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Hunter Pace

October 17
GMHA Grounds · 5491 South Road, S. Woodstock, VT 05071

GMHA Staff Photo

Nick Goldsmith Photography
Nick Goldsmith Photography
Come and enjoy the hunt country surrounding GMHA at the annual Hunter Pace. Hunting & hacking pace offered with teams up to 4. Costumes encouraged!

Entries Open: September 17, 2026

Entries Close: October 8, 2026

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Hunter Pace — Event Details

This is a team event!  There are two divisions:

  • Hunting Pace (faster)
  • Hacking Pace (leisurely)

The optimum time is set beforehand and is not known by the riders.  You should set your own pace according to good sense and your horse’s condition and fitness level.

Teams of up to three (4) riders each, and costumes or matching outfits encouraged! 

  • If more than 4 riders, please split into two teams from the same barn/group and we’ll send you out one team after the other.
  • If you have less riders, teams of 2 are accepted.
  • You may enter as an individual, but riders under the age of 18 cannot ride alone.  An adult must accompany them.  We’ll do our best to put you on another team, but placement is not guaranteed.

Schedule:

  • Saturday, October 17th:  Arrivals/Check-in begins at 7:30am
    • Post entries will not be accepted.  Everyone MUST be pre-entered by the closing date of October 8, 2026
    • Parking for trailers/tow vehicles is in the main trailer lot between the office and the large white Upwey barn.  Car parking in front of the tie-rails of A & B barns.
    • If stabling the night before, arrivals to start after 3pm on Friday.  Bring your own bedding/hay, or preorder by Monday (10/12) prior to the event to be delivered to your stall ahead of arrival.  Note – there is to be no riding/schooling on Friday if you arrive the day before.  Trail riding from grounds on Friday not permitted.  You can hand walk or graze your horses.
    • Stalls must be stripped clean of all hay/shavings/trash/bailing twine prior to departure.  Stalls left dirty after the event will be invoiced a $50 dirty stall fee.
  • Start times will be assigned and sent to you via email provided on your entry form on Wednesday prior to event.
  • The pace will begin at 9:00/9:30am leaving from the GMHA grounds at the steward’s booth between the White Arena & Dust Bowl warm-up ring.
    • Report to the starter/timer 5-10 minutes before your start time. Teams are sent out at 3-minute intervals.
  • The course is approximately 7.5 miles with a variety of XC fences throughout (there is a non-jumping option around every fence).  Fences range in height from 2′ to 2’11”.
  • No food truck service – plan on packing a lunch/snacks for after your ride.
  • FREE cider donuts served by Cocoa Chaud until we run out and available at the Full Cheek Cafe starting at 7:30am
    • Miriam of Cocoa Chaud will be here selling her French inspired gourmet coffees, cocoa, & hot cider in the morning.
  • Overnight stabling available at an additional cost (stalls must be stripped clean upon departure or $50 cleaning fee applies):
    • $60 night – non-GMHA Members
    • $45 night – GMHA Members
    • Hay & Shavings must be preordered by Monday prior to event & will be delivered to your stall prior to arrival.
      • Hay – $12/bale
      • Shavings – $13/bale

Water stop:  There will be a water stop, or “hold,” roughly 5.5 miles in with water available for your horse. You do not need to stop for any specified time, but the Optimum Time for each division does include an extra 10-minutes for this hold.

AWARDS:  Prize & ribbons awarded in each division and BEST TEAM COSTUME! Placings are based on how close each team gets to the optimum time for their division.

Optimum time will be shared when the results are final.

 

Volunteers needed to help with start/finish timing, hospitality, trail/jump observers, and traffic crossings.  Please email Jill@gmhainc.org if interested, or select the Volunteer button to the right 🙂

Event Hub

Enter & Register

Entry Form & Waiver (coming soon)
Print, fill out, & return completed entry via mail or email to Jill@gmhainc.org

Schedule & Logistics

Team Ride Times (coming soon)

Stabling & On-site Services

Stabling Assignments (coming soon)

Volunteers Needed

Sign Up to Volunteer

Horse Health Requirements

GMHA requires a negative Coggins and proof of current rabies and influenza vaccination for each horse that comes on the property.  Rabies titers are accepted within one year of event date and must accompany a note from your veterinarian explaining the reason why the vaccine could not be administered.

Please note that the State of Vermont requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days or Exhibition Permit from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Animal Health office for any horses entering the state. GMHA does not require these documents with entry, but the VT Agency of Agriculture may enforce these regulations at any time.

Complete Horse Health Requirements

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Event Contacts

Secretary

Jill Bogert

GMHA Staff
Event Manager, Volunteer Coordinator
(802) 457-1509
Jill@gmhainc.org
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Volunteers Needed!

Jump in and be part of the action—no experience needed! We’ll train you, feed you, and thank you with an appreciation gift. Learn about volunteering at GMHA.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Details

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