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History and Mission of Granby Regional Horse Council, Inc. The Granby Regional Horse Council was initially formed in 1994 at the old Circle Double G Farm (originally located on route 202 in Granby, MA) by a group of local horse owners who rode the trails of Granby, Belchertown, and the surrounding communities. After realizing that there was a large population of horses, horse related businesses, and recreational riders in the area, and seeing a need to bring these groups of horse people together, we decide to formaly establish the group. So in 1996, the Granby Regional Horse Council, Inc. was officially established and incorporated as a non-profit 501C equestrian organization. The Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC was formed in 2008 and is comprised mostly of residents of the town of Belchertown but it accepts other towns members too. Members of this chapter are also members of the GRHC
Our goals and purposes then and now, are to provide equine educational venues, host recreational & competitive events, save and maintain trails and open space for equestrian use, To these purposes, we have been hosting educational lectures, organizing trail rides, working with other groups to save trails and open space, and presenting horse shows, gymkhanas, sleigh rally, and more for nearly 10 years now!
We welcome new members of all ages and encourage all to attend our monthly meetings held every 2nd Tuesday evening of the month. (See newsletter for date’s times)
GRANBY REGIONAL HORSE COUNCIL, INC.
P.O. Box 283
Granby, MA 01033
413-527-9532
GRHC@charter.net
www.GranbyRegionalHorse.org
GRHC PRESENTS A YEAR OF OF LECTURES AND EVENTS FOR 2009.
Get ready for a great winter of educational free lectures, demonstrations, and inexpensive seminars presented by the GRHC.
We started the year with a free lecture which took place on Monday, January 26th, 2009. The lecture entitled “Winter Horse Keeping” with our speaker, Dr. Timothy Galusha, DVM, was well attended. Please be sure that we have your e-mail address. I was unable to get this into the newsletter so I sent e-mails to all.
On Monday, February 23rd, 2009 the GRHC hosted another free lecture entitled “Lyme Disease in Horses” with our speaker, Dr. John Perdrizet, DVM. It took place at MHC Equestrian Center, South Hadley, MA at 7:00 PM and was packed as people from as far away as Windsor, CT came to hear Dr. Peridrizet speak on this very important topic. A lively discussion about the topic went on for some time. The GRHC is looking into being a part of a study, if possible with Dr. Perdrizet and Cornell. On Monday, March 16th, the GRHC hosted a free lecture and demonstration entitled “The Art & Style of Side Saddle” at Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center in South Hadley, MA. The small but appreciative attendees learn much about side saddle riding and enjoyed learning about the saddles and the beautiful dresses & costumes associated with side saddle. Thank you Ms. Linely Beckner for this lecture demonstration
In February, the GRHC presented Bob Sadowski Jr. of Peacehaven Farm as he brought us a HorseMindShip Seminar/ Demonstration. It was a success and many folks got a lot from the seminar. It was held on Saturday, February 21st & Sunday, February 22nd at Circle Double G Farm. The Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC hosted another Bob Sadowski Seminar and Demonstration on Saturday, March 21st, & Sunday, March 22nd. This seminar and demonstration was also a success as Bob worked with a group of horse owners who study his techniques on a weekly. More clinics will be scheduled for June, July, August, September, and October.The exact dates, places, and themes for these riding and ground work clinics with be announced soon, so please keep checking this web site for updates.
On Sunday, May 31st, 2009, the Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC hosted their first official event. The Peggy Santaniello Memorial Ride held at the Swift River Sportsman's Club in Belchertown. Over 50 riders rode the beautifully marked trails and ate a wonderful chicken dinner with plenty of delicious dessert. Funds were raised for both the Belchertown Chapter and for the American Heart association and local animal shelters in accordance with Peggy's wishes. Peggy's husband, Frank, thanked all who came and we all honored the memory of a very special woman, Peggy Santaniello. She will never be forgotten. Thanks goes to Deb O'Connor and Kerstin Witaszek for all of the hard work organizing this event. Thanks also to all the volunteers who helped.
The GRHC will present our annual Open Horse Show at Dufresne Park in Granby, MA on Saturday, June 20th, 2009. There will be over 59 classes and and 12 Championship Divisions including Gaited Horse and Green Horse. (See calendar of Events Page for more information, class lists, and more)
GRHC MemberShip Renewal Time
It is GRHC membership renewal time. Most GRHC memberships are expiring on June 30th, 2009. So unless your renewed recentely or you joined for the first time in many years at our Fall Ride in October 2008 or you joined in the Winter or Spring months, your membership is due!! Please print out the membership form on the last page of this web site and fill it out and send it in with your membership fee.
