GGT Footing™

What do Shawna Harding, Cesar Parra, Lisa Wilcox, Heather Blitz, Andre Dignelli, and Gaby Salick have in common, other than being world-class riders and trainers? They all train on GGT Footing, a tried and true formulation that originated in Germany but is now taking the United States by storm.

GGT Footing consists of 100% durable and UV-resistant, polymer-based textile products. GGT Footing does not create fine dust and is free from recycled end-consumer products (e.g. carpet), thus it contains no toxic or hazardous substances (e.g. formaldehyde), which can be found in many of the competing footing products. (Independent tests and certificates are available on request.) The GGT formula is unique, not only in its composition, but in the way that it is chopped and blended with special fibers. GGT Footing offers sand-tailored footing blends to achieve the best riding results.
A number of spectacular equestrian venues in the United States also use GGT Footing textile additives to give their competitors the best footing available. Some of the facilities that currently use GGT Footing include: Winter Equestrian Festival, Devon, Hampton Classic, Syracuse international, National Horse Show, The Kentucky Horse Park/WEG, Princeton Show Jumping, Palermo Horse Shows, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Jim Brandon Equestrian Center-World Dressage Masters, Sacramento Horse Show, Sonoma Horse Park and the Fidelity Jumper Classic.
When shopping for footing, there are many factors to consider. Be sure to consult with a GGT Footing expert to find the correct mix for your needs. Everyone wants a safe footing that will foster their horses’ athletic ability, and GGT Footing products are environmentally- and budget-friendly. GGT Footing has a variety of footing blends that can be added to sand to customize your arena. They prefer a clean, washed, silica sand in certain sieve sizes, as well as a sub-angular structure; good quality mason sand can be used as well. GGT Footing offers custom blends for a number of disciplines, with specific blends for Dressage, Hunter/Jumper and Western competitors.
A quality base and drainage system is also essential for the optimal footing; the experts at GGT Footing will help you to locate a professional or sales partner that can provide these services at a reasonable price. GGT Footing has also developed a new arena mat, the “Butterfly” mat. This matting system minimizes headaches in setting up a base layer and drainage system, while reducing the total amount of footing that is needed. The “Butterfly” is a consistent, further development in traditional matting systems – improvements were made on weight (handling, freight costs), quality (production process, certified raw materials, availability, durability) and function (drainage, water retention, stability). Further features are: enlarged water cups in combination with drainage holes to allow thundershower rain to drain quickly, tongue and groove (interlocking to prevent mats from shifting) and knobs (improved footing stability).
GGT Footing is looking for a sponsorship deal on the East and West Coast to install its new matting system…please apply with a photo of your facility, arena size, discipline and full contact information.
Like any footing, maintenance is important, but GGT Footing is quite easy to maintain. GGT Footing needs a proper harrow with adjustable tines and teeth, as well as a roller, to keep the footing mixed properly. The optimal moisture level is 15%-17%, similar to the edge of the beach where the waves hit the sand. Most professionals groom their arena daily to keep them in tiptop shape, with daily maintenance being quick and easy. GGT Footing has developed a harrow, starting at a four-foot working width, that works specifically with their footing to ensure that customers are utilizing their footing right.
For more information on GGT Footing, visit www.ggt-footing.com. Call Cynthia Brewster-Keating, the National Account Manager, at 864-804-0011, or email her at ggt@polysols.com to learn how your barn could be added to the list of successful barns riding on GGT Footing.