Hunter Pace with more than 1 course? Want to organize one!

[MichMort]

My husband and I have organized our Hunter Pace the last 3-4 years. We want to do a second one this year, but our land will be limited this time, due to deer hunting. I’ve heard about paces that are shorter, with multiple divisions, so most riders go more than one round, and pay by the round. Our pace is normally 6-8 miles, fastest time 1-1/4 hours.

We are looking for advice on how to run a day with several shortened courses. If your Hunt does this, could you send me the link to your entry form/show bill, and/or any advice you have?

Do those Paces run fastest first, working to slower, or the other way around? How are the divisions split? Do they have sherry stops, check in points that have a person there, or collect items as they go around?

Thanks!

[Mia412]

We run a hunter pace at our farm with a course of 4-5 miles. Many riders go more than once, and they pay per ride. There are no stops or pickups. We run an all afternoon tailgate so there’s plenty of food & drink there! Classes are placed first through sixth except lead line. Our classes run like this:

Fast time flat & fences - we run these first

Optimum time flat & fences - classes split junior & senior rider, run after the fast times are over. Fences are a max of 3’.

Novice fences - optimum time, fences are a maximum of 2’. These are options along the same course

Hilltoppers class - one of our most popular! Can be flat or fences; time is calculated by averaging the fastest & slowest times for this class and seeing who is closest to the average. Many riders walk/trot this class so it’s a slower time.

Lead line - Open to all ages over a short course.(less than a mile) Riders pick up prizes along the way - stickers, temporary tattoos, lollipops, etc. All riders also get a colorful rainbow ribbon at the end.

[WildBlue]

Ours is one of the areas that tells you the optimum speed per division, but not how long the course is. Because of fixture limitations, some paces are as short as 3 or 4 miles and all the jumps (usually from 20 to 50, ranging from 18" to 3’) are optional.

First ride is full price. Additional rides for each person is half price.

The fast speed group only leaves in the first half hour. It’s a lot nicer for everyone that way as it reduces passing and getting passed, especially for newer riders or those on greenies.

In general, people want to get their money’s worth. For paces where you can be done in half an hour or less for faster riders, having challenging terrain, plenty of jumping options, and maybe some fun things like having to collect items for a prize (like a poker run) or sherry stops will give riders a fun run even if a bit short. Then pay half price and run it again…

[StellaTMK]

The paces in my area can range from 7-13 miles. Most of them have a short course and a long course. Normally at the half way point there is a 3 minute hold, at this point you can choose to continue on the long course or take a short course back and follow different color ribbons.

Same price for riding either one since the whole point is a fundraiser anyway. It’s a nice option, there was once we set off on the long second half and my horse pulled a shoe 200’yards later, we turned around and told the person at the check we changed our minds and took the short way home. A good option for horses not fit enought for the entire course or if the footing is that bad you can choose to call it an head directly back to the trailers.

If a course is less than 7 miles many will choose to tried it a second time for fun and not for time with no additional charge.

[Fancy_That]

Absolutely, Los Altos Hounds runs them the way you are looking to. It’s on XC courses with different courses and different classes for different level horses and riders and they are SHORT. Sometimes only 3-4 mins long.

Here is the description of the classes:

Lead-Line Pony Sprint. Parents of pony-loving kids, this one’s for you! Kids under 10 years old on ponies of 14.2 hands and under on a lead line. It’s about a 100 yard dash, fastest to the finish line wins.

Hilltopper Pace. Two riders riding over a course without jumps at a pace of 300 mpm (meters per minute) (medium to fast trot). Closest to optimum time wins

Introductory Pairs. Two riders riding over a course with beginner novice jumps at a pace of 325 mpm (slow canter). At least one of the two riders must jump each jump, or they both may jump. It doesn’t matter which rider jumps so long as at least one jumps each obstacle. Closest to optimum time wins.

Challenge Pace. Two riders switching horses, one jumping, at 350 mpm. At the half way station the riders must change horses. They have exactly one minute to change horses and adjust tack; a steward will hold the horses. The riders will be riding over a course with jumps at a pace of 350 mpm (canter). At least one of the two riders must jump each jump, or they both may jump. It doesn’t matter which rider or horse jumps so long as at least one jumps each obstacle. Closest to optimum time wins.

Hunter Pace. Two riders riding over a course with jumps at a pace of 375 mpm (fast canter). Both riders must jump each obstacle. Closest to optimum times wins.

Single Rider X-Country Pace. Single rider riding over a course with jumps 3’ and under, at a pace of 400 mpm (slow gallop). Rider must jump each obstacle. Closest to optimum times wins.

Team Cross Country. Three riders riding over a course with jumps 3’ and under, at a pace of 350 mpm (slow gallop). All rider must jump each obstacle. Closest to optimum times wins, except that teams that jump the last jump 3-a-breast gain 3 extra seconds closer to the optimum time.

