Cross Post - Hunter Pace Question - Length?

[Bueller]

Using my alter again - hee hee. For those of you who partake, how long are the hunter paces you enter? Many many years ago I went to one and it was at least 5 miles and took about 1-1/2 hours to complete.

Recently a local group has been putting them on in early spring and I’ve gone to both they’ve had so far. However, they take about 10 minutes to complete. I was all excited when they first started and thought it would be similar and couldn’t believe when I was back in 9 minutes - give or take. Pretty quick way to dump $25 for the entry.

Seemed ridiculously short but is this about normal? Have things changed that much?

[Ray]

if its a Pace that is held regularly, you should be able to get prior results that include the times. The hunter paces that I have participated in here in MA tend to be for around an hr, much longer if you want to mosy along

[Bueller]

Yeah, that’s what I thought. I’m not going to bother going this year. With gas prices the way they are, riding for 9 minutes after driving 3 hours - 1-1/2 hrs each way - is not getting it.

They just started them in 2010 so this will be the 3rd year.

[JSwan]

I answered you in the other thread but I’ll post it here too.

It’s not a real hunter pace. What you describe appears to be a local “fun” type of thing put on by local riding clubs.

I’m sure it’s a great deal of fun and I’m not trying to disparage what they’re doing.

I’m looking at the Race Conditions booklet for our Point to Point Circuit. The Hunter Paces are generally about 3 miles over fair hunting country. No “moseying” allowed. There can be Open Divisions for nonhunters. The rest are pairs races over fences and on the flat. Optimum Time and some have a fast time. All at catch weights. At least one club does not offer a flat race.

As usual my pairs racing plans went to hell and I don’t think I’ll be doing as many as I’d hoped.

[Equibrit]

It’s not normal, or worth putting a horse in the trailer, and buying gas for.

[FitToBeTied]

Here in Virginia, the hunts put on Hunter Paces under the auspices of the Point-to_point association. Those as J swan noted run 3-4 miles over hunting territory. They typically have 20 jumping efforts. To be competitive in the optimum time you are cantering/galloping where ever possible with the exception of one or two of the paces. The optimum is usually set by hunt staff or members who hunt extensively.

After those are done, the hunts run fun hunter paces which typically run about 5-6 miles with some up to 9 miles. Those are kind of go your own pace and the winner is usually the pair closest to the average time.

[WildBlue]

Ours clearly state what to expect on the promotional flyers, which is generally somewhere between 4 and 6 miles. And re-running the course is half price.

[Hotspur]

Hunter Pace

Our Hunt puts on a Fun Hunter Pace each year. We have a fastest time and an optimum time division. Our course is different each year and is usually 6-7 miles through our hunt country. The optimum time is set by one of our Field Masters on a fit horse.

A good number of our entries in the optimum time division each year are trail riders that love just being out for a nice day on marked trails through beautiful country. We start the riders in our fastest time division well before the optimum time riders are allowed on course for obvious reasons. The fastest time winners usually come in at around 60 minutes. A good time is had by all.

[Ponyclubrocks]

Our hunt offers several paces through the summer. They all range between 5 and 8 miles. All jumps are optional and we offer 3 speed divisions basically to simulate 1st 2nd and 3rd fields. They are very well attended and serve as a major source of revenue. So I’d say it depends on who is hosting the pace!

[Simbalism]

I’m going to one a friend’s hunt is putting on in a couple of weeks. They have fast and optimum time over fences Jr/Sr, fast/ optimum time on the flat, and fast/optimum time over 50 on the flat. Basically, my barn buddy and I will be doing the over 50 optimum as a fun trail ride dressed up. If we make a decent time ok, but we are just going for the fun and the lunch…hehe.

[TalkIsCheap]

In our area…at least 5-6 miles over varied terrain at a good hunt pace. Should take about 2 hrs, 15 minutes…with about 10 -12 good jumps.

Jr, Sr & Mixed divisions available, with option of No fence, Mid Rail or High Rail. So the time is tweaked a bit for those categories.

$25 bucks. Usually benefits a local pony club or open space effort.

Lots of fun!