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Mar 07, 2012
Announcing the GMHA Festival of Eventing
Event riders tired of competing in stifling August temperatures on rock-hard ground might consider putting GMHA’s Festival of Eventing on their summer calendar. Plans for the inaugural three-competition Festival, to be held in South Woodstock, Vermont August 6-12 (opening date June 26), call for a Novice/Training long-format three-day Tuesday through Thursday, a Beginner Novice/Novice one-day horse trial on Friday, capped off by a two-day Beginner Novice through Intermediate horse trial over the weekend.
In addition to Eventing competition, a focus of Festival planning is to provide a fantastic, Vermont-themed competitor and spectator experience. Organizers have lined-up multiple fun activities and welcome amenities for the week including competitor parties, a trade fair featuring Vermont products as well as nationally-known equestrian and other vendors, and family entertainment. South Woodstock and the surrounding area also offer an incredible variety of things to do from sports (golfing, biking, hiking, climbing and of course, riding) to just relaxing, as well as terrific shopping and dining.
A partial list of Festival sponsors includes: Triple Crown Nutrition, Horseware Ireland, Alltech, Strafford Saddlery, Mountain Horse, Ariat and Lucky’s Trailers. Additional
sponsorship opportunities are available; e-mail Molly Hutchins at [email protected] for more information.
The courses at GMHA have undergone extensive renovation over the past year in anticipation of the Festival, with new jumps and complexes at all levels as well as improved footing and drainage throughout the 65-acre property. Course designer Tremaine Cooper, assisted by Janine McClain, has created up-to-level, educational tracts that fully utilize GMHA’s fields, hills and water crossings.
Festival organizers hope to attract riders from outside New England, including some U.S. Team members and Olympic hopefuls who might welcome cooler temperatures and softer footing. The re-introduction of the Intermediate level, coupled with a long-format three-day as well as one-day and two-day horse trials, $10,000 in prize money, a slate of entertainment options and proximity to complimentary venues such as Millbrook provide plenty of incentive for competitors to plan on attending the Festival. The same features will hopefully entice spectators to GMHA to learn more about the sport of Eventing and to have a fun, summer holiday.
Jan 06, 2025
Instructors
Meet the Faculty for the 2025 ECP Symposium, Hosted by Galway Downs
The 2025 USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium, Hosted by Galway Downs is just one week away, and the USEA is proud to present the list of ECP Faculty that will be on site leading this three-day, immersive educational experience. On Jan. 14-16, eventing enthusiasts will convene in Temecula, California, to learn how coaches can hone their evaluation skills at all levels by identifying the correct, incremental steps of progression needed for each individual horse and rider combination. Keep reading to meet the faculty that will help facilitate these discussions and exercises.
Jan 05, 2025
Thank You to Those Involved in the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp!
The third annual USEA Emerging Athletes U21 program (EA21) National Camp concluded on Saturday after a week filled with education and enjoyment. Under the guidance of EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor, 12 selected athletes participated in this year's camp, held at Sweet Dixie South in Reddick, Florida.
Jan 04, 2025
Emerging Athletes U21
Proof of Concept Confirmed On Final Day of the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp
From the classroom lecture to the riding sessions, the focus on the final day brought those final finishing touches to bear on the athletes of the 2024-2025 Emerging Athletes Under 21 (EA21) National Camp held at Sweet Dixie South.
Jan 03, 2025
Emerging Athletes U21
Details, Details, Details on Day 4 of the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp
“There are 385 million people in the U.S., and only 3.8 million have horses,” David O’Connor said as he began the classroom session on day 4 of the Emerging Athletes Under 21 (EA21) National Camp. “Not all of them are into eventing.”
