I just signed up to do my first hunter pace but don’t really know what to expect. The horse I am taking has done lots of hunter paces, and while I’ve evented over the years, this will be new to me. The hunter pace will be in North Salem, NY. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!
You’ll have a blast.
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Pay attention to how the course is marked so you don’t get lost or confused. Keep your eyes open for directional markers! (ask me why I tell you this.
I’m notorious for getting lost on course!) -
Depending on your division, you’ll want to set what would be an appropriate “hunting” pace if you want to try to come in close to the optimum time. For non-jumping it’s usually a little slower than the jumping divisions.
Basically, all the hunter paces I’ve done have been an awesome ride across country. It’s not like being out on course at an event. It’s not necessary to canter all the time and can intersperse the route with trot and walk. Sometimes we even take a break to stop and enjoy the scenery.
It really is a great time. Enjoy!
Is there any kind of flyer or other information you can get? There seem to be quite a few activities, with different degrees of formality, all lumped under the same name.
Regardless, just be neat, tidy, and on time. And relax and have a good time (that last being the most important point of hunter paces).
The hunter paces our local hunt club hosts always offer to pair a newbie up with a hunter pace veteran for the pairs classes.
You may want see if you can do your first class with a veteran in case you want some “hand holding” so to speak.
Have fun!
I think they are all very different. I do Hunter Paces with our local Hunt (Los Altos Hounds) and mostly, it is a XC course…period.
And agree, there are very newbie-friendly classes. We have Pairs for Hilltopper and Intro (only one rider is required to jump, but both can) and several other classes.
But around here - again - we use XC course/facilities in CA. It is super fun though!
Hopefully you can pair up with someone? I’m going to a HP tomorrow, in fact
I have only been to one and we did get a little lost at one point, but we managed. We too took a few walk breaks, in fact there is a place where they tell you to do a 5 minute walk and you kind of have to! We walked a long a small lake, so the horses could get a drink. Of course the jumps are optional, the scenery was awesome and although we only went for the fun of it, we ended up coming in 5th out of 20+ in our division. Who knew!
It was just really fun - pretty much stress free, but with a little competitiveness to make it interesting. Plus BBQ afterwards was included!
I had a great time at my first hunter pace. Thanks for all the advice. We did get a little lost at times but it was so much fun! Everyone was very friendly and the fact that you can jump everything or nothing was great for people of different levels. It was definitely stress free and an enjoyable way to spend a morning.
Glad to hear you had a blast, OP. I’m hooked on Hunter Paces!!! 
