GSCA YEAR-END PARTICIPATION AWARDS
Starting in 1983

At the GSCA Annual Meeting each spring from 1983 to 2016, a Participation Award has been presented to the Outing participant(s) who attended the most club-sponsored activities for the previous year.

Initially, the names of the Award recipients were engraved on a plaque, and the recipient held it for a year. Then the plaque would be passed on at the next Annual Meeting to the next recipient, sometimes to be shared among multiple winners.

Since 2015, when the plaque space was filled, the Year-end Award recipients have been listed here in honor of their achievements.

The Granite State Carriage Association Participation ("Best Attendance") Award plaque, 1983-2015, originally presented to the club by the Merrimack Trail Riders.

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CAHILL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Starting in March 2023, the M.V.P. Award on the GSCA election ballot was re-named the Cahill Sportsmanship Award.

This Recipient will be chosen annually by GSCA Members to honor the memories of Sonja and Bob Cahill, who founded, hosted, and supported several GSCA Outings during their 32 years as GSCA Members, 1989 - 2021.

Drives/camping Outings first begun and hosted by Sonja and Bob were Shelburne VT, Chocorua “Look to the Mountain” Outing, Northeast Kingdom in Danville VT which ran for several years, also a Greenfield NH camping Outing. Sonja served the club in each officer capacity and mentored, advised, and assisted the Board as a Senior Advisor and Lifetime Member.

Bob was frequently an Auction assistant at the  GSCA's Annual Dinner FUNd-raiser, where his antics kept everyone laughing.!Together they were dedicated to promoting and advancing the GSCA and carriage driving, encouraging new members and safe practices, and maintaining their sense of humor and fun. “Good Sports” both!

CAHILL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Honorees:

For 2022 -- Leslie Baxter.

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Ellen Kay Flatley Memorial Fund Ellen K. Flatley  

The Granite State Carriage Association lost an outstanding fellow horsewoman in spring of 2023, Ellen Flatley. Quoting from one of her dear friends: “What I loved most about Ellen was that she accepted me for who I was without judgment. We could talk about so much and be open and honest about our thoughts. If you needed her, she would have your back. She watched out for her friends and like me I’m sure those friends also miss her greatly.”
     The Lakes Region became Ellen’s home after getting married. She had many interests, but she focused primarily on animals. She maintained an equine boarding facility in Gilmanton and spent time riding and driving her own horses as well as loving and caring for cats and dogs.
     She moved to Ashland in 1996, establishing Winterberry Farm with the love of her life, Dan Golden. She and Dan enjoyed riding their horses in the area. She was also involved in breeding a few foals for herself, carriage driving and trail riding. She enjoyed taking her certified therapy dog Buster to nursing visits. She also was involved in dog agility training with her dog Bailey.

     To quote another of Ellen’s dear friends “The loss of Ellen is devastating to so many of us… her sons and grandsons, countless friends and neighbors that she was always helping, along with the people in the nursing home that she visited every week with her little dog Buster.”
     The notes I received from Ellen’s friends had me so wishing we had met somewhere down the trails. Another quote was “She had that dry witty sense of humor that would crack you up, and she would send the most ridiculously funny Gifs via text. I miss that humor.”
If from only a tiny glimpse into Ellen’s life from her dear friends, I am hoping you can see what a lovely spirit Ellen brought.
     On her passing Ellen’s wish was for contributions to be sent to the Granite State Carriage Association. As well, Ellen bequeathed her own gift to the GSCA. In honor of this generous gift, we have started the Ellen Kay Flatley Memorial fund.
     We will be giving back to our Equine community through the fund and keep Ellen’s memory alive for years to come.

Leslie Baxter

2023 Recipient of Ellen Kay Flatley Scholarship Award--

UPREACH THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER, Hooksett, NH

Fine art horse portrait by Barbara Frake