Big Sky Hounds kicks off the season with a fun competitive horse race over a cross country course, with jumps, if you like!
About this Event
Join us for a great day of horseback riding and a competitive race across beautiful big sky country.
Pre-register here until September 19th, late entries will be taken on the day of the event with an additional $10 late entry fee.
SCHEDULE
8am - Registration & Check-in
9am - Mandatory meeting to draw for start times and go over rules
9:30am - First team departs, teams depart every 10 minutes.
Prizes awarded following the return of the last team.
WHAT IS A HUNTER PACE?
The BSH HUNTER PACE is Montana-Style, with a Poker Ride element and open to both Western Trail Riders and English Hunters and Jumpers. A hunter pace is a low-key competitive event derived from foxhunting. TEAMS of two or more riders follow an outdoor course laid out over terrain which is meant to simulate the riding conditions encountered during a foxhunt - that is, a mixture of gaits that a fox hunter here typically uses as a coyote's scent is found and followed by hounds through open country and along wooded and mountainous trails, as well as over optional jumps. The trail is approximately 10 miles long, with varied topography.
It is up to each team to guess what the organizers of the pace have decided is an ideal time to complete the course and to adjust its progress accordingly. The ideal time is determined by sending out one or more test teams to ride the course before the event, though not a race, as fast as possible while still remaining safe. On the day of the event, the team which completes the course in a time closest to the ideal is placed first. The Hunter Pace is divided into two divisions, with different ideal times - a "field hunter" division for those experienced in the hunt field who wish to take the course at a faster pace, and a "trail rider" division for those who wish to travel more slowly. Although jumps are found along the course, taking them is always optional for both divisions. Even though there is a competitive aspect to a hunter pace, most riders simply regard it as an enjoyable way to spend a day in the countryside with their mounts and congenial company. The placings are almost secondary. However, entry fees will be held in a jackpot that will be awarded to the winning teams in each division. Additionally, two check stations will be set up along the course, completing a 3 card poker hand and designed to simulate a "check" and as a way to keep horses and riders from going too fast. A cash prize will be awarded to the best poker hand. Riders who choose to jump every jump on the course will be awarded an additional card.
Non-riding volunteers are always needed to help with registrations, with timings at the start and finish points, and at the riders' rest stops. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact us.
Lunch is provided with your registration, as well as a certificate for one free capping fee to ride to hounds with BSH during its 2019-20 season.
Hunter Pace Entry Fee: $60 each horse/rider combo. Juniors (18 and under) $45. Fees will be placed into prize money pots for each division and awarded to the winning team, as well as a cash prize for the best poker hand. A portion of the fees will benefit the feed and care of the Big Sky Hounds.
Horses are available for lease from Montana Horses, Inc. call 406 579-4060.
Please contact us at hounds@montanahorses.com, call Renee at 406 579-406 or Liz at 406 599-0159, or see www.bigskyhounds.com.
See you at the Pace!
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Date And Time
Sat, September 21, 2019
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM MDT
Location
3216 Reese Creek Rd
3216 Reese Creek Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
Refund Policy
No Refunds
OrganizerLiz Richards And Renee Daniels-Mantle
Organizer of Big Sky Hounds Hunter Pace