Norfolk Hunt New England Hunter Trials
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Norfolk Hunt Steeplechase Course
240 North Street
Medfield, MA
The photos from the event are now available!!
https://www.kbrphoto.com/09-22-24norfolkhuntnewenglandhuntertrials
The Norfolk Hunt New England Hunter Trials are an important part of the New England Hunt experience. We hope they provide good fun and an opportunity to compete and socialize with congenial people who share similar interests in land preservation, camaraderie, and good sport with horses and hounds.
A particular goal of the Norfolk Hunt New England Hunter Trials is to encourage riders to improve their riding capabilities, so that they may have a safer and more fulfilling experience. By preparing for the trials and challenging ourselves to do a little more, we become more competent and more confident riders.
The course consists of natural obstacles typically found in hunting country. The divisions have been established to allow riders of various levels of experience (and bravery!) to participate, whether they are actually hunting or not. With the exception of Teams and Pairs, the course is ridden individually. It is not a timed event and is judged on the horse’s performance only. The majority of fences in each Division are below the maximum height.
RIDE TIMES:
First rider on course at 9:00 AM.
After entering, you will receive an email with your ride time two days prior to the event. Please be ready to ride at your given ride time.
Please make payment via venmo to @norfolkhuntclub and note the rider and classes you have entered.
Day of event entry fees will be $5 more. Preregistration will be closed at midnight on Thursday, September 19. There will be no additional individual rounds on the day of the event, but competitors can add a pairs or team chase round.
Please contact Laurian Pope (laurianpope@gmail.com) with any questions.
Please check this site for any updates.
Ken Robinson is the Official Show Photographer for the Hunter Trials:
https://www.kbrphoto.com/about
Example photos:
https://www.kbrphoto.com/05-18-24norfolkhunt
Individual entries closed at Midnight on 9/19.
The courses will BE open to walk on saturday, September 21
Maps will be posted here and available in a Tupperware container at the start of the courses, under the "Start" sign.
Order of Classes:
Open
Qualified Open
Heard Cup
Qualified Novice
Novice Open
Team Chase
Pairs
important documents
*Qualified Classes are limited to Qualified horses only and require a signed letter from your MFH (see link above). Please have these letters emailed to Laurian Pope (laurianpope@gmail.com) no later than September 19.
*There will be a “hold hard” somewhere on course in all divisions in which riders must halt their horses at the sound of a hunting horn or judge’s call. Horses must stand quietly until the judge tells the rider to proceed.
*Open divisions will not have to open the gate or do the lead over.
Pricing
Novice, Open, Heard Cup $75
Juniors (under 18) $50
Pairs $50 per rider
Team Chase $50 per rider
Temporary stabling will be available at Apple Knoll Farm. Please contact Adri Kerr at (774)287-1493.
NOTE: THE LAST DAY FOR SCHOOLING OVER NORFOLK HUNT CLUB STEEPLECHASE PROPERTY FENCES
IS FRIDAY, SEPTMEBER 13. STRICTLY ENFORCED.
Riders MUST register & submit a waiver of liability.
If you have already submitted an online waiver in 2024, no need to re-submit.
Ride times
After entering, you will receive an email with your ride time two days prior to the event. Please be ready to ride at your given ride time.
Norfolk Hunt New England Hunter Trials Classes
Qualified
Jumps ~3'3”
For riders, who have hunted with a New England Hunt, riding the horse/pony they regularly hunt. Rider-horse combination must have hunted with the New England Hunt at least 4 times in the current calendar year. Ribbons will be awarded separately for junior and senior riders. Juniors may compete in this class.
Open
Jumps ~3'3”. Any rider-horse combination, provided horse has not competed in earlier classes. Juniors may compete in this class. All professionals MUST compete in the Open division.
Novice Qualified & Novice Open
A shorter, lower course with jumps ~2'0" to 2'6"
(a) Novice Qualified
For riders, riding the horse/pony they regularly hunt, who have hunted with a New England Hunt at least 4 times in the current calendar year.
(b) Novice Open
For any rider wishing to ride the Novice course.
Horses competing in Novice divisions may NOT compete in any other division except Pairs and Team Chase. Riders competing in Novice Open division may NOT compete in the qualified divisions, but may compete in pairs and in open on another horse.
Heard Cup
Jumps ~4’. A Qualified Class for riders and horses that have not competed in earlier classes.
Team Chase
The Team Chase will follow the Novice Open course. This is an unjudged event in which anyone can participate. Teams of between 2-4 riders and individual team members can pick and choose which jumps they want to jump. The team that demonstrates safety, enthusiasm, and proper turnout will receive the Ruth Lawler Team Chase Award.
Pairs
Jumps ~ 2’ - 3'
Teams of riders to ride abreast or sequentially at their discretion. Feel free to jump whatever side each individual is most comfortable with. Abreast scores more points. Order may change during the course. No restrictions on entries. Horses and riders may have competed in earlier classes.
Awards
Trophies and awards will be given at the end of classes and scoring completion. Join us for an awards celebration at the end of day!
Courses
Novice - about 15 x-country fences (about 2'6") plus a "gone away," a "hold hard," and a lead-over.
Qualified and Open - 20-25 x-country fences (about 3') including a modest ditch, plus a "gone away," a "hold hard," a lead-over and a mounted gate opening and closing (2 minute time limit).
Pairs - 10 x-country fences (choose 2’6” or 3' option)
Heard Cup- 20-25 x-country fences (about 4') including a modest ditch, plus a "gone away," a "hold hard," a lead-over and a mounted gate opening and closing (2 minute time limit).
Jumps are numbered sequentially and must be taken in that order. Missing a fence will mean elimination.
Team Chase - The Team Chase will follow the Novice Open Course. This is an unjudged event in which anyone can participate. Teams of between 2-4 riders and individual team members can pick and choose which jumps they want to jump. The team that demonstrates safety, enthusiasm, and proper turnout will receive the Ruth Lawler Team Chase Award. This year’s Team Chase is sponsored by North Bridge Equine Associates. Thank you to our generous sponsor!
Special obstacles
Gone away - move from hunting pace to gallop to hunting pace over a designated interval. Judged on change in pace and horse's obedience.
Hold hard - stop at the sound of the hunting horn or judge's call and stand quietly until told to proceed. Judged on obedience.
Lead over - dismount and lead horse over a low rail. Dismount, run up stirrups, lower top rail, lead horse over low rail, replace top rail. Remount. A mounting block will be provided. If horse will not cross rail within two minutes, a penalty will be imposed. Rider should continue.
Attire
Formal hunt attire for Qualified divisions, hunt or show attire for all others. Protective headgear is required. Competitors may wear a protective vest if they so desire.