Anna Loschiavo and Prince Renan at Groton House Farm HT 2017. Photo by Abby Powell.
Groton House Farm in Hamilton, Massachusetts, owned by the Winthrop family, has been an eventing institution since the late ’50s, pre-dating even the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA, now USEA). It has loyally served the full spectrum of the eventing community, from young riders tackling their first event to international competitors.
We have nothing but eternal gratitude and well wishes to Ann Getchell, the organizing team, devoted volunteers and all those who made Groton House H.T. such a special one, as they announced yesterday that the USEA sanctioned event will be drawing to a close:
“Sadly, having had to cancel twice in the past two years due to the pandemic, and facing an uncertain (and in any case limited) future, we have concluded that the time has come for Groton House to call it a day.
“It is something we haven’t contemplated until fairly recently, but the pandemic has only hastened the inevitable. None of us is getting any younger, and nothing lasts forever.
“We have had a great run, thanks to all the people including volunteers, competitors, officials and farm and logistic support personnel who have made it happen for so long.
“The game may have changed over the years and we may have been old-fashioned, but we like to think we always did it right: the phases in the right order, courses that actually went across the country, and that glorious victory gallop at the end. We will miss it.
“Thanks, everybody, for your loyalty, your help, and your friendship.”
We are happy to hear, however, that the Summer and Fall Classics will continue to run. These unsanctioned three-phase events are held for Beginner Novice and Elementary riders and horses, as well as hosting Elementary through Preliminary dressage. You can learn more here.
Thank you, Groton House, for your past and continuing contributions to the sport of eventing in the U.S. .
Read more here.
