As the weather gets cooler, you’re ready to take your horse on the road a bit, but don’t want to show. That’s why it’s great to be in hunter/trail pace season, with plenty of opportunities in New Jersey to try this low-key, fun competition.
The Monmouth County Hunt will have two more themed paces this fall starting at their hunt kennels, 50 E. Branch Road, Allentown. On Oct. 11, the theme is tack sale and meet a foxhound. The final pace Nov. 1 offers thoroughbred challenge awards and a tailgate contest. All jumps have go-arounds.
There are three divisions, with the fee $55 for adults and $35 for juniors. Both English and western riders are welcome, with protective headgear, of course. For more information, go to this link
The Essex Foxhounds have added a pace Oct. 25 at their usual venue, Cedar Lane Farm on Homestead Road in Oldwick. For more on Essex, go to www.essexfoxhounds.org.
The Spring Valley Hounds’ hunter pace is Nov. 1 in Allamuchy, Warren County. There are six divisions, including a “fossil” section for which the ages of the two riders on a team must add up to 110. The fee is $50 per rider. Teams go out from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. For details, go to http://www.springvalleyhounds.com/hunter-paces.html
There’s a grand prize of $500 for the best performance in two of the three Spring Valley paces this year.