USEA Groton House profile

[frugalannie]

In case you haven’t seen it, many memories surfaced after a quick read:

​​​​​​http://useventing.com/news/usea-events-z-groton-house-farm-horse-trials

I’ve got to share (just a couple), and I hope others will too!

In the photo of Jim Stamets going to the water jump, he is on my Dutch mare, Hat Trick. If his position seems extreme, it is because Hat Trick was SO enthusiastic about drops of any sort that she jumped them as if they were a 4 foot fence. Way up and over was her motto. WAAAAY up!

I remember walking the course once and two Olympic gold medal winners were riding on the Advanced course at the same time: Phillip Dutton and David O’Connor. But the cool thing was that they and they students (along with many others) also rode lower levels, especially the first weekend. A great education watching so many of the best work with young horses in warm up and in competition.

Groton House Farm is so beautiful and has so much history, dating back to the founding of the Massachusetts colony it is a privilege to be able to have access to it. Ann Getchell’s efforts, along with her daughter Sarah and the tireless organizing committee are amazing and do it for the love of the sport. My sincere thanks to them.

(BTW, did you know that some scenes from The Equalizer were shot on the farm?)

[beowulf]

Love all the photos – and can tell Hat Trick was enthusiastic - look at the explosion of a dust cloud behind her!

I love Groton House. It’s long been a destination event of mine, but through fate and circumstance, have always had to scratch when I’ve sent an entry in… but I have been a groom for many riders there over the years. It’s such a wonderful event, with wonderful people… and the XC field is just gorgeous. it’s definitely a place that I think all NE riders should make a destination event.

[Larbear]

I love Groton House! I wasn’t able to compete there last year but jump judged for x-country and did jump crew for the show jumping. I’m hoping to do it this year

[quietann]

So cool! Honestly, my idea of what eventing “should be” comes from s few years volunteering for parking duty when I got back into horses about 12 years ago.

It’s simply a wonderful event. These days I usually don’t make it to the USEA event, but I volunteer at the spring and fall Classics, for elementary and beginner novice teams.

And… that Ipswich River crossing still exists, though it’s not part of the course anymore. I board my horse nearby and we’ve been through it to get to Groton House - which allows hacking from roughly May through November to ECTA members with a bridle tag, as do the owners of the land north of the river. It’s deep but my good mare did it anyway even though she doesn’t like water crossings.

[Martina]

Groton House is magical. I remember my first time there and I was awe-struck. You can see and feel the historic vibe of the old days and the scenery is just gorgeous. The course is amazing, true cross country with big natural jumps placed well within the landscape. Horses LOVE it. Big and fun with lots of challenges but no tricks or surprises.

Groton House is a true gem and I feel privileged to ride there.

[eohippus]

I grew up in the Ipswich/Hamilton area. A long time ago, back in the early 1990s, I worked for Ann Getchell at GHF, taking care of her horses. She had bred a few TB/WB foals each year. I learned a lot working with her nice young horses. She had many special horses and I still think about all of them often. I got to ride the older horses around the farm and nearby in Bradley Palmer SP and Appleton Farms. Good times. I never competed in the HTs, I just trail rode for fun.

When I go back to Ipswich to see family and friends I always try to visit GHF and sometimes I see Ann there with all her dogs that she always has.

[goodmorning]

I can’t wait for this year. We will be doing the Summer Festival as we aren’t quite ready for Novice, I’ve not jumped XC since summer of 2017 so a bit late. I feel so blessed to romp around BN, and running Novice there was soooo much fun. The best course in Area 1.