The great Brian O’Connor has kindly sent us a report from the Festival of Eventing at GMHA as the folks at GMHA celebrate their recovery from floods that destroyed the property last year. As always, thanks for writing this Brian and thank you for reading.
—-
GMHA last year after the flood
From Brian:
The GMHA phoenix rises…not from the ashes but from the flooded plain!! You cannot believe what has been done to the historical Green Mountain Horse Association facility since last year’s terrible hurricane and torrential floods. If you remember, nearly the entire facility was underwater or washed away with the week long rains (and feet of water…not inches but FEET of rain). The place looks fabulous and the newly improved rings, courses, and the stables are wonderful. Having said all this, now it is time to really tell you the facts…
In my 30+ years of announcing (and at least 10 of those here, at the “old” GMHA) I have never seen a rebuild and comeback as this place has gone through. The cross country courses are BEYOND terrific. Tremaine Cooper was hired to help with the re-build, along with a huge fundraising project from the board members and directors. You just cannot imagine the change. The track of the courses have been re-graded (no longer going up into the woods on unlevel ground) and thanks to a new sponsor, Birch Hill Farm, a newly cleared meadow and ½ mile addition has been added to the XC. The track of the course looks like the Rolex track–graded, newly seeded and flowing, both uphill and downhill. It is truly a major conversion and the course no longer runs up the mountain and down again just to make the distance. Janine McClain is a co-designer too, and she has spared no thought, energy, or detail in presenting her cross country courses…they were beautiful, they rode extremely well, and the riders ALL finished with smiles and a sense of accomplishment. Well done indeed!
The long format three day for Training and Novice was fully supported by seniors and juniors alike…including a pair of twin sisters, Katie (winner of JN) and Maddie Lichten (3rd JN), warmbloods, paints, thoroughbreds, Cnnemaras (can’t put those Bantry Bay’s down can you?), and a personal favorite, a “rescued” appaloosa named Massapequa May (ridden by Katherine Kane to 6th place in SN), who stormed over the XC and finished clean in stadium to tons of applause! It doesn’t get any better than this my friends. AND….we are only half way through the 6 scheduled days here for the Festival of Eventing…regular horse trials run from Friday until Sunday. 1 week, 3 events, 400 competitors–that is the motto of the week. The event director Molly and her staff have gone beyond the norm to put on one of the best events of the summer. No expense spared, nothing but happy, willing, and helpful staff and volunteers everywhere. Yes, it is that good.
I want to give a shout-out to Jessica Ebzery on her terrific paint, In Flight N Out of Sight, who, after unfortunately missing a jump on the XC, had as big a smile in the finish/cooling area as any other rider. She was so happy about her horse having one of the best rounds of the day, despite the error…can we frame that moment please?
So my friends at EN, get this one on your calendar for 2013. It will only get better and better. Now that the Olympics are gone and the Brits have finally shown the European mainland who is boss, come up north and check out GMHA. You will not be disappointed, I promise you.
Go eventing.
–Brian O’Connor, brother-in-law to the highest placed US rider in London, and brother to the NEW USA THREE DAY COACH!
