By Tyler Maheu, Staff Sportswriter
Next Saturday, August 1, the Green Mountain Horse Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a weekend full of events.
According to GMHA trail manager Mickey Perry, the celebration is not only for horseback riders, but the community as a whole. “The celebration has been crafted for the whole community, as well as riders past and present, to share stories and the magic of GMHA,” she said. “But also, to acknowledge not only GMHA as an organization, but the landowners and neighbors who generously support and allow our members the ability to enjoy the beauty of Vermont’s landscape on their property — a rarity and extraordinary.”
GMHA provides riders with a facility that serves several different equestrian disciplines, including breed, dressage, driving, eventing, hunter/jumper, and trail (both competitive and pleasure). Perry said the association was founded 100 years ago with a simple mission, “to preserve and celebrate the bond between horse and rider.”
Over the years, GMHA has been a hub for the region’s equestrian community, and it has hosted many large events, including a 100-mile competitive trail ride, which will have its 90th running on Sept. 4.
The Aug. 1 anniversary event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. at the GMHA grounds in South Woodstock. Attendees will be able to enjoy free food from the Squeals on Wheels BBQ food truck. Throughout the afternoon, there will be live music, family-friendly games, and a Hobby Horse Show. According to Perry, the event will be for the region’s “two-legged guests.” Attendees are asked not to bring dogs.
The fun will not stop there, however. From 5-8 p.m., riders will enjoy the Midsummer Twilight ride, which will offer an opportunity to take in the beauty of rural Vermont during the evening’s golden hours.
On Sunday, Aug. 2, equestrians will take part in either a pleasure ride, recreational drive, or an endurance clinic. According to Perry, the endurance clinic has taken inspiration from the recent Vermont 100 endurance ride and is an educational opportunity.
“It’s for riders to learn through a clinic led by the American Endurance Riding Conference guidelines, how to prepare both horse and rider for an endurance ride from the ground up,” she said. Clinicians at the event will include sanctioned endurance ride officials (judges, veterinarians and experienced 100-mile riders). “Following a roundtable discussion, a hands-on vet-inspection/presentation will take place, then riders will take to the trail for a mock ride and final vet inspection with a debrief back on the grounds,” she explained.
The endurance clinic will also feature a lesson on the history and legacy of GMHA’s 100-mile ride. Registration for these Sunday events closed on July 22.
However, guests can still RSVP for the Saturday, Aug. 1 GMHA Community Centennial BBQ & Celebration at https://gmhainc.org..
