HUNTER PACE 101 – A Guide to Your First Hunter Pace
If you've never done (or heard of) a Hunter Pace before, don’t hunt, are not sure whether you or your horse can do it, wonder what the dress code is (western riders welcome) we've created Hunter Pace 101 to answer all your questions!
1.) Is it a horse show? No, a hunter pace is really an organized trail ride for all levels of riders where you ride on a team of 2, 3, 4 or 5 (friends, barn mates, neighbors, that guy or gal you want to impress).
To make it more fun, the rides are timed! A hunt has three "flights" of riders:
2.) What is the dress code? There is no proper attire, we love it when a team shows up color coordinated or wearing something distinctive, one year a team had t-shirts that said "Bridle Trails Babes" on the back, one had tie-dye t-shirts, it's for fun, and please pick a fun team-name as well! One member has a mule team and calls it the "Long Ears Team" so be creative! Western, Aussie, dressage tack, it's all good, wear and use whatever tack you and your horse are most comfortable with.
3.) How long is the course and will I have to jump? The course is approximately four to five miles long through our beautiful hunt country, you'll be crossing native prairies and going through hills of evergreen woods on a clearly marked course, with orange flags to your right. All jumps have go-arounds or split with the jumping portion clearly marked, so you will not have to jump unless you want to.
4.) I want to come but I don't have a teammate. Email back, we usually have single riders looking for teammates in each flight or someone wanting to ride a second horse, and we should be able to find a team for you! Don't let not having a partner stop you from entering!
5.) What does it cost? Adult riders are $40. and juniors are $25, we have quite a few families riding together! If time allows, you can ride on two teams on a different horse! Come join us and have a wonderful day riding with friends!
6.) Where do I enter? Entries for the August 13 are CLOSED NOW. Email mhoede@gmail.com with any questions.
1.) Is it a horse show? No, a hunter pace is really an organized trail ride for all levels of riders where you ride on a team of 2, 3, 4 or 5 (friends, barn mates, neighbors, that guy or gal you want to impress).
To make it more fun, the rides are timed! A hunt has three "flights" of riders:
- First Flight follows on the heels of the huntsman and hounds and they jump and gallop at times. The
- Second Flight follows First Flight at a slower pace and jumps usually from a canter (jumping is optional).
- "Hilltoppers" or third flight ride at a walk and trot, finding “hilltops” for a great vantage point to watch all the action! Hilltoppers is a great flight to try out a green horse or for a green rider and you'll get to see our beautiful hunt country!
2.) What is the dress code? There is no proper attire, we love it when a team shows up color coordinated or wearing something distinctive, one year a team had t-shirts that said "Bridle Trails Babes" on the back, one had tie-dye t-shirts, it's for fun, and please pick a fun team-name as well! One member has a mule team and calls it the "Long Ears Team" so be creative! Western, Aussie, dressage tack, it's all good, wear and use whatever tack you and your horse are most comfortable with.
3.) How long is the course and will I have to jump? The course is approximately four to five miles long through our beautiful hunt country, you'll be crossing native prairies and going through hills of evergreen woods on a clearly marked course, with orange flags to your right. All jumps have go-arounds or split with the jumping portion clearly marked, so you will not have to jump unless you want to.
4.) I want to come but I don't have a teammate. Email back, we usually have single riders looking for teammates in each flight or someone wanting to ride a second horse, and we should be able to find a team for you! Don't let not having a partner stop you from entering!
5.) What does it cost? Adult riders are $40. and juniors are $25, we have quite a few families riding together! If time allows, you can ride on two teams on a different horse! Come join us and have a wonderful day riding with friends!
6.) Where do I enter? Entries for the August 13 are CLOSED NOW. Email mhoede@gmail.com with any questions.
All entries are done on-line and the entry form includes a Waiversign and a PayPal link, you can also pay by check. Entries close on Thursday, August 11th.