Fulton, MO: Gayle Lampe's Adult Riding Camp at William Woods University

Gayle Lampe & WC Born to Win

If Louisville, Kentucky is Mecca for Saddle horses. Fulton, Missouri is Medina. The pilgrimage to Callaway Hills county includes several nationally renowned breeding farms and trainers, a training center for future horse trainers and the Saddle horse museum in Mexico, MO. The list of barns to visit is incredible  which includes the famed Callaway Hills Stables (http://ruralmissouri.coop/06pages/06MayCallawayHills.html).

William Woods University should hold a special place in most equine enthusiasts' hearts. The small liberal arts college boasts one of the most comprehensive training programs in North America for future horsemen and horsewomen. The curriculum includes specialization in either western, saddle seat, hunt seat or dressage and pushes the students to pursue opportunities to train and ride horses at an international level. Most of all the university is responsible for graduating some of the most conscientious professionals I've met in the horse industry ranging from bloodstock agents in Kentucky to riding instructors and trainers at top show barns.

Gayle Lampe hosts her adult riding camps while the regular William Woods' student body is on break. I have attended the clinic three times in twice in December and once in the summer but there is also a clinic held in March. Gayle fills the campers days with two to three group lessons, training barn visits and lectures. The day typically concludes with fabulous dinners hosted by Gayle's friends from the surrounding area. The group lessons involve saddle seat riding on a variety of breeds including Quarter Horses (yes, quarter horses for those thigh squelching equitation lessons!), Arabians, National Show Horses, Morgans, Saddlebreds and a Friesian. The horses are competitive in a variety of english divisions. The program at William Woods is fortunate to receive donations of several talented five-gaited horses which provides a great opportunity to practice the slow-gait and rack. Importantly, Gayle shares her international judging experience by emphasizing the judge's perspective.

Here are a couple of videos from the most recent clinic:
Best of: http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=e65e3fcf06036be2&sid=0AbMmjJw5ZNmLFVA

My lesson with Sid:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=6f5a36b0a6d8ca4a&sid=0AbMmjJw5ZNmLFEA

For a bio on Gayle: http://test.williamwoods.edu/academics/facultybios/facultybio.asp?ID=61

For more information on the clinics contact Gayle Lampe at glampe@williamwoods.edu