About The New England Hunter Trails →
2023 New England Hunter Trials →
2022 New England Hunter Trials Results →
2021 New England Hunter Trials Results →
Morgan Princiotta and Ollie
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
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".
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Click here for 2023 Hunter Trials entry form and more information.
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Green Mountain Hounds and North Country Hounds will again jointly host the New England Hunter Trials at beautiful Huntington Farm in South Strafford, VT.
Non-hunt members are very welcome!! The Hunter Trials will offer Qualified Divisions for active foxhunters as well as Open Divisions available to everyone. Take advantage of the great opportunity to ride this lovely venue with the friendliest people from all over New England.
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.
First class begins at approximately 8:00am. Ribbons in all Divisions at approximately 2:00pm (Subject to change).
Catered lunch is included! Wentworth members will also provide a pot-luck breakfast that will get you going (and perhaps help with your nerves).
Click here for a description of the divisions, courses, scoring, and rules.
This very handy booklet created by Green Mountain Hounds provides all you need to know about the divisions and trophies, eligibility, course conditions, rules and scoring, and what to expect when competing in the New England Hunter Trials.
ISABELLE GILBERT AND ROSIE
(Photo 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!
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!
GINNY WEISS: High Score in Qualified 3’6″ Division
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!!
Click here for the official placings and each rider’s total and fence scores.
The top placings for the 2022 Hunter Trials are below (click on the image for a larger view).
2022 New England Hunter Trials –
Top Placings
(Click on the image for a larger view.)
Click here for photographs from Suddenly Still Photography.
Professional and always amazing photographs from the 2022 New England Hunter Trials are available from Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography.
HEARD CUP WINNER SUE LEVY AND DANNY
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
MARILYN MARIANO AND PHOENIX
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
TRACIE SALES: Heard Cup Winner
Click here for the official placings and each rider’s total and fence scores.
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
TRACIE SALES and EBONY: Heard Cup Winners
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
High Point Award
Sue Levy
Senior Qualified 3’6″
Ginny Weiss: 2nd place
Maia Lindner-Liaw: 3rd place
Ginny Wiess
(Photo 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
Morgan Princiotta: 7th place
Asa Woodman: 8th place
Novice Open 2’9″
Jassa Williams: 3rd place
Pairs 3’6″
Sue Levy & George Barker: 1st place (tied)
Lauren Dallaire & Maia Lindner-Liaw: 3rd place
Novice Pairs 2’6″
Merrie Hurwitch & Isabell Gilbert: 1st place
Merritt Carey & Asa Woodman: 5th place
Fred Klein-McNeil & Morgan Princiotta: 7th place
Lauren Dallaire & Maia Lindner-Liaw
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)