United States Eventing Association

Manton Foundation to Match all Donations to GMHA Land Acquisition

The Green Mountain Horse Association (GHMA) has announced that the Manton Foundation, a long-time supporter, has generously offered to match all donations to the GMHA Land Acquisition up to $500,000.

GMHA was founded in 1926 when group of riders wanted to promote the use of horses, provide facilities for horse shows and activities, and develop and maintain bridle trails in Vermont.

GMHA’s equestrian activities have continued to grow over the years, including a two-day 60-mile competitive trail ride, dressage shows, driving shows, and the annual USEA-recognized GMHA Horse Trials in South Woodstock, Vermont, which began in 1957.

GMHA’s facility includes barns, arenas, a combined driving course, and a cross-country course through Intermediate.

The hayfield and open land beyond have been used by GMHA with permission from its owners for many years for cross-country courses, driving marathons, and trail access. After nearly a year of discussions, the owner has offered to sell GMHA 35 acres, including the hayfield and open land beyond. The acreage also includes about 17 acres of woods on the hillside on the opposite side of Kedron Brook.

Besides preserving GMHA, the planned land acquisition will help protect the property from flooding. In 2023, four floods between July and December impacted the facility.

One of the ways to protect GMHA would be to control the amount of water coming onto the property from Kedron Brook. GMHA stakeholders believe this could be done by temporarily flooding the hayfield adjacent to GMHA to the south in the event of a major flash flood event, then allowing the water to disperse over the following days. This would protect not only GMHA's property but also their downstream neighbors in South Woodstock and beyond.

They have retained engineers who are working on a definitive plan to look into this idea, and GMHA has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the State of Vermont to advance the work and apply for permits.

It will increase the footprint of GMHA by over 60% and add potentially buildable land on the hillside out of the flood plain. It will also protect the open lands already in use and will give access to the hayfield which will help protect the rest of the property from future flood events.

GMHA’s goal is to raise enough funds by October.

To donate directly, click here.

For more information, please contact Bruce Perry or call (802) 457-1509.