Hunter Paces vary in different areas, but everywhere that we’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 few 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 we’re happy to report that looks to continue. It will be noted on the event flyer when a “Mini Pace” will be offered. These are not a competition, but riders still receive a Series point for attending and supporting, as well as all the usual social amenities.
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 times 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 occasionally apples or carrots for our mounts are 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 rest stop, generally three (3) minutes, about halfway 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 Amanda and Katie, our official photographers, are looking forward to joining us to make permanent records of the fun. Remember to smile when you see their 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. 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 anytime to visit. They try to have photos posted to the website as soon as possible and they can be ordered thru the site.
So, now that we have (hopefully) covered all bases, explained away any questions and calmed all concerns, we look forward to having you come out to join us for this upcoming 2023-24 Pace Series. And in case you have any questions that we’ve missed, please drop us an e-mail, we’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!
- 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 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. We can have a notice posted while still on the phone with the Event Organizer. If sufficient warning time, we will send out an alert to our Hunter Pace e-List as soon as we hear of an Event postponement, 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 we 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 who help so many, a helping hand!!
The WCHPace eList was created so that we can all take advantage of the speed and economy of Internet communication via e-mail. If you have e-mail and would like to be kept updated, drop us a note and ask to be included. We 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. We will be happy to add you to the list.
Once we’ve finalized the times and placements after each Event, the Quick Results are posted to the website and can be found through a link on the Events tab. When we’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 on our Western Carolina Series website at www.WCHPace.org
Simply e-mail us at director@wchpace.org or thru the contact page to be included. We will acknowledge all requests, but computers occasionally “hic-cup”, so if you don’t receive a response from us within a few days please check back or resend. We look forward to hearing from you!
That Said… Due to anti spam measures, some of our email recipients simply do not get their messages. We are also using Facebook as an alternate way of getting out the messages. If you have a Facebook page, please send a Join our group: Facebook.
