Frequently Asked Questions

 

GENERAL RULES

• All riders MUST wear an approved helmet and appropriate footwear. There are no requirements for tack—all disciplines are welcome.

• Please be aware that you are riding on private land and are doing so at the grace of landowners who have existing relationships with MHC. 

• If you knock down or damage a fence, please alert the pace staff on your return.

• Pass with care and caution—do not canter within 50 feet of another team. Let other teams know you are coming up behind them and wait for the team ahead to acknowledge and move out of the way for you to pass.

• Please do not jump fences that are not on the course.

• MHC reserves the right to eliminate riders and teams who display unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior.

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HOW DO I REGISTER FOR PACES?

• Registration opens up at 9:30am, in the club house and ends at 2pm.
  $35 per person per team, cash, check or venmo. 

• MHC also requires release of liability forms for all riders, including minors. Releases for minors MUST be signed by a parent or legal guardian (NOT a trainer). You can print these forms and releases -here

• MHC requires a current negative Coggins

• High/Fast going between 10 & 10:30 and no High/Fast will be permitted after 10:30, and no Optimum will be permitted until all registered High/Fast have started &/or after 10:30

• For consideration of our staff, last rides on course will be no later than 2:30- please check in with start before 2:30pm. Riders who come to start after 2:30pm will not be guaranteed to go
  on course. ​​

 

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A TEAM?

• A team must contain at least 2 riders.

• To be considered a junior team, you must have 2 juniors, unless there is a rider under 9, who may ride with an adult and classify as a junior team​
   

WHAT DO WE WEAR?

• All riders MUST wear an approved helmet and appropriate footwear. There are no requirements for tack—all disciplines are welcome.

• Some teams like to coordinate and have fun costumes, others like to wear traditional fox chasing clothes, typically ratcatcher. 

 

WHAT IS THE FOOTING AND TERRAIN LIKE AT YOUR PACES?

• Hunter paces are meant to emulate the fox chasing experience and are held in the MHC hunting territory. This includes open fields, manicured trails, some rougher trails, hills, and mud.

• Our courses are well marked and any holes or other ground hazards are flagged when we are able. Generally, we try to avoid these when laying the course. Nature finds a way, however, so please mind your surroundings and speed.

  • Flat Course is marked with BLUE RIBBONS

  • Low Course is marked with YELLOW RIBBONS

  • High Course is marked with RED RIBBONS

• All jumps have the option to go around.

• No water crossings

 

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HOW DO YOU DO PLACINGS?

• A hunter pace is a competition, though many ride them for fun and pleasure. There is an optimum time for each course and the goal is to come as close to it as possible by riding the course appropriately for the weather and conditions. You can be over or under it and still be in the ribbons, but the faster or the slower you ride, the farther your chances.

• We try to have the awards posted online to our Facebook Page 24 to 36 hours after Pace Day.

• Ribbons will be available for the winners and can be obtained by contacting Kimber by clicking here