The 2007-08 Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail
Ride Series is about to get underway and we eagerly anticipate
enjoying your presence as a part of it all. We currently have
fourteen events tentatively scheduled and are hopefully expecting
another new one or two to join the ranks, with year-end awards
and ribbons going to high score individuals in each division
at a special Year End Awards Gathering at a date and place as
yet to be determined.
Hunter Paces vary in different parts of this country, but everywhere that I’ve
ever heard, they are a fun way to get out and about with our horses, enjoy trails
we normally do not have access to and compete in a friendly game. As with recent
seasons, the Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series will constrain
the Events to between six (6) and ten (10) miles in length. The individual flyers
should also give you some brief info as to the terrain and any other particularities
to that individual Event.
The Field Hunter Division will continue very much in the traditional manner with
an “optimum time” set prior to the event by a rider who has ridden
the trail at a Foxhunting Pace. A timekeeper will track “on-course” time
for each team and the team coming the closest to the Optimum, whether over or
under, will be declared as winner of the Field Hunter Division for the respective
Event.
The Trail Rider Division has been created from the more traditional Hill Topper
Division in which the trails are taken at a more sedate pace. The terrain and
scenery is expected to have much to do with these ride times. The winning time
for the Trail Rider Division will be determined by averaging the middle half
of the ride teams. That is, if there are twenty (20) teams the time of the fastest
five (5) teams and the slowest five (5) teams will be put aside and the middle
ten (10) team times will be averaged. An outside time limit may be set by some
organization and the riders will be notified of this in advance.
Each group uses their own varied terrain and thus each Event tends to have its
own distinctive flavor. And speaking of flavor, hunting has always been very
much a social event. Thus most of our Hunter Paces will continue to serve a variety
of foods, according to season and preferences. Normal fare can be anything from
soup and a sandwich in the fall, thru chili or stew during the winter or cold
salads and picnic style sandwiches for the warm weather rides. Coffee, soda,
tea, cookies and/or cake, chips and other accompaniments as well as apples or
carrots for our mounts are also usually offered. To assist the Organizers in
their planning and food purchases it is always encouraged that you call in advance
to “make reservations”. You will never be held to a specific assigned
start time, but the courtesy of your call is much appreciated in planning food
and scheduling workers.
Lest we get too hungry or thirsty with our riding efforts, and to allow our mounts
a short respite, there is a required rest stop of three (3) minutes about half
way thru the course at which riders are usually offered such refreshments as
water, juice, cookies, candy and/or the traditional “stirrup cup”.
Jumps vary in size and style according to the group and terrain and are traditionally
taken by the Field Hunters. However, in this Series ALL jumps are optional and
riders may enjoy or avoid them at their personal preference and that of their
mount. Because we’re concerned about safety, all riders taking jumps are
required to wear protective head gear.
Attire, once similar to the formal hunt suits, has also become relaxed in this
area. Over the past few years the Paces in this Series have totally dispensed
with any dress preference and there is even the annual Halloween costume contest
where you might find all manner of strange creatures riding about! But normally,
breeches and shirt, jeans and sweatshirt, slacks and tee-shirt, for examples,
or basically any comfortable, neat, safe riding attire is fine. Likewise, the
focus of your mount's attire should be on safety and comfort whether that means
English, Western, a mixture, or something entirely different.
Once again, my husband Lou is looking forward to joining us to make permanent
records of our fun. Remember to smile when you see his camera lens pointed in
your direction, and don’t be shy about asking if you’d like him to
take some posed shots of you and your mount. Stop by my rig (dark green w/tan
Ford Club Cab with gray 2-horse trailer) or white company logo’d Frontier
pickup anytime to visit and take a look at photos from previous Events. Now that
we’ve entered the digital age, photos are usually posted to the web site
by the weekend following an event and can be ordered by email. I usually have
my notebook to display photos or run a slide show from earlier events. Orders
will go into the photo shop upon receipt of your check. (When I’ve brought
them along, please don’t take any photos from the album! We’ll have
copies or enlargements to you as quickly as possible.)
So, now that I have (hopefully) covered all bases, explained away all questions
and calmed all concerns, we look forward to having you come out to join us for
this up coming 2007-08 Pace Series. And in case you’ve any questions that
I’ve somehow missed, please call or drop me an e-note, I’ll be happy
to answer any further queries. We want YOU to join US. Really, you’ll be
glad you did; and better yet, bring a friend!
A FEW REGULATIONS to keep in mind:
•
All Riders are requested to wear protective head gear, but those
riders opting not to take any jumps may sign a special waiver
and exercise their option to dispense with helmets at many Events
(if so allowed, per the requirements of the organization’s
insurance company).
•
Proof of a current, negative Coggins test is required at all
Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series Events.
This is a state law.
A couple of general reminders:
Events are usually scheduled at least two weeks apart to allow the following
weekend as a rain date. If weather is questionable check our web site or
call the contact person to double check either the evening before or the
morning
of the event. In most cases there will be an outgoing message on their answering
machine, especially if the event has been postponed. If you are on my Update
Email list I will send out an alert as soon as I hear if an Event is postponed
so check your email or our web site before dialing the phone, especially
if it’s a toll call.
Normally I have the timer sheets and other paperwork for several days after
events. The results will be posted on the Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series
web site, usually the night of the event.
The event organizers are responsible for distribution of each event’s
ribbons and should therefore be contacted directly if yours do not arrive in
a timely manner.
COMPETITORS, PLEASE TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE ELECTRONIC AGE
WE ARE LIVING IN
So that we can all take advantage of the speed and economy of Internet communication
via e-mail, I’ve instituted my Hunter Pace Email List. If you have e-mail,
drop me a note and ask to be included.
I don’t mean to play favorites, but the members of the Hunter Pace Update
Email List are the first to know of any schedule changes, new Events, weather
reschedules, etc I will be happy to add you to the list. Once I’ve finalized
the times and placements after each Event I post the Official Results and top
placements as well as Series standings for all interested parties to view on
our new Western Carolina Series web site at http://www.WCHPace.org
Simply e-mail me using the CONTACTS page to be included. I will acknowledge
all requests so if you don’t receive a response from me within a few
days please check or resend. I look forward to hearing from you!