Fastest Hilltopper. No jumps, fastest time.

Novelty Class. The Tadek Margulewicz Memorial 50/50. Two riders, one male, and one female. At the half way station the riders must change horses. They have exactly one minute to change horses and adjust tack; a steward will hold the horses. The riders will be riding over a medium length course with jumps at approximately 3’ or under, at a pace of 325 mpm (slow canter). At least one of the two riders must jump each jump, or they both may jump. It doesn’t matter which rider or horse jumps so long as at least one jumps each obstacle. Closest to optimum time wins.

Hilltopper Team Chase: Four riders riding over a course without jumps at a pace of 250 mpm (medium to fast trot). Closest to optimum time wins.

Field Hunter Team Chase: Four riders riding over a course with jumps under 3’, at a pace of 325 mpm (medium canter). All riders must jump each obstacle. Closest to optimum times wins. Highest Placed Team after the two Team Chase classes will receive The LAH Team Chase Salver

[Fancy_That]

And here is how another farm that I do Hunter Paces with runs them. Again it 's on a XC course:

Lone Tree Farm in Waterford, CA (love this place - I try to go to all their Paces - going on Aug. 5 in fact)

CLASS ENTRY FEES: $20. per Class ($10. for Class #7)

CLASS 1A - WARM-UPS - PAIRS

To be ridden over a short outdoor course, without obstacles, at a pace of 200 meters per minute - trot speed.
Closest to optimum speed wins. A good class for a green horse or a green rider. This is a pairs class.

This class sponsored by SinCal Trailer Repair.

CLASS 1B - WARM-UPS - SINGLES

Same course as 1A , but for individual riders, 200 m/m.

This class sponsored by Melvin T. Wheeler and Sons Hay.

CLASS 2A - ELEMENTARY - PAIRS

To be ridden over a course of jumps 18"-2’ at a pace of 250 meters per minute - fast trot.
At least one rider must jump over each obstacle
This class sponsored by Conlin Supply.

CLASS 2B - ELEMENTARY - SINGLES

Same course as 2A, but one rider at a time. Riders must jump each obstacle. 250 m/m.

This class sponsored by Auburn Labs, makers of APF and APF Pro.

CLASS 3A - LOW BEGINNER NOVICE - PAIRS

To be ridden over a course of low jumps, 2’ to 2’3", at a pace of 300 meters per minute - slowish canter. Water optional.
At least one rider must jump each obstacle.

This class sponsored by Christine Amber, Brian Deutscher &EquestrianTraining.com.

CLASS 3B - LOW BEGINNER NOVICE - SINGLES

Same course as 3A, but one rider at a time.
This class sponsored by Steves Chevrolet.

CLASS 4A - HIGH BEGINNER NOVICE - PAIRS

To be ridden over a course of low jumps, 2’3"to 2’9", at a pace of 325 meters per minute - canter.
At least one rider must jump. Possible water jumps.

This class sponsored by Waterford Farm Supply.

CLASS 4B - HIGH BEGINNER NOVICE - SINGLES

Same course as 4A, but one rider at a time.

This class sponsored by Ohe Sand and Gravel.

CLASS - 5 NOVICE CROSS-COUNTRY - SINGLES ONLY

One rider at a time, over obstacles about 2’11", to be ridden at 350 m/m. Course will include water.
Course length: 3/4 to 1 mile (1200 to 1600 meters) Closest to optimum time - over or under - wins.
This class sponsored by Friends of Julie Mattox.

CLASS 6 - TRAINING CROSS-COUNTRY - SINGLES ONLY

One rider at a time, over obstacles about 3’3", to be ridden at 400 meters per minute. Course will include water.
Course length: 1200 - 1800 meters
This class sponsored by the Tack Room.

CLASS 7 - OPTION (AND RE-RIDE) CLASS

This class may be entered on the day of the show! This is your chance to re-ride any class or try a different one. May be ridden as pairs or singles. This class is not awarded ribbons or prizes.
This class sponsored by Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies.

THIS CLASS ONLY - ENTRY IS ONLY $10

[MichMort]

Wow, great ideas, all of you! This is truly appreciated.
For those classes where one or both riders must jump, are there observers, or is it on the honor system?
For multiple courses on one property, are the jumps marked, and the riders find their way around, or is the whole course marked with different color markers? We use flagging tape hanging from clothespins to mark the trails. What are other ways?

[sophie]

Oh my, some of those hunter paces have very interesting options!
I love the Challenge one where riders switch horses.

In any case, a big, heartfelt THANK YOU to all the organizers. Hunter Paces are the only “competition” my horse and I have been taking part in after I decided a few years ago not to event anymore, and we love it!