The red outline denote the purchasable land. Photo via GMHA.
Do you remember how the number of event cancellations due to extreme weather last season really had the eventing community talking about about how to future-proof events for the changing climate? Well, the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) of South Woodstock, Vermont have found themselves a real solution, so it’s time for all of us looking to help secure the future of equestrian sport to put our money where our mouths are.
New Englanders and beyond might recognize the map above, with its characteristic winding brook running the length of the property, as the beautiful GMHA property. That brook, Kedron Brook, is both one of the most beautiful and yet dangerous parts of the property. The brook offers numerous water crossings during the cross country phase as well as a natural cool down spot for equine athletes. You’d be hard-pressed not to find a rider cooling down their horse’s legs in the brook at any given time during an event. But the brook is prone to flash flooding during major rainstorms, and GMHA endured multiple devastating flooding events last summer.
Following the events of last summer, GMHA entered into discussions with neighboring Birch Hill Farm who have so generously allowed GMHA to use their hayfields for a portion of the cross county course for many years. Birch Hill Farm and GMHA have reached an agreement for GMHA to purchase the land, which includes hayfields, open meadow, and wooded areas. Not only would this purchase preserve precious open space, but it would also allow GMHA to mitigate future flood damage to the arenas and structures at the northeastern end of the property in addition to neighboring properties downstream.
How so? By temporarily flooding the hayfield in the event of another major flash flood, the amount of water overflowing from Kedron Brook and therefore the damage seen during the flood events last summer can be significantly reduced or perhaps eliminated. GMHA is already working with a team of engineers on how to accomplish this and have secured a $100,000 grant towards this effort from the State of Vermont. They just need to own the available open space in order to be able to flood it.
That’s where you, fellow eventers (and equestrians from all other disciplines, really — GMHA also hosts hunter jumper, dressage, driving, trail, and endurance events), come in. GMHA has launched its centennial campaign and at is cornerstone is this purchase of this land, which would help ensure GMHA’s sustainability. Learn more and donate to GMHA’s centennial campaign here.
U.S. Weekend Action
Arrowhead H.T. (Billings, MT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Mile High Horse Ranch H.T. (Parker, CO) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Summer Coconino HT and Western Underground, Inc. TR,N,BN 3 Day Event (Flagstaff, AZ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
The Maryland International + Horse Trials (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
UK International Events
Aston-le-Walls International (2) (Northamptonshire) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
European International Events
World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen (Germany) [Website] [Program – All Disciplines] [Program – Eventing] [Entries – All Disciplines] [Entries – Eventing] [US Eventing Team] [British Eventing Team] [Live Stream] [Results – All Disciplines] [Results – Eventing] [EN’s Coverage]
Links to Start Your Weekend:
So, You Want To Get Your First Job In The Horse World?
Looking Back At The Last Paris Olympics
Olympic Games and the French connection By Louise Parkes
UK Study Sheds New Light on Rider Falls
Eleven Tips To Prevent Dehydration In Horses This Summer
Sponsor Corner: Allison Mathy is looking stunning in her Equipe Saddle from World Equestrian Brands! Equipe Saddles enhances your ride, connecting you to the horse through revolutionary design and material innovation. Shop now.
Morning Viewing: This video is in German, but event if you don’t sprechen Deutsch you can still get a look at today’s SAP Cup course!
