NCH Secretary

Please contact Pat Dreisbach at (802) 763-2456 or by using the Contact NCH page.

Roading begins!  Please contact the Hon. Secretary for more information.

*2012 annual membership applications and waivers are now available online*

WE HAVE A NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY. If you are aged over 18 and under 30 you can join as a Single (Young Adult) at half the cost of a Single (Senior) membership! Look into it and we look forward to seeing you shortly.

The 2012 Poker Ride will be held June 23 at Ogden's Mill Farm, Hartland, Vermont. Be there, be seen, play a great hand and have a great ride. Contact the Secretary for more details.

North Country Hounds 6th Annual Hunter Pace

                    ***************      PLEASE NOTE      ******************

Saturday, October 1, 2001  CANCELLED                                                                         


Lull Brook Farm - Reeves Road, Hartland, Vermont
Hunting & Hacking Divisions
Registration between 9:00-10:30am
Hot lunch provided
For more information contact Judy Holmes at (802) 436-1309

Information Flyers (click here) Entry Form (click here)

 

What is a Hunter Pace?

The Hunter Pace is a competitive optional jumping trail ride over a designated 8-11 mile course. Each team consists of 2-3 riders who follow a 10 mile trail to attain a predetermined ideal time. Riders are encouraged to ride the trails with common sense, walking the tougher terrain, trotting and cantering where it appears reasonable. Riders may opt to compete in the Hunting Division or the Hacking Division, which is a slower pace. Awards and trophies at the conclusion of the ride and lunch.

The optimal hunting time has traditionally been set by the Huntsman or Master of the local foxhound club, who traverse the course "as if they were riding to hounds."  Since a foxhound pack is never hunted at a full gallop, but must be cast into a variety of covers, participants in the pace are encouraged to ride the trails with common sense, walking the tougher terrain, cantering where it appears to be reasonable, and galloping the open stretches of field.  Many Hunter Paces include both a Hunting Division, in which the bolder riders compete, and a Hacking Division, which appeals to trail riders who want to enjoy the trails at a slower pace.

Usually a luncheon is provided, and the winners are pinned after the last team finishes.  Some Hunter Paces award a ribbon to the youngest and oldest rider who complete the pace, the stable whose riders have come closest to the time, some even have costumed riders competing.  Most hunter paces today welcome both Western and English riders.

Hunter Paces are held in Spring and Fall when the ground offers reasonably good footing, and when the weather cooperates.  Most, but not all announce rain dates.

Paces today offer pre-registration since many of them fill up quickly because of their wide appeal.  Hunter Paces have become a major fund raising and social event for riders who love the beauty of traversing the countryside on horseback.  You are guaranteed a day of lively fun and you may even bring home a ribbon!