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It is not about the ribbons but..... we "won" one!!!

Hunting
#1

I know its kind of lucky, and not a whole lot of skill involved to “win”, but we got 6th place in the Aiken Hunter Pace Saturday (just before the bottom dropped out of the sky), and I really hope we get our ribbons from the Aiken Hunter Pace :yes:

It was my first “placing” at a hunter pace, and I just recently got the nerve to go do things like this, and showing, and cubbing, etc, so it is very special to me.

The owner of the pony that braved it with us would also love to get her ribbon, because said pony was a doll, and is only three years old! This was her first outing ANYWHERE so her mother was very proud.

We actually took it pretty darn seriously, the real foxhunters on this forum would probably have laughed at us… we sat down to dinner the night before, and “plotted” our attack.

What would we do if we were “real foxhunters”?? - we kept asking ourselves :lol:

After an hour of discussion and debate - we decided to canter anything that remotely resembled a wide trail. Walk the narrow turns, and gallop the fields.

The optimum time was apparently 58 minutes, and we got 66min. Not bad for having a small pony in tow!

I called/emailed the event planner, and she said that she would try to find our ribbons.

Now I am just crossing my fingers that we get them! I am sure she has more pressing things to do, but we are very excited!!!

#2

So you guys may not think it takes a lot of skill… but I stayed on the WHOLE TIME… and I am very proud!!! :slight_smile:

#3

Congratulations!

Here in VA the Hunter Paces are part of circuit under the VPPA. There is even a year end award for highest points in each division. We have masters that compete in the races.

When you’re talking optimum time, its is a crapshoot but its amazing how the same teams are near the optimum time each week.

#4

Congratulations! Hunter paces can be addictive. I participated in hunter paces several years before I ever started hunting. I remember how exciting it was to place and get a ribbon too! Sounds like you definitely had the right strategy going. I still love a good hunter pace.

#5

What a great accomplishment! Good for you! I hope you get your ribbons soon. Did you take pictures? I wanna see the pony!

#6

My riding partner & I once got a 2nd at a Hunter Pace out of 10 entries…let me tell you it was my most favorite ribbon that I’ve probably ever one. It was such a great time.

#7

Way to go! :yes:

#8

Congrats!

Heck I always finished one totally elated I ACTUALLY made it around in one piece and without an oxygen tank!!! :D:lol: Finishing is an accomplishment especially if you went for it!
I always warn my partners to keep yelling at me and “encouraging” me!!!

#9

A little flask and a little encouragement go a LONG way :slight_smile:

Unfortunately, we didn’t get pics, and are still waiting to hear about our ribbons… I really really want that ribbon.

My horse is a lot fitter than I, and we both earned our keep that day!!

#10

Well done! :slight_smile: I love hunter paces–and it puts a little cherry on the top when we get a ribbon. The scenery is great and heck, it is just a whole lot of fun! :smiley:

#11

I disagree – it is TOO about the ribbons. I’m sorry, but sometimes it was just really fun to have that little scrap of color to take home and look at. Even though I would tell everyone it wasn’t important, after spending all the money and time and effort, sometimes it was nice to have a tangible souvenir.

Congrats!

#12

I am doing this for the first time this weekend! This thread got me so excited; it should be a blast.

#13

Congratulations! That is just awesome! I do hope you get your ribbon-it is a special thing that first ribbon. Do send pictures!

I went to my first hunter pace March 1st (really had no idea what it entailed but was excited nontheless). This one was in Rome, GA? (where Atlanta steeplechase is held). Trailered up the night before and stayed with Elizabeth & Barry at Bits & Bytes Farm. The next morning my guy refused to load! Elibabeth threw one of her guys on my trailer for me and away we went. We all (7 or 8 of us) went out there to give our OTTB’s a change of scenery and a good time to stretch their legs…our “team” ended up winning (I got third). It was the darndest thing i have ever seen. We had so much fun and am going back (hopefully on my horse) May 4th or 5th (Sunday) for a Poker Ride (I hope they really don’t expect me to know how to play poker, otherwise I am SOL :lol:)

Here is the link from our trip in March:
http://www.bitsandbytesfarm.com/news/2008/news20080301.htm

#14

my guy refused to load!

Here in the Virginia Coal Fields we have 4 easy steps to load your mule:

  1. Park your trailer beside a utility pole with pole a few feet rear of your trailer “people escape” door.

  2. Attach a long stout rope to halter and position mule at rear.

  3. Run rope through trailer and out door with no slack and tie to utility pole.

  4. Drive trailer twenty feet forward.

Now that your mule is loaded you can head for those fun hunter paces!:slight_smile:

#15

Hunt pace ribbons are the bomb!

My daughter and I did our first one a couple years ago on ponies and got seventh place… that glorious, huge PURPLE ribbon is still my daughter’s favorite ribbon of all time!

#16

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you had a great time!!

I think it’s great you plotted out your attack. Smart.

Ahem… since you had so much fun…do you think you might be game to try actual hunting? Aw come on - you’ll have a blast. I promise. :slight_smile:

#17

My only blue ribbon on my mare was a hunter pace.

It’s the most fun possible. I did worry that I excelled at the one equestrian sport for which 1) I didn’t know the rules until the day of the competition, 2) I didn’t [and couldn’t] know where I was going until on course, and 3) my teammate and I each had a 1/2 glass of champagne before setting off.

Surely I shouldn’t conclude that I can only excel in sports for which I’m clueless, lost and drunk? :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#18

[QUOTE=Delphia;3152036]
Here in the Virginia Coal Fields we have 4 easy steps to load your mule:

  1. Park your trailer beside a utility pole with pole a few feet rear of your trailer “people escape” door.

  2. Attach a long stout rope to halter and position mule at rear.

  3. Run rope through trailer and out door with no slack and tie to utility pole.

  4. Drive trailer twenty feet forward.

Now that your mule is loaded you can head for those fun hunter paces!:)[/QUOTE]

First off, are you serious?! I can be quite gullable and times and unsure when people are jerking my chain.

Secondly, if you are serious, how in the hell would the horse get in the trailer if it is moving (or am I not getting the mental picture). Tried something similar involving a tow rope and a huge set of male “parts” aka guts. It got him on the trailer but wasn’t pretty and doesn’t make for good repeats (trailered to lesson but then could not get him back on). We were taking a lesson at Midland and he ended up spending the night. Came back the next morning and one of the caretakers for the hounds ended up getting him on; so it only took an hour and a half but he got on the trailer. Sigh…still working. Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue, patience is a vir…:smiley:

Do not want to hijack thread so PM me if you want! Interested to find out if you are serious.

#19

Sounds about right to me. And what exactly is wrong with that?

#20

Whaaaaa? Did you just channel me for a second there or what?! :lol::cool:

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