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 four (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 or 3 are accepted.
• You may enter as an individual and we’ll put you on a scratch team 🙂

Schedule:

• Saturday, October 19th:  Arrivals/Check-in begins at 7:30am
  • 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 start at noon on Friday.  Bring your own bedding/hay, or preorder by Wednesday, Oct. 16th midnight to be delivered to your stall ahead of arrival.
• Start times will be assigned and sent to you via email provided on your entry form on Wednesday, Oct. 16th.
• The pace will begin at 9:00am 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).
• No food truck service – plan on packing a lunch/snacks.
  • Retail coffee service by Cocoa Chaud at the Full Cheek Café on grounds – cash, credit/debit cards accepted.
  • Free donuts and hot cider until we run out available at the Youth Center starting at 7:30am
• Overnight stabling available at an additional cost (stalls must be stripped upon departure or $50 cleaning fee applies):
  • $50 night – non-GMHA Members
  • $35 night – GMHA Members
  • Hay & shavings available at $11 each (must be preordered by Wednesday at midnight & will be delivered to your stall prior to arrival).

Hold/water stop:  There will be a “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. 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.

Official Photographer:  Nick Goldsmith Photography at https://nkgphoto.photostockplus.com/albums/

Volunteers needed to help with timing, hospitality, trail/jump observers, and traffic crossings.  Please email Jill@gmhainc.org to sign up!