Join the UK’s Leading Junior Dressage Camps for Young Riders

Our Spring One-Day Camp during half term was a fantastic success – packed with learning, laughter, and just the right amount of chocolate! Riders of all ages took part in a fun-filled day of test riding, classroom activities, and a lively Easter egg hunt that brought out everyone’s competitive spirit.

While this wasn’t a full camp like our junior dressage camps UK-wide, it still delivered the same high-quality experience in a condensed format. These shorter one day youth dressage training camps are perfect for young riders looking to improve quickly, make new friends, and stay motivated between major events.

We were lucky to have top-quality lessons from Theresa and Maddy, who brought both expertise and warmth to every session. As always, they focused on building rider confidence, technical awareness, and positive communication.

Whether it was a rider’s first time joining us or they were already regulars at our Unicorn Equestrian Centre events, it was wonderful to see everyone encouraging one another and growing together.

A brilliant day all round – thank you to everyone who made it so special!

Lorna & Miche xx

There’s simply no better way to canter into the festive season than with our Christmas Camp at the Unicorn Equestrian Centre! This joyful weekend was packed with family, friends, and so much laughter that it was easy to forget just how much learning actually took place.

Our riders, aged 8 to 18, covered everything from Prelim to Advanced Medium. As with all our junior dressage camps UK, it wasn’t about age or level — it was about teamwork, support, and making memories. The camaraderie and encouragement throughout the group made it clear just how much our Under 21 Dressage “family” continues to grow.

Huge thanks to our amazing coaches, Maddy Frewin and Theresa Szostek, for delivering expert instruction. Riders had the chance to apply their learning during Saturday’s test-riding sessions, judged by Martyne Galland, who praised not only their performances but also their positivity and sportsmanship.

Our regular contributor, Sports Psychologist Moira Lafferty, added huge value once again. Her classroom sessions — and festive team-building — delivered the perfect blend of mindset work and merry mischief. From sleigh-building competitions to post-dinner creativity, this was one of our most engaging youth dressage training camps yet.

We were thrilled to welcome Father Christmas himself to camp, surprising riders with gifts and a hearty ho-ho-ho. Our thanks also go to Top Spec for providing nutritional support, weighing horses and answering questions from curious young equestrians.

As always, the final Christmas Quadrill was the ultimate highlight — showcasing creativity, coordination, and plenty of sparkle. One rider even turned up as an 8-year-old Santa delivering gifts to judges (we’re certain it wasn’t bribery… just festive cheer!).

Congratulations to Poppy Fletcher, this year’s winner of the Spirit of Camp Award, and thank you to Bates Saddles and Equiweigh for ensuring every rider took home something special — including our cherished Christmas bear.

Wishing all our members and families a magical holiday season.

Merry Christmas from us all,

Lorna & Miche xx

Fun, friendship, ponies, and just the right amount of dressage — that’s what our junior dressage camps UK are all about! Held at the wonderful Unicorn Equestrian Centre, our latest weekend was full of sunshine, smiles, and unforgettable moments for riders aged 8 to 18.

From 11-hand ponies to 17-hand horses, every rider — whether just beginning or building confidence — found a place to thrive. These youth dressage training camps are designed to develop skills while fostering connection and community among young equestrians.

Here’s how our campers described it in their own words:

“happy time, support, simply the best, magical, fabulous weekend, on a high!”

Saturday night brought Olympic-themed games and the now-iconic Moira-approved water fight, followed by delicious, made-from-scratch pizzas courtesy of JoJo’s Dough on the Go.

Every camp is made special by our amazing team:

• Maddy Frewin and Janet Horswill provided expert, personalised coaching
• Moira Lafferty led inspiring Sports Psychology sessions and activities
• Top Spec helped educate our riders about nutrition and weighed the horses
• Bates Saddles and EqiWeigh ensured every camper left with goodies and a smile

We're beyond grateful to our “home base” — the incredible Unicorn Equestrian Centre — for always welcoming us with open arms and making each camp so memorable.

The spirit of Under 21 Dressage UK lives in every camp: growth, friendship, encouragement, and a shared love of horses and dressage.

We’re already planning the next one, want to be part of it? 💛

Our first Under 21 Dressage UK camp of 2024 kicked off in the best possible way — with returning faces, new members, and an amazing atmosphere at our home, the Unicorn Equestrian Centre. Thanks to the venue, we were able to extend our usual One-Day Camp with an overnight stay, complete with pizzas, team games (no adults allowed!), and plenty of laughter.

These early-season youth dressage training camps give our riders a great start to the year, and this one set the tone perfectly.

The day began with ridden sessions led by Maddy Frewin and Theresa Szostek, while Miche guided our young riders through engaging classroom activities. The morning was full of lightbulb moments, and it was inspiring to see so many riders eager to grow.

