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The Green Mountain Horse
Association is home to many different types of equine activities.
English or Western, Hunters or Dressage, Pleasure or Competitive,
and Riding or Driving - all are welcome. Below is a short
introduction to just a few of the disciplines that we offer.
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Dressage
Rarely
in the world of sport are athletes called upon to muster
the combination of strength and artistry demanded by
dressage. Requiring the power and precision of
gymnastics, and the grace and subtlety of ballet, dressage
challenges mental preparation as well as physical
prowess. The word "dressage" . is
derived from a French term meaning training.
The basic tenets of classical horsemanship were first
recorded in a book by Greek General Xenophon around 400
BC. and further developed at the royal courts of Europe in
the 17th and 18th centuries. While once an
activity of royalty, today dressage has evolved into a
discipline and competitive sport accessible to all horses
and riders.
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Eventing
Eventing
is one of the fastest growing equestrian pursuits in the
world
- and one in which riders of all ages and abilities can
compete.
Developed
from cavalry competitions during the early 1900s, Eventing
is
the ultimate challenge for horse and rider, testing their
partnership
and
athletic prowess in three diverse and demanding
disciplines.
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grace of dressage
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rigors and thrills of cross-country jumping
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power and pageantry of show jumping |
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A
Horse Trial takes place over one, two or
three days, and involves
three distinct phases or tests - with varying degrees of
difficulty,
depending on the competitive level. Taken as a
whole, these
phases portray the ability, versatility and preparedness
of the horse and rider.
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Competitive
& Pleasure Trail Riding & Driving
Competitive
Trail Riding (CTR) and Endurance Riding (ER) are the
equestrian equivalent to Marathon running. They are both
long distance riding but they do differ in several ways.
CTR distances are usually shorter and are run to a time
set on the day by the organizers. ER distances are longer
and have a maximum time, and a minimum time also for
training rides. Both, however, have stringent veterinary
procedures the horses have to pass before actually
qualifying. The criteria are always "fit to
continue" and the horses welfare paramount.
Pleasure
Riding is enjoyed throughout each GMHA season in both
scheduled rides that go over specifically marked routes
and by individual or small groups who ride at their
convenience on the GMHA general use trails.
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Driving
Combined
Driving began as an official sport thirty years
ago when a group of driving enthusiasts, including
Britain's Prince Phillip, asked the Federation Equestrian
International (FEI) to put together a set of rules to
standardize driving competitions from Austria to New
Zealand.
Since driving
encompasses so many disciplines, it was decided that a
versatility test would be the best way to judge a
driving horse's ability. The competition,
similar in format to the ridden Three-Day Event, has
three parts: Dressage, Marathon, and Obstacles, each
looking at a different aspect of the horse's training
and the driver's ability.
The cornerstone of this competition is teamwork between horse and
driver.
Pleasure
Driving competitions are also an active part of
the GMHA schedule. While Dressage and Obstacle
classes may be offered at these events, you will also
see classes such as Reinsmanship, Working Classes, and Concours D'Elegance.
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Hunters
& Jumpers
Hunter/Jumper
shows are exciting events that test the horse and rider's
ability to navigate a set course at different heights that
can range from 12" to over 4'. Hunter classes
are judged on the horse's jumping ability and style,
manners, and way of going. Winners of Jumper classes
are chosen based on who jumped the course with the least
amount of faults and in the quickest time.
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