Join Us in Improving the Historic
Germantown Charity Horse Show Grounds!
The GCHS show grounds serve as a cornerstone of our equestrian community, attracting riders, spectators, and businesses while generating significant economic impact for the region. These enhancements will preserve the legacy of the historic show grounds, elevate the experience for exhibitors and spectators alike, and ensure its continued role as a driving force in equestrian sport for generations to come.
The improvements will be delivered in three phases focusing on Show Rings, Paved Access, and Barns, and will provide:
- Improved safety standards for riders and horses during competition
- Increased flexibility in course design
- Upgraded barn facilities to ensure optimal care and comfort for horses
- Better accessibility for competitors, support teams, and spectators
PHASE 1
Upgrade and improve footing in all arenas and create a new, larger arena for competition, and a new lunging area ($1.2 million)
1A: The Bowl and Adjacent Warm-up Ring
- Replace footing in Bowl and adjacent warm-up ring with fiber and sand mixture installed with improved drainage
- Increase the size of the Bowl by removing existing perimeter fence and installing new fencing closer to the concrete wall. The existing drains in this area will no longer be necessary with the construction of the improved drainage system
1B: The North/South Ring
- Remove existing announcer tower
- Regrade existing base in ring area and add limestone as necessary
- Install subsoil drainage
- Add high quality sand mixture (Covia/silica sand)
- Utilize laser grading to establish crowning in the ring
- Remove existing fence around the ring and construct a new perimeter fence
- Purchase high quality temporary fencing to configure show rings, schooling areas and holding areas
1C: The Northeast Ring
Build a new, larger Northeast hunter ring on the current site of North schooling area
- This ring will have a limestone base and upgraded sand mixture as in the upgraded North/South ring
- Seating for the proposed new Northeast ring may be rented as needed or those attending the show may bring their own seating
1D: Lunging Area*
- Create a new lunging area
PHASE 2
Improve paving throughout the show grounds (~$700k)
- GCHS, the City of Germantown, and a construction partner will reconstruct Melanie Smith Lane and the Founders Pavilion parking lot
- This will be achieved with a $100,000 TN Tourism Enhancement Grant and In Kind donation(s)
- Work with a construction partner to repave around the barns and improve the drainage system
PHASE 3
Restore and improve historic barns (~$850k)
- Replace barn roofing to ensure the longevity of the historic barns, including replacing barn rafters as needed
- Repair/replace fly spray systems and electrical components, as needed
We invite you to add horsepower to our mission!
Donations to the GCHS Show Grounds Improvements Initiative are 100% tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For more information or to discuss giving opportunities, please email us at GCHS.SGII@gmail.com.
Your support will help preserve the legacy and shape the future of the GCHS show grounds – thank you for making an impact!
Assumptions/Dependencies/Other Information
GCHS has engaged in extensive efforts to develop this comprehensive plan for Show Ground Improvements for enabling GCHS to remain a premier equestrian facility. GCHS’s ability to deliver the improvements as projected in the Show Ground Improvements Initiative is dependent upon a number of factors, including funding, input/approvals from the City of Germantown, the availability of “In Kind” community partners, as well as material and labor costs and Mother Nature. This plan is based upon the best information available at the time of its development and it is certainly possible that new information may come into existence over the life of the project. As is true with any proposed outdoor improvement project involving such factors, some aspects of the plan might be impacted in ways that are currently unforeseeable. Accordingly, GCHS reserves the right to modify plans, scope, timeline and costs in a timely fashion, as necessary.
- Funding must be available (cash on hand) before work can begin on any given phase/subphase, and work will be scheduled to minimize costs.
- Phase 1 will be completed prior to Phase 2 beginning.
- GCHS’s lease with the City of Germantown will be extended.
- The City of Germantown must approve the new Northeast Ring and lunging area, and all proposed major changes. The improvements for the Bowl and Warm-up Ring have already been approved.
- An announcer tower will not be built to replace the old existing tower that will be removed. The judge and announcer for the N/S ring can reside in the existing judge’s booth.
- GCHS along with its supporters will be able to engage a community partner(s) to perform “In Kind” work for asphalt/repaving. Asphalt and value of In Kind work are estimates and costs/value will be confirmed as project details are finalized for Phase 2
- Ongoing maintenance is in addition to the estimated costs shown, and will be addressed.
- Each show held on the show grounds must provide a drag and water truck for use by the GCHS vendor who will perform maintenance on the rings.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a Tennessee-approved charitable organization, GCHS remains committed to making a meaningful difference in our community by supporting local charities focused on education, children and families. Every act of kindness, every dollar, and every moment of your time brings us closer to achieving our goals.