invited to a hunter pace - Carrollton Hounds

[Lori B]

A lovely couple new to my barn has invited me to come to a hunter pace. This sounds fun, I think -- you can choose to not jump at all, do the 2'6", or the 3' fences, and you go out in a pair or larger team. The course is a little over 2 miles.

Please tell me what to expect in terms of turnout, experience, etc. I was planning on wearing my navy dressage coat, tan breeches, black field boots, white show shirt w/ stock tie, and black gloves. Jumping saddle, leather breastplate, white fleece fitted saddle pad, plain brown bridle. I have black woof boots w/ dark green straps that I was considering putting on my horse, but I know that boots are not normally regarded as 'correct' hunter gear. Should I leave my flash noseband at home (which is what we nearly always go in)? Other advice?

Horse and I just completed our first HT (2' fences) together, we hack out very regularly, and she is very sensible outside and with other horses. I am pretty confident of her, but less so of myself. I am leaning towards just doing the pace w/o jumping since it's our first time doing something like this. Thanks!

[SharonA]

You probably would want to find out more about the expected attire -- in our area, hunter paces tend to be pretty casual (breeches of any color, a comfortable shirt, no hunt coats, no stock ties, no worries about color or type of boots, etc.). I think people might dress slightly more neatly than at your average trail ride, but nothing approaching even informal hunt attire.

You'll have a blast!

[CC]

That attire is fine as are the boots. The rules state "proper hunting attire is requested of all riders" and what you have describes is ok including the flash.

There is also a class called second fields' choice where you can jump a few jumps if you like or go around if you like. One trail has quite a few logs which are very inviting.

And make sure you buy some raffle tickets for chances on some wonderful items on the raffle table!!

[Lori B]

CC -- thanks! Second field's choice sounds perfect for us, thanks! I'm excited, this sounds like a very nice day. And yes, I'll be in for some raffle tickets too. :-)

[Lori B]

The Carrollton Hounds website doesn't have the prizelist / info for the hunter pace posted -- does anyone here have that info?

Thanks!

[toowoomba2]

I've been to the fall hunter pace three times over the past 10 years. I hope to go again this coming weekend, so might see you there. I'll be on the white horse that's a blurr in the field (we usually do fastest time).

There's a nice combination of rolling hill fields and woods. The footing in the woods can get tricky if the weather has been wet -it gets chopped up and there are rocks and logs in some places. I usually bag it if we get a downpour the day before because of the footing. Otherwise, its a lot of fun.

Its pretty casual for turnout, basic english attire. You don't have to braid the horse.

[toowoomba2]

The Carrollton Hounds website doesn't have the prizelist / info for the hunter pace posted -- does anyone here have that info?

Thanks!

I got one in the mail last week. If I remember, I'll post the info here tonight.

[TRNasty]

I did the pace last year and they do require proper attire. But what you have listed will work just fine as CC wrote. It is a good course for a 1st timer, can get around the fences, great terrain, hills/woods, stream crossing, etc. Your flash noseband will be just fine.

Last year I attended and there was a huge turnout as mother nature had a wonderful 50 degree sunny day planned. We rode the course twice and had a great time.

Have fun!

[Lori B]

Thanks! The weather for the weekend looks promising, not supposed to rain at the end of the week, and upper 40s are predicted.

[toowoomba2]

OK, here's the class list:

1. Taylorsville Hunt Challenge: 3' fastest time
2. Fast over hurdles. 2'6" fastest time
3. Fast on Flat
4. Optimum over fences. 3' max
5. Optimum over hurdles. 2'6" max
6. Optimum flat
7. Jr Optimum time over hurdles. 2'6"
8. Family Optium time over hurdles. 2'6"
9. Novice Hunter Optimum. 2'6"
10. 2nd Fields Choice. Open competition over terrain of choice for teams that prefer to take their time.

Fastest time classes first, then optimum go whenever after that. So, no order really. But, if you want to go fast, need to show up in the morning.

[Snapdragon]

I'm planning to do this on Sun, so Lori B, I might see you! It will be our first time at a hunter pace, so I'm hoping the pone will have fun and not feel like bucking my ass off!

Crossing fingers for good weather!

[nowoncourse]

Is the Carrollton Hunter Pace at Ships Quarters?

[CC]

Is the Carrollton Hunter Pace at Ships Quarters?

