By Leigh Ballard
Spirits were high for horses and riders alike at the Longreen Hounds Hunter Pace held September 21 in Moscow, TN. Every year since 1957 when the hunt club was formed, Longreen has kicked off the season with a fundraiser, the Hunter Pace, which gives members and friends an opportunity to rub shoulders and start the season with loads of fun while fulfilling the important purpose of raising funds for kennel expenses for the hounds.
This year’s event took place on the beautiful rolling Loose Horse Farms property, home of Hugh and Pam Boone, Mark and Jane Harris, and Rick and Tammy Folk. After the previous afternoon and evening’s prodigious rains, there was some question about whether the weather would clear. But, no worries – the day dawned crystal clear and vibrant blue with mild and breezy conditions that were just right to generate a few bucks from the horses as they traversed the green hills!
The hunter pace is a timed event, cross country, which simulates a foxhunt over trails and open country. Teams of 2-3 riders set out at 3 minute intervals. Riders may choose to follow a jumping course or a flat course. The hunter pace had two courses, one about four miles (considered the “easy” course) and the other about seven miles, which was a little more difficult and included the “roller coaster” area of hills. Carriages followed a different course.
The times expected over the courses in the hunter pace simulate what happens in the hunt field. In a real hunt there is a good bit of time moving slowly or standing and listening to the hounds. In the hunter pace, there was some standing at the snack and beverage break area; in the hunter pace no one is expecting to go tearing around wildly as if they are chasing a fox! The hunter pace is a relaxed affair. Many riders don elaborate costumes and ride off to the course laughing. In fact, the costumery is a big part of the fun, and the costume competition generates some real creativity geared toward winning!
For example, a few of this year’s costumed teams were the The Sister Act, “nuns,” and the “mermaid” Lady Go Divas. And there was a Julia Childs carriage team, based on the bestselling book Julie and Julia, about the chef Julia Childs and the blogger who idolizes her. Even Scooter, the “Julia” carriage horse, wore her pearls! Other costumed teams included Cowboys and Indians, a Vampire riding a horse with bloody tooth marks on its neck, and a pair decked out in patriotic garb. The winner of the costume class was a three-way tie: The Sister Act: Kim Williams, Michelle Byrd, and Kim Michelson; Lady Go Divas: Dawn Hinton and Susan Gustafson; and the carriage Julie & Julia, with Rosemarie Lawson and Ashley Phelps.
Winners of the Jumping Pace were Francesca and Egan Spoltore. Winners of the non-jumping long course were Andrea Baioni and Terri Draper. Winners of the non-jumping short pace were Ed and Laurie Apple.
Two of the youngest pacers were 9-year-old Maddie Mueller, riding with her dad Allen, and 9-year-old Mae Mae Wilson, riding with her mother Elizabeth.
After the pace, riders and friends enjoyed food and beverages at the barn.
Spirits were high for horses and riders alike at the Longreen Hounds Hunter Pace held September 21 in Moscow, TN. Every year since 1957 when the hunt club was formed, Longreen has kicked off the season with a fundraiser, the Hunter Pace, which gives members and friends an opportunity to rub shoulders and start the season with loads of fun while fulfilling the important purpose of raising funds for kennel expenses for the hounds.
This year’s event took place on the beautiful rolling Loose Horse Farms property, home of Hugh and Pam Boone, Mark and Jane Harris, and Rick and Tammy Folk. After the previous afternoon and evening’s prodigious rains, there was some question about whether the weather would clear. But, no worries – the day dawned crystal clear and vibrant blue with mild and breezy conditions that were just right to generate a few bucks from the horses as they traversed the green hills!
The hunter pace is a timed event, cross country, which simulates a foxhunt over trails and open country. Teams of 2-3 riders set out at 3 minute intervals. Riders may choose to follow a jumping course or a flat course. The hunter pace had two courses, one about four miles (considered the “easy” course) and the other about seven miles, which was a little more difficult and included the “roller coaster” area of hills. Carriages followed a different course.
The times expected over the courses in the hunter pace simulate what happens in the hunt field. In a real hunt there is a good bit of time moving slowly or standing and listening to the hounds. In the hunter pace, there was some standing at the snack and beverage break area; in the hunter pace no one is expecting to go tearing around wildly as if they are chasing a fox! The hunter pace is a relaxed affair. Many riders don elaborate costumes and ride off to the course laughing. In fact, the costumery is a big part of the fun, and the costume competition generates some real creativity geared toward winning!
For example, a few of this year’s costumed teams were the The Sister Act, “nuns,” and the “mermaid” Lady Go Divas. And there was a Julia Childs carriage team, based on the bestselling book Julie and Julia, about the chef Julia Childs and the blogger who idolizes her. Even Scooter, the “Julia” carriage horse, wore her pearls! Other costumed teams included Cowboys and Indians, a Vampire riding a horse with bloody tooth marks on its neck, and a pair decked out in patriotic garb. The winner of the costume class was a three-way tie: The Sister Act: Kim Williams, Michelle Byrd, and Kim Michelson; Lady Go Divas: Dawn Hinton and Susan Gustafson; and the carriage Julie & Julia, with Rosemarie Lawson and Ashley Phelps.
Winners of the Jumping Pace were Francesca and Egan Spoltore. Winners of the non-jumping long course were Andrea Baioni and Terri Draper. Winners of the non-jumping short pace were Ed and Laurie Apple.
Two of the youngest pacers were 9-year-old Maddie Mueller, riding with her dad Allen, and 9-year-old Mae Mae Wilson, riding with her mother Elizabeth.
After the pace, riders and friends enjoyed food and beverages at the barn.
