Hoping to do Foxchaser in April. Anyone have any advice or observations? The entry forms are not available yet. Any details from past rides? Thanks!
Just FYI- it’s the Foxcatcher 
So I board at Fair Hill (where the Foxcatcher is held) and I’ve done it a couple of times. It’s very well run ride, the camping is good, easy to get to, plenty of room, etc. They also do offer stalls that are about 1 mile from the campgrounds for those that prefer. The trails are beautiful & fantastic and they have lots of options if the footing is bad so that you’re not running in mud the whole time. However… it’s not a great ride for a race-brained horse, esp not the LD as the start is fairly chaotic in a large field and even if wait and start late, your horse can still see the other horses in the distance and there’s a lot of open trail. Difficulty-wise, people tend to ride it fast because it seems flat. It’s not. There is about zero flat ground at Fair Hill- it’s not all one giant climb but it’s always rolling and I think that’s where a lot of the pulls that happen there occur. I’ve sworn off doing the Foxcatcher with my mare that I have been competing but now that I have 2 others coming along who may not have laser-focus race brain like she does, I may try it again.
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What is “foxchaser”?
G.
My bad…never try to multitask. Thanks for the details. Really helpful. I think I am going to stay at the campground w/ the stalls (and showers). Hope for good weather! We sure need it.
I do it all the time lol!
I know this weather has been ridiculous. I’m still debating to do it or not this year. It’s nice that it’s sooo close but it also seems silly to do a ride in the park I ride at every day.
Come and ride the LD with me!
Thank you!
G.
I’m not far from you - where do you usually train? We have had such a rough winter, I haven’t decieed what will be our first ride yet…
Have you been to Fair Hill to get any idea of the park’s terrain? If not, these videos from previous years may be informative:
And this was my (very reactive) horse experiencing the park for the first time:
I am not sure if we will be there this year or not. I will certainly keep my fingers and toes crossed that the weather improves!
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I hate those tunnels. I love that park. I have camped there a few years with friends. I also cross country jump school there. I did not make it there much last year but hope to some more this year. It is about an hour and half from me so it is an all day trip to go down.
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I did sign up for the LD on my new gal. We’ll have to try and meet up
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Perfect! I just went on the Foxcatcher site. There is a note that folks need to sign up by 3/25 so they can see if there are enough entries to break even. Fingers crossed. I live outside of Richmond, VA. I had the best time riding the Ft Valley LD w/ Phantomhorse and Lani. That was our first LD and we had a blast! Really appreciate the videos.
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Unfortunately, I need to change plans. Tabula, I will pm you. Thanks.