Yes.

[Lori B]

According to the weather, there is now a 100% chance of rain all day Sunday. :-( It's supposed to start the night before, so it's not like we're likely to get a shot at getting done before the rain starts.

I have a cold, and I don't fancy getting drenched on a 45 degree day on horseback as a treatment plan. So unless the weather report changes strongly to the favorable tomorrow, I think I'll be regretfully bailing on this one. On the off chance that the weather does break our way, can someone PM me the address of Ship's Quarters Farm? There website doesn't include an address, and the flyer at the barn has disappeared. ????

[toowoomba2]

Here's directions:

1635 Goldsmith Drive, Westminster, MD 21157.

From Rte 27, turn onto Sullivan Rd (right if headed south from Manchester, left if headed north from Westminster).

Go 1/4 mile, take left on Ships Quarter's Ct.

Take Goldsmith Dr., then gravel lane to parking in field on left.

Can't miss it.

If weather is questionable: call 410-434-4252 after 7am

**Rain Date December 7th! **

[Lori B]

Outstanding, toowoomba, I am doing the anti-rain and anti-congestion dance as I type.

[CC]

Try the info. line tonight even. If the weather looks bad, it may be cancelled as early as this evening. If not, a call should be made by 7 am tomorrow. There is a rain date for next Sunday, Dec. 7.

[Lori B]

My cold is worse, and so is the weather report for tomorrow. 90% chance of rain starting tonight. Perhaps I'll do the rainout date. Thanks for all the lovely hunting forum encouragement. If not this one, definitely another such ride sounds very appealing.

[toowoomba2]

I'm pretty sure they have one in the spring too!

[Lori B]

It was rained out, and they are doing it on December 7, so if the weather cooperates, I'll be trying to go next week!

Now we have to start our anti-rain dance.

[Maybe]

I have insider information............. raindate may not be dec 7 as posted. Ships's Quarters may not be available that day. I will post when it becomes official.

[Lori B]

Thanks for the headsup, Maybe, keep us posted.

[ScaryPast]

It's official - The Carrollton Hounds HUNTER PACE is a GO for this Sunday, Dec. 7!! Of course, if the weather is questionable, call the hotline before you leave your barn on Sunday morning - 410-434-4252. We'll make any weather related decisions by 7am.

Hope to see you all there!

[toeknee]

I think I should be there w/ the baby on Sunday as long as it isn't too cold:)

LoriB-it sounds like you are more than prepared. The year before last was the last time I went and there were people wearing sweat pants!:eek:(riding). Some of the outfits that people were riding in were unbelievable and I was very unimpressed. Very disrespectful in my opinion.(not Carrollton Hounds fault)

...but it is a fun time and put on by a great group of people. See you there!

[toowoomba2]

Now lets hope the ground doesn't freeze! Its gonna be cold that day, brrrrr....

[goingplaces]

Can anyone wager a guess based upon previous years when the optimum time paces will start? I am thinking of getting there around noon so I don't have to stand around freezing waiting for the slower rounds to start.

[Lori B]

goingplaces, that is an excellent question. I am planning on doing the optimum flat course and MAYBE, depending on how the course looks, doing the novice 2'6" or the other slow one, and it would be great to have an idea of when to be there.

Of course, the colder it is, the lighter the attendance is likely to be, the earlier things would likely run, right?

I'm used to eventing, where you really know what time things are going to happen.

[toowoomba2]

Noon should be fine. Its pretty much first come, first serve type of set up the times I went. Fastest time was pretty much over in the first hour (they're fast, plus not as many horses enter it).

Plus, if the ground does freeze, I doubt many people would want to go fastest time.

I don't remember ever waiting around more than 3 rides ahead of me.

[Lori B]

After all of that buildup, my trainer has a conflict on the rainout date Sunday. My trainer is also my transportation source. And the folks who invited me have a conflict as well, so I think, unless someone here can give me and Katy a ride from Glenelg, and wants me on their team for optimum time flat, that I'll be sitting this one out. :-( I can always try again in the spring.

[toowoomba2]

I'm not going now either. Latest weather report is flurries tonight, low to mid 30's tomorrow, and windy! I'm not a die-hard fox hunter, so I'll be staying in a warm house instead, thinking warm thoughts as I plan a trip to FL :-)