Ten years ago, Sandy Johnson, owner of Johnson & Johnson Show Horses, located in Sarasota, Florida, started the J&J Summer Youth Rodeo Camp to accomplish her dream of helping local young equestrians hone their horsemanship skills.
The week-long camp, which runs from Monday, June 29, 2020 to Friday, July 4, 2020, features events including barrel racing, pole bending, cattle sorting, roping, keyhole, jumping, goat tying and a variety of “classic” camp activities including egg and spoon and stake races. The summer camp ends with a relay race including the week’s events, followed by the legendary “Saddle Race” where every camper plays a role. After the saddle race event, the scores for the weekly events are compiled and added to the final relay and saddle race scores, and the fastest team wins.
“This camp is made possible by an awesome group of parents and kids with a passion for rodeo, horsemanship, teamwork and improving skills,” said Sandy Johnson, founder of Johnson and Johnson Show Horses & JJ Summer Youth Rodeo Camp. “This camp is something I dreamed up and I’m so proud to see new and returning campers each year. Many of our campers return to help after they age out of the program, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our campers progress in their confidence and ability to communicate with their horses throughout the week and beyond.”
Campers are not required but encouraged to have an understanding of rodeo, and understand the basics of working with horses and teammates. The athletes range in age from five to 18, with a variety of differing skill levels. The cost for the camp, hosted daily during the week from 9am to 2pm, is $250 per participant.
On the final day of the camp, Johnson hosts an awards ceremony for the campers where the young athletes and their horses are awarded for their hard work and dedication. This year, as an added surprise in celebration of the camp’s ten year anniversary, the campers plan to thank Johnson and her team during the final events and ceremony. Campers will share testimonials and reasons they appreciate the camp experience and the event will be followed by a potluck meal, prepared by the families of campers. The awards ceremony, following the potluck lunch, is scheduled for 2:30pm on Friday, July 3, 2020.
Johnson, along with her daughter, Jamie Lee Johnson and right hand woman, Kris Anderson, operate the camp and plan the annual events. Throughout the year, Johnson trains and shows reined cow horses for many clients and teaches upper level competitors through the Johnson & Johnson Show Horses business. To learn more about the summer camp or future events, contact Sandy Johnson at 941.809.7464.
About Johnson and Johnson Show Horses
Located in Sarasota, Florida, Johnson & Johnson Show Horses was founded by Sandy Johnson to share the family’s love and appreciation for agriculture and rodeo lifestyle. Training beginners and advanced riders, for fun and competitive sports, Johnson and her team are proud to offer local riders the opportunity to grow their talent and relationship with their horses. To learn more about the J&J Summer Youth Rodeo Camp, or to find pricing or information on training and private lessons, contact Sandy Johnson at 941.809.7464.