Mission
The mission of the Greenwich Riding & Trails Association is to:
*encourage the preservation of open spaces and our unique rural countryside
*to maintain the 200 year old historic trail system throughout Greenwich and the surrounding area and our own 93 acres preserve
*promote all forms of horse care and riding
This is made possible through the cooperation of our generous landowners, conservation land managers and volunteers.
History
The Greenwich Riding and Trails Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1914 to preserve, protect, and maintain open space and the 150 miles of riding trails , as well as to foster horsemanship in Greenwich CT. This 200 yrs old trail system holds together the mosaic of green space throughout Greenwich. We employ a full time land manager to maintain this ever precious open space that includes properties belonging to the Audubon, Greenwich Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, the Boys Scouts and the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, as well as numerous landowners who graciously allow the trails through their properties.
The Nichols Preserve is the most recent addition to the trails system. This 93 acre preserve , in north-west Greenwich and North Castle, NY, is open to the public. For more information about the Nichols Preserve click on Land Conservation in the menu.
Continuing in that spirit today, the GRTA is supported by its membership and the contributions of friends who recognize the importance of open space. The GRTA is an independent, self-supporting organization that neither seeks nor obtains community funds.
To learn more details about our long history, please read:
The GRTA Timeline, The GRTA Chairmen and Presidents , The Bolling Inscription , The Huntsman Story, and The History of the GRTA Trophies.
Events
The GRTA holds several annual equestrian events including horse shows and organized rides. It also organizes other social events, such as the Greenwich Barn Tour and the Hunt Ball to help raise monies needed to maintain the trails and properties. In addition, the GRTA coordinates activities with the Town of Greenwich, including the Planning and Zoning commission, the Inland Wetlands Commission and the Conservation Commission and works with various citizen groups and other organization which have a mutual objective of maintaining the quality of the community. See Calendar of Events for more detailed information.
Associations
Two of our proudest associations are our affiliation with Pegasus Therapeutic Riding and the Greenwich Pony Club. Both organizations are dedicated to introducing that unique challenge and sense of individuality and accomplishment to a broad cross section of youth that can be achieved by horsemanship. Pegasus is a therapeutic riding organization, staffed by professionals and volunteers. It has widespread recognition among educators and the medical profession for the outstanding benefits that horseback riding and horse care brings to handicapped children and adults. The Greenwich Pony Club, affiliated with the U.S. Pony Club, “ provides a program for youth that teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies, thereby developing responsibility, moral judgment, leadership and self-confidence.”
GRTA Members range from equestrians ( all ages, levels and disciplines ), their families, landowners, supporters of open space and social members. There is an annual meeting for the full membership as well as monthly board meetings. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Networker, to keep members and landowners informed.
Anyone interested in getting more information or in joining may call 203.661.3062 or email
thegrta@thegrta.org. The mailing address is:
GRTA
PO Box 1403
Greenwich, CT 06836