WELCOME TO THE 2021-2022
WESTERN CAROLINA HUNTER PACE & TRAIL RIDE SERIES

            The 2021-2022 Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series will be underway shortly and we eagerly anticipate enjoying your presence as a part of it all.  We currently have fifteen events tentatively scheduled, with the possibility of a new group joining us. The regular season is followed closely with cumulative awards and ribbons going to high score individuals in each division and special attendance plaques at our special Year End Awards Gathering and Trail Ride.

            Hunter Paces vary in different parts of this country, but everywhere that I’ve ever heard, they are a fun way to get out and about with our horses, enjoy trails we normally don’t have access to and compete in a friendly game.  As with recent seasons, the Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series Events will normally be between six (6) and twelve (12) miles in length. The individual flyers should also give you some brief info as to the terrain and any other particularities to that individual Event. The past couple of years, many of our organizers have offered a shorter "Mini Pace" for those of us with very young, old, or recovering mounts (or selves), and it looks like that will continue. It will be noted on the event flyer when a "Mini Pace" will be offered. These are not competitions, but riders will still receive a Series point for attending and supporting.

            The Field Hunter Division will continue very much in the traditional manner with an “optimum time” set prior to the event by a rider who has ridden the trail at a Foxhunting Pace.  A timekeeper will track “on-course” time for each team and the team coming the closest to the Optimum, whether over or under, will be declared as winner of the Field Hunter Division for the respective Event.

            Our Trail Rider Division has been created from the more traditional Hill Topper Division in which the trails are taken at a more sedate pace.  The terrain and scenery are expected to have much to do with these ride times.  The winning time for the Trail Rider Division will be determined by averaging the middle half of the ride teams.  For example: if there are twenty (20) teams, the time of the fastest five (5) teams and the slowest five (5) teams will be put aside and the middle ten (10) team times will be averaged.  A maximum time limit may be set by some organizations and riders will be notified of this in advance. 

            Each group uses their own varied terrain and thus each Event tends to have its own distinctive flavor.  And speaking of flavor, fox hunting has always been very much a social event.  Thus, most of our Hunter Paces continue to offer a variety of foods, according to season and preferences.  Normal fare can be anything from soup and a sandwich in the fall, thru chili or stew during the winter, or cold salads and picnic style sandwiches for the warm weather rides.  Coffee, soda, tea, cookies and/or cake, chips and other accompaniments as well as apples or carrots for our mounts are also usually offered.  As trying to estimate the number of riders and food quantities needed, can be difficult, some Organizers opt to have a caterer on site for riders to either brown bag or purchase their lunch.  When this is the case, the flyer will make notation of it and entry fees are lowered accordingly. 

Lest our riders get too taxed with their riding efforts, and to allow our mounts a short respite, there is usually a required rest stop, generally three (3) minutes, about half way thru the course at which riders are offered such refreshments as water, juice, cookies, candy and/or the traditional “stirrup cup”.

            Jumps vary in size and style according to the group and terrain and are traditionally taken by the Field Hunters.  However, in this Series ALL jumps are optional, and riders may enjoy or avoid them at their personal preference and that of their mount.  Because we are concerned about safety, we strongly recommend ALL riders wear helmets while those taking jumps are REQUIRED to wear protective head gear.

            Attire, once similar to the formal hunt suits, has also become relaxed in this area.  Over the years the Paces in this Series have totally dispensed with any dress requirements and there is even the annual Halloween costume contest where you might find all manner of strange creatures riding about!  But normally, breeches and shirt, jeans and sweatshirt, slacks and tee-shirt, for examples, or basically any comfortable, neat, safe riding attire is fine.  Likewise, the focus of your mount's attire should be on safety and comfort whether that means English, Western, a mixture, or something entirely different.

