Riding around the countryside

Hunter paces are part competitive sport and part glorified trail ride. Inspired by fox hunting, hunter paces are an opportunity for horse and rider to gallop (trotting and cantering are allowed, too) across the countryside, covering many miles and obstacles.

As a competition, there is an established optimum time and riders go off in teams of two, three or four.

But many teams eschew the competition and just go at their own comfortable pace, using the course as a learning experience, taking a jump multiple times for practice, or ignoring it altogether and going around. (Unlike a foxhunt where sometimes the only way around an obstacle is over it, all jumps on a hunter pace will have a clearly marked go ’round.)

Teams go off in three-minute intervals, so the protocol is for a non-competitive group to move aside and let a faster team pass.

Most hunter paces are informal affairs, though those that are sponsored by area hunts often require formal hunt dress: black coat, white shirt with stock tie and black dress boots and approved helmet (yellow vest optional).

Upcoming paces

Hunter paces are usually held on Sundays, generally include lunch and have a slightly lower cost for participants who preregister.

Sept. 18, Wethersfield hunter pace: Wethersfield Farm, Pugsley Hill Road in Amenia. Pace to benefit Comfort Zone Camps. Contact Cindy Dussel, 845-677-6730 or wethersfield@optonline.net.

Sept. 19, Millbrook Hunt hunter pace: Fraleigh Hill. Participants ride over miles of hunt country in the heart of Millbrook. Contact MHHunterPace@gmail.com.

Sept. 19, Old Chatham Hunt Club Open Trails Day (not a pace but an opportunity to hack) at the Old Chatham Sheepherding Co.; ride to benefit the Columbia Land Conservancy. Contact Lauren Haberland, 518-392-5252 Ext. 214, or Lauren@clctrust.org.

Oct. 10, Beckenrah hunter pace: Beckenrah Farm, home of Saida and Woody Baxt in Ancramdale. Pace to benefit the Columbia Land Conservancy. Register online at hunterpace.com.

Oct. 10, Millbrook Pony Club modified hunter pace. Fraleigh Hill. Contact Barbara Meyer at 845-877-6425.

Oct. 17, Fairfield County Hounds hunter pace. Contact FCH Kennels, 860-354-6706, or fairfieldcountyhounds@earthlink.net.

Oct. 31, Landsman Kill Trail Association, Rhinebeck, N.Y. Contact fallpace@lkta.org.

Nov. 7, Goldens Bridge Hounds fall hunter pace on Baxter Road in North Salem, N.Y. Contact eaa@aol.com.

Nov. 7, Locust Hill Farm modified hunter pace in Hyde Park, N.Y. Informal dress. Check website for registration forms and releases at locusthillfarmllc.com or contact LocustHF@aol.com.

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