The Green Mountain Horse Association, South Woodstock, Hitching Post Farm, South Royalton and Huntington Farm, South Strafford, VT are teaming up to create a new program for event riders for 2012.  The Vermont Eventing Challenge is a year end awards program for riders competing in Vermont’s USEA recognized Horse Trials.  Annie Penfield owner of Strafford Saddlery Shop is pleased to support the goal of the program to promote event competition at many levels in the state of Vermont, and to provide riders with a season-long goal, attainable within the area.  The VT Eventing Challenge shows for 2012 will be Hitching Post Farm Horse Trial (May 19 – 20) GMHA’s June Horse Trials (June 2- 3), Huntington Farm Horse Trial (July 14 – 15) GMHA August Horse Trials (August 10 – 12) Huntington Farm Horse Trial (August 18 – 19) and GMHA September Horse Trials (September 15 – 16).

This exciting new program will be open to any horse and rider combination participating in the challenge events.  Competitors must declare a horse and rider combination, level of competition, and pay a nominating fee in order to be eligible for the Vermont Eventing Challenge.  Horse and rider combinations are only eligible at one level per season; riders may declare multiple horses. The program will be administered by the Green Mountain Horse Association in cooperation with Hitching Post Farm and Huntington Farm.

Once a horse and rider combination has been declared, the low score from each competition will count towards the Vermont Eventing Challenge.  The best four out of six scores at the declared level of competition will be averaged to determine the winner of the Vermont Eventing Challenge.  Riders are encouraged to participate in all six eligible events, in which case the worst scores of the six scores will be dropped.  Ribbons and awards will be presented for 1^st through 6^th place at Training, Novice and Beginner Novice levels.  To become a part of this exciting new awards program, please visit www.gmhainc.org to download the details and a declaration form. 

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available for this program!  Sponsorship is a great way to support Eventing in Vermont while gaining exposure for your business.   For details, please contact the Green Mountain Horse Association’s Molly Hutchins at (802) 457 1509, ext. 219 or molly@gmhainc.org. Find information at www.gmhainc.org.