Mission
The mission of the Greenwich Riding & Trails Association is to:
*encourage the preservation of open spaces and our unique rural countryside
*promote all forms of horseback riding
*to maintain the nearly century old system of trails throughout Greenwich and the surrounding area.
This is made possible only through the cooperation of our generous landowners and conservation land managers.
History
The Greenwich Riding and Trails Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1914 to preserve, protect, and maintain open space and the riding trails , as well as to foster horsemanship in Greenwich CT. Continuing in that spirit today , the association is supported by the 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.
The GRTA is dedicated to preserving and maintaining the century-old system of trails, encouraging horseback riding and protecting the ever precious open space in backcountry. These trails hold together the mosaic of the green areas of Greenwich. The 150 miles of trails are on 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 passage 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.
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 bi-annual Hunt Ball to help raise monies needed to maintain the trails and properties. We employ a full time Trail Manager. 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.
Two of our proudest associations are our affiliation with Pegasus 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 Juniors that can only be achieved by horsemanship. Pegasus is a therapeutic riding organization, staffed by volunteers. It is gaining widespread recognition among educators and the medical profession for the outstanding benefits that horseback riding brings to handicapped children. The Greenwich Pony Club is affiliated with the U.S. Pony Club and provides a disciplined program of instruction in the riding, care, treatment and proper use of horses. The Pony Club encourages the positive virtues of sportsmanship and courage.
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:
PO Box 1430
Greenwich, CT 06830