
A hunter pace is a form of competition involving horses and riders in which a trail is marked for horse and rider to follow. The hosts of the event send experienced horses and riders to ride the trail at the speed that the First, Second and Hilltopper flights would go if they were fox hunting. The pace time is the ideal time to safely, but quickly, ride the set trail.
Competitors go out in teams of two, three or four to ride the trail. Each group of riders is timed. Riders are penalized for either riding too fast and beating the pace time, or too slow and taking longer than the pace time. The group to come closest to the pace time wins the competition, whether over or under the "pace" time.
Jumps all have go-arounds. Medals awarded to each flight winner. The course is approximately five miles through beautiful woods and prairies.
Competitors go out in teams of two, three or four to ride the trail. Each group of riders is timed. Riders are penalized for either riding too fast and beating the pace time, or too slow and taking longer than the pace time. The group to come closest to the pace time wins the competition, whether over or under the "pace" time.
Jumps all have go-arounds. Medals awarded to each flight winner. The course is approximately five miles through beautiful woods and prairies.
Hunter Pace & iSportsman
To ride in the Hunter Pace, you MUST get an iSportman permit prior to the ride. You will need to plan ahead to get this done ahead of time; it cannot be completed in one day or on the day of the event. It takes about 24-72 hours to complete the entire process.
You can choose to purchase a one-time iSportsman permit for the day or get an annual iSportsman permit. The annual iSportsman permit allows you to sign in and ride on any of the open JBLM training areas all year long.
No matter which permit option you choose, there are several steps involved.
1. Log into the site and create an account. You will need your vehicle license plate number and your driver’s license as proof of ID. https://jblm.isportsman.net/login.aspx#Register
2. Email a photo of your current driver's license to the email below:
[email protected]
3. Once iSportsman has verified your ID, log back into your account to watch the safety brief and complete a quiz. YOU MUST WATCH THE SAFETY BRIEF AND COMPLETE THE QUIZ before you can purchase a permit.
4. Click on the tab “Permit’s Available” and this now will be populated with the available permits.
You can choose to purchase a one-time iSportsman permit for the day or get an annual iSportsman permit. The annual iSportsman permit allows you to sign in and ride on any of the open JBLM training areas all year long.
No matter which permit option you choose, there are several steps involved.
1. Log into the site and create an account. You will need your vehicle license plate number and your driver’s license as proof of ID. https://jblm.isportsman.net/login.aspx#Register
2. Email a photo of your current driver's license to the email below:
[email protected]
3. Once iSportsman has verified your ID, log back into your account to watch the safety brief and complete a quiz. YOU MUST WATCH THE SAFETY BRIEF AND COMPLETE THE QUIZ before you can purchase a permit.
4. Click on the tab “Permit’s Available” and this now will be populated with the available permits.
Hunter Pace 101
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! Juniors MUST have an adult rider on their team. If time allows, you can ride on two teams on a different horse! Come join us and have a wonderful day riding with friends!
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! Juniors MUST have an adult rider on their team. If time allows, you can ride on two teams on a different horse! Come join us and have a wonderful day riding with friends!
2024 Hunter Pace Schedule
- First Hunter Pace - May 25, 2024
- Summer Hunter Pace(s) - July 6, August 10 (cancelled)
- Final Hunter Pace with the Hunter Trials Show on October 12 (tentative)