GMHA : Green Mountain Horse Association

Welcome to GMHA

GMHA is one of the nation's leading competition and equestrian education sites.

Our facilities include permanent stabling for approximately 160 horses, three sand rings, numerous grass riding areas, driving obstacles and a cross-country event course that runs through Intermediate. Meeting rooms, bathroom facilities, and an on-site cafe round out the facility offerings.

GMHA manages educational clinics and competitive events in 5 different disciplines (dressage, driving, eventing, hunter/jumper, and trail riding). We also rent our grounds to a few select events each season that fit in with our mission.

We also hold our annual Chef's Night: Courses and Horses, an occasion for our community to gather and sample fare from local restaurants and food purveyors, while watching various equine displays such as 2007's Freestyle dressage rides to music. Visit our Chef's Night page for more information.

Our History

GMHA was founded in 1926 when a small 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. From 1926-1936, GMHA's focus was directed toward its annual horse show, and on marking a growing network of trails. In 1927, a two-day, 60-mile competitive trail ride was included, and the list of GMHA's activities has continued to grow as time has passed.

GMHA has held a significant place in the development of horse sports in the United States. The following are just a few of our notable milestones:

• 1926: GMHA founded (GMHA is now the nation's oldest continuously operating horse association)
• 1935: The first multi-day (80-mile) trail ride. It has evolved from this beginning into our current 100-Mile Ride. In 2005, we celebrated its 70th anniversary.
• 1950: The current GMHA facility in South Woodstock, VT, is purchased.
• 1957: The GMHA Horse Trials were one of the first to be held in the US since the US Cavalry Team competed in the 1948 Olympics.
• 1957: The first year of the annual Horsemanship Clinic. The Junior Horsemanship Clinic celebrated its 50th year in 2006!
• 1963: Vermont's first All-Quarter Horse Show is held at GMHA.
• 1970: GMHA Dressage Competition begins as a preliminary to the August Horse Trials.

These are just a few of the GMHA history highlights. Roger Maher's wonderful book, "Green Mountain Horse Association: 1926-1990s," is an excellent resource for a more complete history of GMHA and its role in the development of all horse sports.

Our Mission

"The Green Mountain Horse Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the purpose of promoting and encouraging the raising, breeding, care and use of horses; providing facilities where its members may organize and carry out educational clinics and events for the training of horses and riders for trail, equestrian team trials and driving events, and developing and maintaining bridle trails in the State of Vermont and other such activities and purposes as may be desired by the members." (The Founding Members, October 1926)

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