During lunch, Maddy and Theresa presented a riding demo that was both entertaining and educational — with Theresa’s horse Alan stealing the spotlight as he danced his way into camp legend!

The afternoon featured test riding that showcased just how much work had gone in over the winter months. Each rider came down the centreline with confidence and heart, delivering genuinely uplifting performances that reminded us why we do what we do.

Of course, no junior dressage camp at Unicorn Equestrian Centre would be complete without some extra fun — and the sunny Treasure Hunt delivered just that. There were more laps of the centre than anyone anticipated (especially for the smallest ponies!), but the laughter and camaraderie made it all worthwhile.

We’re so grateful for every rider, parent, and team member who helped create this magical day. These early junior dressage camps truly highlight what makes our community special: joy, growth, and the unwavering support of friends who share a passion for horses.

Until Summer Camp… 💛

Lorna & Miche xx

Christmas Camp is proof that Under 21 Dressage UK is more than just a riding group — it’s a family. This festive edition of our junior dressage camps UK brought together new and returning members for a weekend filled with friendship, laughter, and incredible riding.

Held at our beloved Unicorn Equestrian Centre, this camp was a celebration of not only progress in the saddle, but also the spirit of community that defines our youth dressage training camps.

Riders benefited from inspiring coaching sessions led by Maddy Frewin and Lewis Carrier, whose support helped every participant push forward in their riding journey. The progress was clear in the test riding, with thanks to Mark Philpott for his thoughtful and encouraging judging.

Off the horse, we had practical and engaging “on foot” sessions with Moira Lafferty and Lucy Middlecote, equipping riders with useful knowledge to take forward. As always, Christmas Camp brought plenty of fun too — from team-building games and themed musical rides to a surprise visit from Santa himself.

We’re so grateful to every rider, parent, and member of the coaching and support team who contributed to making this Under 21 Dressage UK event unforgettable. From the training arena to the Christmas games, the warmth and support of our community continues to make every moment magical.

Merry Christmas from all of us!

Lorna & Miche xx

Summer Camp 2023 was an absolute blast — three unforgettable days packed with lessons, laughter, and plenty of progress at the beautiful Unicorn Equestrian Centre. As one of our flagship junior dressage camps UK, this event welcomed riders aged 7 to 17 for a whirlwind of activity, growth, and fun.

From test riding and workshops to team games and demonstrations, our young equestrians immersed themselves in the full youth dressage training camp experience.

Huge kudos to Maddy Frewin and Jackie Beaven, whose infectious energy lifted every session (and yes, there was some running around the arena involved!). Riders were able to immediately apply their training in test riding sessions judged by Martyne Galland and Abbie Newbury, who delivered generous and uplifting feedback.

Moira Lafferty continued to be a cornerstone of camp with her inspiring sports psychology sessions — a highlight for riders and parents alike. We also introduced an equine biology workshop led by Lucy Middlecote, who brilliantly tailored complex topics for our wide age range of campers.

A highlight of the weekend was a live riding demonstration featuring Zebbie, the young rising star owned by Maddy, alongside her seasoned GP horse Dexter, ridden by Sofia Games. It was a real show-stopper that sparked plenty of questions and inspiration.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Under 21s camp without epic team games. From creative challenges to Moira’s legendary “laugh-till-you-cry” competitions, both riders and parents threw themselves in with full spirit.

These three days were full of joy, growth, and lasting memories — everything a junior dressage camp at Unicorn Equestrian Centre should be. We can’t wait for the next adventure!

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces at our Easter One-Day Camp, held once again at the welcoming Unicorn Equestrian Centre. As one of our signature junior dressage camps UK, the day was packed with training, learning, laughter — and of course, a touch of Easter mischief!

We kicked off the day with ridden sessions led by Maddy Frewin and Abbie Newbury, followed by the launch of our brand-new Training Award Scheme during classroom time — a fresh initiative to help young riders set and achieve personal dressage goals as part of their youth dressage training camp journey.

In the afternoon, riders delivered beautifully presented tests in front of our judge, Mark Philpott, who provided thoughtful and supportive feedback.

Just in time for the sunshine, we unleashed the mandatory Easter Egg Hunt! Three teams sprinted around the grounds solving cryptic clues — with the boys gallantly claiming they "let the girls win" by finishing ten minutes behind 😄. As always, the laughter was loud, and the competitive spirit was alive and well!

We were so pleased to welcome new members to the group, and just as proud of our returning riders who proved their creativity and resilience — especially when last-minute pony swaps were needed! This is what Under 21 Dressage UK is all about: adaptability, encouragement, and a shared love of horses and learning.

Huge thanks to our coaches Maddy & Abbie, and to our fabulous judge Mark Philpott for helping us create another memorable camp.

Until next time! 💛

Lorna & Miche xx