Hello all,
Im going on my first Hunter Pace in a few weeks and I have a few questions!
The one I went to was very casual, schooling attire was fine. But check the event holder’s website and see if there are photos from past events so you can see what other people wear.
Depending on the length of your division, I think it’s probably reasonable to carry a bottle of water in the summer. Is it a formal hunter pace or more casual? If casual, I’d get a saddle pad with a pocket and toss in a bottle of water. If formal, then I’d just hydrate well the day before and morning of and have a cooler for once you’re back at the trailer.
I’ve hunter paced with 2 different hunts. One expected cubbing attire, even from non members. The other is about as casual as it gets. For the casual hunt, I’d wear a technical shirt and maybe a cooling bandana. For the more formal one, well, they don’t hold a spring/summer hunter pace, so that’s not a big deal. But basically whatever you would wear to show in, sans hunt coat.
This depends on if it’s formal or not. If formal, then a fleece, fitted saddle pad and conservative tack. If more casual, then I’d use a square pad and my normal tack. I like to add brushing boots on all fours and bell boots at least in front. I do wear spurs and carry either a crop or a fly whisk. Fly veil/bonnet too for that matter. What’s most important is that your horse and you are turned out well, tack is clean, and you are ready to have fun! 
For boots, don’t use anything that holds water. Definitely no polo’s You will most likely be crossing water a few times over. Most hunter paces offer the riders water or juice at the halfway checkpoint. I can’t imagine they’d have a problem with you carrying a bottle with you.
I was going to suggest water or juice in a flask but I saw in other posts that you are a teen, so scratch that. I would try to find out the length of the hunter pace. I’ve been out for an hour (was admittedly a bit lost) and I’ve been out for only 20 min. That would influence if I brought something with me. There is a great variety to be found in how long you’d be gone.
A white polo sounds like a good idea. Our cooler Maryland paces are run in hunting attire, the hot ones in polo shirts.
Jump gear, including boots that won’t hold water, a breastplate and/or martingale if needed. Some form of neckstrap. Crop. Flyspray beforehand.
A hunter pace averages around an hour or more, not a few minutes. It goes on hunted trails and is not a “round” in an arena. Most hunters don’t put anything on horses legs that can come unwound or get soaked or trap mud. Most Hunter paces require that you go out in a group of at least two. We usually wear matching polos, but on some occasions wear matching funny Ts or costumes. You can certainly bring water if it is not ratcatcher or formal (never seen that but I’m in the South) just make sure the water isn’t going to bang against your horse. I have a snug pax with a bottle holder but have seen fanny packs, cantle bags, can fill my flask with water (freeze half full night before), you could just hydrate well before the pace and have electrolyte chews for on the trail.
Remember that there will be a secret average time established earlier that you want to get close to for your level, so keep up the pace. Let others pass if they want and don’t run up on people on the trail. Ask if you can pass and give their horses room. Pay attention to trail markers!
Our hunter pace is approximately an hour long and we offer water to everyone halfway through the course (“Checkpoint Charlie’s”). In order to make time, the rule of thumb is walk in the woods, trot on the roads, canter in the fields. And we jump everything along the way. I’ve never once been so parched that I couldn’t endure an hour without a drink. I’d suggest that unless you have a water bottle holder that won’t bounce against your horse, you drink up before you start out.
Most people match their teammates and some even dress in costumes. We give out all sorts of fun prizes. Neat, tidy, conservative attire is always a safe choice.
No polo wraps on your horse–typically you might be crossing water, going through the woods, going through thick grass, etc. Personally, I would recommend no leg wear for your horse unless absolutely necessary. Be sure to flyspray very liberally prior to any warm weather hunter pace. Often hunter paces are through beautiful woods and farm land that may host biting flies and/or ticks. Consider using some Off or another stronger insect repellent on key locations on your horse. A tidy, well groomed horse and clean, well fitting tack are fine for any hunter pace I ever went to, you don’t need to look ready for the hunt field.
I recommend against carrying a water bottle, but definitely bring some drinks with you to refresh yourself afterwards. Obviously have some water available for your horse as well. Many respectable hunter paces offer a beverage halfway through. If you must carry water I highly recommend the snug pax for summer rides. Or you could use some type of hunting-appropriate beverage container. For clothing, I recommend a long sleeved sun shirt of some type, plus sunscreen and insect repellent for yourself. Perhaps coordinate colors with your team mates? I think a safety vest is a good idea if you will be jumping.
Most hunter paces I’ve been on are a little over an hour and 5-6 miles long, so I don’t normally bring water with me. I make sure to stay hydrated before I head out, but most that I’ve been to have water at the halfway point as well. If you really want some with you, maybe use one of those camelback backpacks that carry water in them?
For clothes, I stick to a long sleeve sun shirt to protect from the sun, bugs, ticks, etc. while in the woods and a regular pair of breeches, belt, boots, helmet, gloves, etc. If it is more formal, then make sure to check for a dress code.
For my horse, I dress him like an other schooling ride or hack, though I would stay away from polos as they could be a bit of hassle out on the trail.
Have fun!
Just treat it like a trail ride.
Our paces range from 5 to 7 miles. A pommel saddle bag can carry water bottles. Ours are very casual, even allowing western tack. Only requirement is all riders must wear ASTM approved helmets. I have jumped with water bottles and it did not seem to bother my horse at all. My rule of thumb is to always test new equipment at home first, so try jumping with your water set up at home first. Have fun! Paces are a blast!
Interesting, the one I’ve been to (very casual) was more like a XC round. https://www.lonetreefarm.net/hunter-pace-classes
Hunter pace “CLASS” vs actual Hunter Pace. http://www.fence.org/equestrian-cent…es/hunter-pace
You would have to take weather conditions into account also, as that affects scenting for hounds.
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