Camelot’s facility, located on 14.25 acres in the Pinnacle Peak area of North Scottsdale, offers a serene setting for children and adults with disabilities who want to expand their horizons through the magic of horses. The native desert vegetation and abundant wildlife add to the special feeling that fills you when you enter the gates of Camelot.
Covered Arena
Through the generous support of our benefactors, we are fortunate to have a 100′ x 200′ covered riding arena with sand footing.
The arena provides ample space for safe lessons and also serves as a turn-out area for our horses when lessons are not in progress.
The cover, made possible by a grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Trust of Amarillo, Texas, provides important protection from the weather, allowing our horses and people to work in comfort during lessons.
Dressage Arena
In addition to our large covered arena, we have a 20 x 40 meter standard dressage arena that was provided by generous supporters. The borders of the arena are marked with lovely low walls of river rock that were donated and installed as part of an Eagle Scout project in 2015. For easy of access, we have a mounting ramp next to the dressage arena.
Property Trails
Not all of Camelot’s mounted lessons take place within the confines of the arena. As our students develop stability and confidence in the saddle, they can explore our trails.
In addition to a perimeter trail, we have two washes—one is trimmed and maintained to accommodate a rider, header, and side-walker, while the other is narrower and suitable for students who have independent control of their mounts. Both give students access to the natural beauty of the Sonoran dessert.
Mounting Ramps
Our mounting ramps are pathways to independence for our riders. Mounting can be a vulnerable moment, and a smooth and fluid transition is our goal. This requires our horses to be patient and calm, our riders to be brave and determined, and our staff and volunteers to be vigilant and professional.
It all comes together here, at the mounting ramp, where the rider leaves mechanical assistance behind, and becomes simply a rider—equal in stature to all others and at one with the horse. We have mounting ramps adjacent to the covered arena and the outdoor dressage arena.
SureHands Lift
In March 2013, Camelot received an amazing gift from the Grainger Foundation: a SureHands lift that allows our wheelchair-using students to mount easily and safely. Students are generally transferred via the lift from a wheelchair on the mounting ramp to the horse’s back, and after the lesson can be transferred back to the ramp, or directly to a wheelchair on the ground. The increase in safety for students and staff is priceless.
Barn
Camelot’s barn is both a barrier-free, wheelchair-accessible teaching center and a home to our horses. It offers a safe environment where we encourage independence in our students. The barn has 8 stalls with runs, a mounting ramp, a tack room, a workshop, a feed room, and a covered washing/grooming area. The barn was fully renovated in 2018 thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Our barn is also home to the “Chicken Hilton”, which gives our students the opportunity to observe and handle various species of birds.
Tack Room
Our tack room holds a variety of saddles that can be used on different horses, but each horse has his or her own bridle. We also haveASTM-certified safety helmets in various sizes for the students, as well as girths, saddle pads, sheepskin bareback pads, and vaulting equipment.
All of Camelot’s equipment is well maintained by our students and volunteers and organized for ease of use by those with physical challenges. Braille signage aids our students with visual impairment.
Educational Center
At Camelot, our lessons take place every week. If the weather isn’t suitable for riding, we move our lessons indoors.
Our educational center contains a large multi-purpose room, a library, a kitchen, two wheelchair accessible bathrooms (one with an accessible shower), and two offices. Much of what is experienced on horseback or on the trails is explored and discussed in the comfortable environment of our educational center.
Labyrinth
Camelot is proud to offer students, families, volunteers, and guests the opportunity to enjoy the peace and harmony our 85′ labyrinth can bring. Located just west of our covered arena, Camelot’s labyrinth is completely wheelchair-accessible and is an amazing gift to our ranch.
The labyrinth was donated by a generous Camelot supporter who wishes to remain anonymous. Camelot’s family of students, volunteers, staff, and horses participated in the creation of this wonderful addition to our facility.
Enchanted Garden
Camelot’s Enchanted Garden contains two beautiful wheelchair-accessible raised bed gardens, a tumbling composter, and a potter’s bench for our students and volunteers to enjoy. The garden was completely built with recycled materials and is designed to last for generations of Camelot Dragon Slayers!
The Enchanted Garden exists because team “Growing Greatness” of Scottsdale Leadership Class XXV chose Camelot to benefit from their group’s hard work and dedication. Three cheers to Scottsdale Leadership Class XXV!