Fourth of July Sprucelands style.

Our fourth of July was fabulous! What a fun day we had, starting with a red, white and blue breakfast pizza that looked like a huge American flag and was thick with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream! I thought I died and went to heaven. My apologies for not getting a picture. The kids had already devoured half of the delicacy before I could snap a photo.

Since the fourth was on Monday, we moved through regular programming until suppertime. Then we moved up to the dressage arena behind the barn for a big picnic, lots of fun with Fantastic Elastics and improvised silliness with horseless horse show shenanigans.

After the picnic, we gathered on the bleachers to watch our first drill team. It has become a tradition that the drill team makes a first appearance on the fourth of July. And I have to tell you they were wonderful. This time around Riding Staff, Counselors and CITs qualified, and they included a level four rider named Jenny who was thrilled to join in this dramatic presentation.

Somebody asked me once upon a time, what a drill team rider was like? What did they have to know? How did they learn to ride in drill team formations? And my answer. A drill team rider looks like Gabby and Lia. They are dedicated to quality riding, learning their skills over years of training and bringing those skills into a drill that starts on paper, is practiced first on our tennis courts and finalized in the riding arena.

There is a lot that goes into matching horses and riders. There is also a very necessary process that matches horses to horses. In other words, will a pair of horses move easily next to each other without kicking out or becoming a handful during the drill. Then there is a subtle coordination of shirts worn. Our drill teams always make their own shirt designs. They are generally different and unique from one performance to another.

This time around the girls were excited to add new patterns to their drill. I will say that the performance was intricate and lovely, ridden to music, and ended with the cheer "Sprucelands Drill Team!" You would have been impressed yourselves with watching these riders. I am always speechless after a drill team exhibition because I have taught many of these individual riders how to ride.

We journeyed from this inspirational drill performance to the Camp Lodge where all of us enjoyed hot fudge sundaes. Then we went outside for a bonfire, complete with red, white and blue glow sticks that we wore as bracelets and crowns. Under a clear sky with a white moon, we honored our country with patriotic songs. Spontaneously, Anna, Jeff and Dani harmonized perfectly the Star Spangled Banner.  I was blown away! Talk about talented individuals that are full of surprises!

So while you were enjoying the fourth at home, we celebrated a pleasant fourth at Sprucelands, happy with terrific friendships and a wonderful camp experience. And to give you something to look forward to...anyone coming to the horse show on Saturday - that starts around 10 a.m. - will have a chance to see our first drill team of the 2011 summer season. See you there!

Comments from you folks make me smile. Stop by and leave us one.