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BECOME A GRHC MEMBER AND ENJOY THE FOLLOWING MEMBER'S BENEFITS - Discounts on entry fees at GRHC trail rides and BSTRA trail rides.
- Discounts at specified, local feed and tack stores and other local businesses
Free subscription to MA Horse magazine along with a free 20 word classified ad .
Quarterly newsletters and mailer sent directly to your home.
- Free classified ads in all of our newsletters and mailers and on our web site.
- Discounts at specified equine clinics presented by the GRHC or The Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC
- The knowledge that you are a part of a non-profit organization that is working to protect trails and open spaces. We are affiliated with BSTRA (Bay State Trail Riders Association) a MA State wide trail group & ELCR, a national organization that works to save land for equestrian use.
- The camaraderie of fellow equestrian and a network of equestrian resources
GRHC Hosts Horse-Mind-Ship Seminars, Clinics, etc. for 2009 This year the GRHC and the Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC has partnered with Mr. Bob Sadowski Jr. of Peacehaven Farm to present his
HorseMindShip series of seminars/ demonstrations and clinics. Some of you may remember Bob from GRHC’s free demonstration last March. This year Bob will be presenting two seminars/demonstrations hosted by the GRHC & the Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC along with several clinics. (See Calendar of events page) HorseMindShip is an exciting and refreshing program and a resource for starting colts, gentling mustangs, ground exercises to prepare for safe mounting, development of lightness and suppleness, control of horses body parts and teaching skills of bridle less riding. It is a complete program from beginner to bridle less; colt to finished horse. Bob enjoys helping problem horses and helping people with horse problems and has formed a program to help the horse and owner to be safe and develop a valuable relationship with their horse through communication. He makes it known that his primary mission is helping people to develop a relationship with their horse and to know whether or not their horse is safe to ride. This is done by installing what he calls a “foundation” not just for the horse but also for the human using a “Pre-Flight Test” that he has developed. The “Pre-Flight” test, in a few minutes, can show readiness of horse and rider to have a successful ride or ground experience. His techniques produce dramatic results with any horse, any discipline, any breed and any age. You will be sure to improve your horse’s willingness and your safety and riding skills as you feel your knowledge and skill grow to new levels. GRHC hosted the first HorseMindShip seminars and demos in February, March, and began hosting riding clinics with themes in April at various locations around the area. These seminars/demonstrations are fun, two day events that are held at someone’s house or farm where there are horses. Group size can be 10-30 or as is reasonable for space available. This format is very popular in the winter months when weather and temperatures cause us to stagnate. These are all day events with refreshments, coffee, snacks, drinks etc. Bob will prepare a sound system outside where the horses are and a teaching/presenting environment inside the house where it is warm. Concepts will be taught and presented inside for a couple of hours and then the group will move outside to observe a demonstration of the concepts presented inside. There will be a break for lunch and then more concepts presented inside. Again, the group would go outside for an hour and observe a demonstration of the concepts presented inside. This is a fun way to learn, socialize, share and learn during the winter months. Cost is $30 per dayper person and is free for the host with some profit benefiting the GRHC or the Belchertown Chapter.
HorseMindShip Clinics are Riding, Training or Horsemanship Clinics (Usually with a theme and are skill level oriented) where people are invited to bring their horse. They are teaching sessions in which Bob Sadowski Jr. or a guest professional gives practical instruction and advice to a small group of 4-10 participants. Clinics are level specific and participants are grouped by level. The goal is to evaluate participants and move them to their next level in all of the three categories; Riding Techniques, Training Techniques and Horsemanship Concepts. There is much introduction of new material, theory and principal with just enough practice to show understanding of the basics. Clinics are not drill sessions and equip you to go on and continue learning on your own. The cost is $150 per day for participant with a horse or $35 per day for spectator/auditors. Visit www.PeaceHavenFarm.com or our web site for dates, times, and places. Please Contact Bob Sadowski Jr. at newenglandbob@aol.com for more information or to register for a clinic or seminar. You may call him at 413-634-8800 too.
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