            Once again Lou, our official photographer, is looking forward to joining us to make permanent records of our fun. Remember to smile when you see his camera lens pointed in your direction, and don’t be shy about asking if you’d like some posed or “pre-planned action” shots of you and your mount. I may occasionally be seen with camera in hand as I try to cover alternate locations or fill in. Whether we capture your photo candid or posed, there’s never any obligation; purchase if you like or just enjoy seeing yourselves on the website. Stop by my rig (black F150 Extended Cab w/turtle top & old gray 2-horse trailer) or Lou’s black Escape anytime to visit or pick up photos you’ve ordered earlier and prepaid.  Now that we’ve entered the digital age, we try to have photos posted to the website by the weekend following an event and they can be ordered thru the site using PayPal or via email and mailing your check. Orders will go into the photo lab upon receipt of your payment and we can mail your photos, bring them to the next Hunter Pace or drop them at Re-Ride for you to pick up at your leisure. Your preference.

            So, now that I have (hopefully) covered all bases, explained away all questions and calmed all concerns, we look forward to having you come out to join us for this upcoming 2021-22 Pace Series.  And in case you have any questions that I’ve missed, please call or drop me an e-mail, I’ll be happy to answer any further queries.  We want YOU to join US.  Really, you’ll be glad you did; and better yet, bring a friend or two!

A couple of REGULATIONS to keep in mind:

• All Riders are requested to wear protective head gear, but those riders opting not to take any jumps may sign a special waiver and exercise their option to dispense with helmets at some Events (if so allowed, per the requirements of the organization’s insurance company and property owners).
• Proof of a current, negative Coggins test is required at all Events.  This is a state law.

A few general reminders:

        Events are usually scheduled two weeks apart to allow the following weekend as a rain date.  As weather can be very different just a few miles away here in our beautiful foothills, it’s always prudent to check our website the morning of the event. I can have a notice posted while still on the phone with the Event Organizer.  If sufficient warning time, I will send out an alert to our Hunter Pace Email list as soon as I hear if an Event is postponed so check your email and our website before dialing the phone.  But if weather is questionable and you don’t have internet access at home, you can double check either the evening before or the morning of the event by calling the hosting organization’s contact person as listed on their flyer.  In most cases you will be calling into their cell or if a landline an outgoing message will be on their answering machine, especially if the event has been postponed.

        Normally I have all the paperwork for several days after events. Results will be posted to the Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series website, once calculated - usually by the night after the event.

        The event organizers are responsible for distribution of their event’s ribbons and should therefore be contacted directly if you place and your ribbon does not arrive in a timely manner.

PEER – Polk Equine Emergency Rescue – You may have noticed the PEER Trailer and volunteers at some of the events over the past seasons, and you’ll likely see more of them.  Be sure to stop by their displays to check it out, thank them and visit.  PEER is a non-profit organization devoted to large animal rescue in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. Donations are always gratefully accepted. (PEER, PO Box 1237, Tryon, NC 28782) Let’s give this great local organization, ready to help in an emergency, a helping hand!!

COMPETITORS, PLEASE TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE ELECTRONIC AGE WE ARE LIVING IN 

            So that we can all take advantage of the speed and economy of Internet communication via e-mail, I instituted my Hunter Pace Email List.  If you have e-mail, drop me a note and ask to be included.

           I don’t mean to play favorites, but the members of the Hunter Pace Email List are the first to know of any schedule changes, new Events, weather reschedules, etc.   I will be happy to add you to the list. Once I've finalized the times and placements after each Event, I initially post the Quick Results, which can be found thru a link on the Events tab. When I've gotten stats into the main system the Official Results and top placements cycle through and the site automatically tallies the Series standings for all interested parties to view here on our Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series website. 

            Simply e-mail me thru the website to be included.  I will acknowledge all requests, but computers occasionally “hic-cup”, so if you don’t receive a response from me within a few days please check back or resend.  I look forward to hearing from you!

That Said… Due to anti spam measures, many of our email recipients simply do not get their messages.  We are also using Facebook as an alternate way of getting out the message.  If you have a Facebook page, please like our page: Facebook Link WCHPACE.