on a pony ride in the ring with parental supervision.
- Our horses have a 225 lb personal weight limit.
- Each rider will be assigned their own horse. Circle F staff and parents are not allowed to walk alongside a horse on the trail ride.
- Only one rider per horse.
Florida Equestrian Camp Fun
The Circle F Rodeo & Horse Show
The Ranch hosts two special Rodeo & Horse Show events during our summer camp horseback riding program’s first, second, and third sessions. The first Rodeo is a camp-only event where our campers get to showcase their riding skills to their campmates. In many cases, boys and girls have been practicing for their event the entire camp session. The show is a festive event with benches lined up as grandstands for viewing and snacks. It also serves the important purpose of providing participants a final chance to prepare for the public Rodeo on closing day.
We invite family members, guests, and the public to attend the world-famous Circle F Rodeo & Horse Show on closing day. Spectators enjoy all-camper flag and drill team performances, gymkhana events, English jumping, and other classic events like the egg and spoon, Coke, and cake races. Awards are presented to the top three places in each event.
The Best Equestrian Summer Camp Near You
Florida’s Favorite Horse Camp for Kids
Our well-rounded program, outstanding facilities, extensive private trails, and knowledgeable horseback riding staff make Circle F Dude Ranch an outstanding place for boys and girls to enjoy an authentic equestrian summer camp experience.