Rolling Rock Hunt Hunter Pace


Blog Post, Horsemanship / Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Rolling Rock Hunt Hunter Pace

First flight team winners...Michah Lisi, Grace Fielder Erin Phelps
First flight team winners…Michah Lisi, Grace Fielder & Erin Phelps

 

Set in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania, the Rolling Rock Hunt recently hosted a much celebrated Hunter Pace.

What is a “Hunter Pace?” For those not familiar, a Hunter Pace is a competitive event derived from foxhunting. Teams of two or three riders follow an outdoor course laid out over terrain (this one by RR Huntsman Sam Clifton)  which is meant to simulate the riding conditions encountered during a foxhunt – that is, a mixture of gaits that a foxhunter typically uses as a fox’s scent is found and followed by hounds through open country and along wooded trails. There is no set length for a hunter pace course, and it’s up to each team to guess the ideal time to complete the course and to ride accordingly.

On the day of the event, the team which completes the course in a time closest to the ideal wins first place. Most hunter paces are divided into two divisions, with different ideal times. Rolling Rock Hunter Pace had three divisions, First Flight, which face the most challenging jump course, Second Flight, not quite as challenging,  and Hilltoppers, which enjoyed a more leisurely ride.

Welcome to Blandings…

Nestled in the rolling hills of the beautiful Laurel Highlands, sits Blandings. The farm where all the action takes place!*

Getting it all together…

This happy trio worked tirelessly to Organize the event!

Huntsman Sam Clifton, Organizers Marcie Turjan & Stewart Burkland
Huntsman Sam Clifton, Organizers Marcie Turjan & Stewart Burkland

Rolling Rock Huntsman Sam Clifton
Rolling Rock Huntsman Sam Clifton

I asked Sam how he went about designing the course. His answer…Make it FUN!  That’s what a Hunter Pace is all about!

Pirate & me…in on the fun…of course!

 

To the starting point…

The Burkland family mans the starting point. Dad Will (Joint Master of Foxhounds), son Stuart & mom Pam
The Burkland family mans the starting point. Dad Will (Joint Master of Foxhounds), son Stewart, & mom Pam

 

Ready to rock n roll...Rolling rock style!
Ready to rock n roll…Rolling Rock style!
Who needs hounds? I ve got this!
Who needs hounds? I ve got this!
Ray in the Catbird seat!
Ray in the Catbird seat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A refreshing repast for a job well done! Thanks Patty!
A refreshing repast for a job well done! Thanks Patty!
Till next time!
Till next time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirate I came back "in the ribbons!"
Pirate I came back “in the ribbons!”

Stay tuned for more adventures from Blandings…

Happy Hunting!
Happy Hunting!

Blandings from Tomboy Films on Vimeo.

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