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.
HORSE SHOW
The GRHC presented our annual Open Horse Show at Dufresne Park in Granby, MA on Saturday, June 20th, 2009. Over 59 classes and 12 Championship Divisions including Gaited Horse and Green Horse were presented. We had a wonderful attendence and the Make-A-Wish foundation raised over $800.00 in donations and from the entry fees of their two classes in the show.
GRHC AND BELCHERTOWN CHAPTER TRAIL RIDES IN 2009
The GRHC & the Belchertown Chapter hosted trail rides in the months of, May, August, September, and October. On, Sunday, May 31st, 2009 the Belchertown Chapter hosted the Peggy Santaniello Memorial Ride at the Swift River Sportsmen's Club in Belchertown and it was a huge success. On August 30th, the GRHC, unfortunately had to cancel the Late Summer Pleasure Ride at Domnarski Farm in Ware, MA due to rain predictions for that day. Hopefully we will have better luck next year as this ride is a popular one if the weather is good. On, Sunday, September 13th the GRHC hosted the GRHC September Pleasure Ride at Northfield Mt. Recreation area in Northfield, MA. This was the first time the GRHC held an organized ride there and it attracted a crowd who enjoyed the gorgeous, wide, open cross -country ski trails. Finally, on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 (Postponed from its' original date of 10/18 due to rain on the 18th) the GRHC hosted the GRHC Fall Foliage Ride and Feast at Twin Orchard Farm in Southampton, MA. It was a nice turn out of riders on a beautiful sunny day. A wonderful feast was consumed later. We are now in the process of planning rides for the upcoming season. Call Diane at 413-527-9532 or e-mail at ghrc@charter.net if you have any suggestions for next year's rides.
PARADES
On Saturday, September 26th, 2009 the GRHC and the Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC participated in the Belchertown Fair Parade. It was a great time for all and new members, Blue Star Equiculture Draft Horse Sanctuary & Organic Farm marched with us with their beautiful rescued draft horses pulling a wagon and the Belchertown Historical Society's carriage, and being ridden.
BELCHERTOWN CHAPTER EVENTS
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 forthe Belchertown Chapter, 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.
POINTSETTIA BALL
On Saturday evening, December 5th, 2009 the Belchertown Chapter of the GRHC will host a "Pointsettia Ball" at the VFW in Belchertown, MA. There will be dinner, dancing and horse drawn carriage rides provided by new members, Blue Star Equiculture Draft Horse Sanctuary and Organic Farm. Tickets are on sale now and are $35.00 per person. Contact any Belchertown Chapter board member listed on the newsletter and on the Belchertown Chapter page on this web site or contact Belchertown Chapter President, Dede Beach at 413-250-4085 or email at Thesidesaddlelady@yahoo.com
