The New England Hunter Trials have have been held every fall since 1932, with the various New England hunts taking turns hosting the competition. The Hunter Trials is designed as a competition for hunter type horses, but have become a wonderful test for horses of all disciplines, especially eventers. These include horses and riders that hunt regularly with a recognized hunt as well as horses and riders not affiliated with a hunt.
The purpose of the Hunter Trial is to determine the best cross-country hunter horse or group of hunter horses. The ideal hunter horse is capable of negotiating the natural obstacles on course while also giving the rider a safe and enjoyable ride.
The hunter trial 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. Divisions include Novice 2'6", Seniors/Open 3'6", and Heard Cup/Open High 4'0".
New England Hunter Trials 2023
In 2023, Green Mountain Hounds and North Country Hounds will jointly host the New England Hunter Trials on Sunday, October, 15th, at beautiful Huntington Farm in South Strafford, VT. The Hunter Trials will offer Qualified Divisions for active foxhunters as well as Open Divisions available to everyone.
The course will include 20 to 25 obstacles of natural design such as might be found at a hunt. Hunt-specific challenges such a quick stop (Hold Hard), a quick exit (Gone Away), and opening and closing a fence will be included. Each obstacle is judged from the perspective of easy and smooth execution.
Back again this year: The competition will include a Team Chase Division open to hunt members and non-members alike. In this division, teams of 2 or 3 riders ride the hunt course for optimal time similar to a hunter pace. Jumps are optional.
Take advantage of the great opportunity to ride this lovely venue with the friendliest people from all over New England. Click here for more information and entry form.
New England Hunter Trials 2022
(Photo of MERRIE HURWITCH AND SHILOH
courtesy of Myra Hudson Photography)
In 2022, Green Mountain Hounds and North Country Hounds jointly host the New England Hunter Trials on Sunday, October, 23rd, at beautiful Huntington Farm in South Strafford, VT. The day was glorious, the jumps wonderful, and thanks to the organizers and volunteers, the 2022 Hunter Trials was a great success!
Placings
CONGRATULATIONS to our wonderful junior riders Isabelle Gilbert for placing SECOND on her fine TB Rosie and Merrie Hurwitch for tying for FOURTH on her lovely Connemara X Shiloh in the Qualified Novice Division of 23 riders! Wentworth Hunt juniors are AMAZING!!
(Photo of ISABELLE GILBERT AND ROSIE
courtesy of Myra Hudson Photography)
Congratulations to Sue Levy for winning the Heard Cup, Ginny Weiss for having the highest score and Tracie Sales for coming in a very close THIRD in the Qualified 3’6″ Division, and to all Wentworth riders for such a fabulous showing!
The top placings for the 2022 Hunter Trials are below (click on the image for a larger view). Click here for all placings and each rider’s total and fence scores.
(Click on the image for a larger view.)
Photographs from the Hunter Trials are available from Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography and Myra Hudson Photography. Check them out!
(Photo of HEARD CUP WINNER SUE LEVY AND DANNY
courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
(Photo of MARILYN MARIANO AND PHOENIX
courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
New England Hunter Trials 2021
The 2021 New England Hunts Hunter Trials was hosted by Norfolk Hunt at their Steeplechase Course in Medfield, MA, on Sunday, October 24. Riders enjoyed the wonderful weather, footing, and jumps! Our riders excelled at all course questions and brought home placings that make us very proud! Special congratulations to Tracie Sales and Ebony for keeping the Heard Cup firmly in Wentworth Hunt hands! We never doubted!!
Wentworth Hunt Placings
Heard Cup 4″
Tracie Sales and Ebony: 1st place
Sue Levy and Danny: 2nd Place
(Photo of TRACIE SALES and EBONY courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
High Point Award
Sue Levy
Senior Qualified 3’6″
Ginny Wiess: 2nd place
Maia Lindner-Liaw: 3rd place
(Photo of Ginny Wiess courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Novice Qualified 2’9″
Ike Williams: 1st place juniors, 3rd overall
George Barker: 4th place
Merritt Carey: 6th place
Pairs 2’6″
Merrie Hurwich & Isabel Gilbert: 1st place
Tracie Sales & Erin Whitmore: 4th place
Merritt Carey & Asa Woodman: 5th place
Pairs 3’6″
Sue Levy & George Barker: 1st place (tied)
Lauren Dallaire & Maia Lindner-Liaw: 3rd place
(Photo of Lauren Dallaire & Maia Lindner-Liaw courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)