Hi all -
I jump judged at the New England Hunter Trials today, hosted by the Norfolk Hunt. It was a blast!
The turnout was great: 16 in Open (3’3") including 6 in the Heard Cup, 33 in Novice, 6 Team Chasers, and 22 pairs!
We got really lucky and had a good steady rain yesterday, after 3 weeks with no rain at all. Today was chilly and windy, but the clouds were clearing by the afternoon.
I wasn’t judging by the time the Pairs class rolled around, but here is a video link:
Nice! Years ago I went to the Myopia grounds to watch the Trials but never had the opportunity to ride in it, just play over those jumps during Hunter paces.
Jump judging is fun!
I don’t jump anymore but would love to volunteer as a jump judge! I will have to look into this for the future!
It happens once a year and rotates among the various hunts. I jump judged in 2019 when it was hosted by Myopia, too but entries were light that year. This year had above average entries from what I understand.
How lovely! I’m glad y’all had a good turnout and a good time.
And it’s nice to see some proper hunter jumps on an outside course.
Thank you for sharing!
That looks like so much fun!
Well these horses are almost all actual field hunters used for foxhunting, with some eventers in the mix too. I suspect that most if not all of the Open horses are field hunters; I had a co-judge for the Opens who is active with the Old Northbridge hunt and knew most of the riders. The Novice division looked like there were some eventers who recognized the show as a great opportunity to do a cross country schooling course and get some feedback. Novice was 2’6" I think. The event was held at the Norfolk Hunt Steeplechase Course, which is actually a very large area with terrain, fields, and woods.
I was glad to have the co-judge as we did have to assign a 0 to 20 point score to each horse, and she pointed out to me what makes a good foxhunter.
Foxhunting is on my bucket list, though as a hilltopper only. I don’t have a suitable horse, and would need a babysitter.
Thank you for jump judging! I was there on my elderly TB (he and I are really show jumpers, but we do low level eventing as his retirement career, along with hunter paces and the occasional hunt) in the open novice. I also did the team chase with a friend for her greenie’s first outing. I never pass up a chance to jump around the Steeplechase course.
And today was Myopia Hunter Pace day! Beautiful, if a bit chilly. I was on traffic detail at the bridge over the Ipswich River. This is Feronia’s and my former stomping grounds; I boarded her just up the road.
Some stupid ambulance company sent 4 ambulances with lights and sirens down this road and there were horses on the bridge 2 of those times. Our detail cop called the company and chewed them out! They aren’t supposed to use this road at all.
I used to do the Hunter Paces at Myopia. Nice to see they still hold them!
They will continue to hold them as long as there are enough volunteers. There were over 40 teams so it was super busy. There were some issues with signage in the Winthrop woods, but it’s really easy to get lost in there even if you think you know where you’re going.
I was there yesterday on the gigantic white gelding. Thank you for volunteering!
OMG how BIG is that horse? And can you tell me more about him? You were with one other person, right?
haha he is 19 hands! His name is Carl “Calido W” is his government name. He is a Hanoverian owned by my trainer, Hannah Lavin, who was the other rider with me yesterday. He jumps the 1.30m as his day job but loves toting adult ammy me around in the woods for fun.
Very impressive! I saw his brand so knew he was a warmblood. He’s just massive all over without being drafty, and seems like a fine fellow. I do prefer smaller horses, though - 15 hands and under.
Oh I whole heartedly agree - he is a lot of horse to package together. Lovely to ride and jump when you get it right and he is a very generous soul. I am fortunate to be able to ride him while I don’t have my own horse. But the next one I own is going to be a large pony, that is for sure lol.
Was this the Halloween pace? So many memories of taking my green ottbs to those, all the fun costumes 
.
I really miss riding Hunter paces. I have to find a horse to lease so I can do it again.
Yes - but post-Halloween. I didn’t see quite as many costumes this year.
Thank you for volunteering! I was there on Sunday 
I always wonder as people ride by whether I know them.
Did you hear reports of people getting lost in the Winthrops’ forest north of the river? It’s very easy to get lost in there.
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