Swan Brook Equestrian Center →
Tuckaway Farm & Powder Major Farm →
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
The Wentworth Hunt Club has worked diligently over the years to develop positive relationships with the owners of our hunt territories in order to establish and maintain scenic hunt fixtures in New Hampshire and Maine and perpetuate the sport.
Below are highlights of our territories and a brief description of what to expect. Please know that:
- Terrain: Most of our territories have some gentle hills as is typical of the New Hampshire seacoast and southern Maine, and none are mountainous or mountain foothills.
- Jumps: All jumps are optional (aka gappable), located either on the side of trails or off the trails.
- Roads: All road crossings and travel are managed with the help of ground volunteers who keep hounds, horses, and riders safe.
- Bonus: Our territories are all wonderful, but each has a special something that you’ll see referred to as “Bonus” below.
Click here to contact us with territory questions.
If you have any questions about our territories, from location and parking to what to expect while riding each territory, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to discuss the beautiful locations through which we are blessed to hunt.
Branch Hill Farm, Milton Mills, NH
Branch Hill Farm is an award-winning Tree Farm and working agricultural farm. Established in 1962 by Mr. Carl Siemon with the purchase of his grandparents’ historic farmhouse in Milton Mills, NH, Mr. Siemon restored the original 100 acres to the farm and grew Branch Hill Farm from 3 acres to its present 3,000 acres of managed and conserved forests and fields.
Click here to read about Branch Hill Farm.
The late Carl Siemon and family welcomed Wentworth Hunt to Branch Hill Farm and daughter Cynthia Wyatt is now continuing the family tradition of supporting the sport of foxhunting. Wentworth Hunt enjoys riding at Branch Hill during Spring Roading and Fall Informal and Formal seasons as well as during our annual Spring Hunter Pace.
Click here to learn about our hunter paces.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Wooded trails to begin, then open fields, trails, and sandy tote roads beside streams and ponds; some slight hills but mostly level ground.
JUMPS:
Jumps scattered throughout the territory; mostly logs, coups, and hay bales.
ROADS:
One road, crossed twice (i.e., there and back), with assistance from our ground crew.
BONUS:
Often this hunt ends with an optional but very fun trip into the Salmon Falls River for a cool break for the horses.
Fine Nest Farm, Raymond, NH
Hunt members Cody Cramer and Dana Zulager have developed a territory that has interconnected trails through wooded areas that cover conservancy land along the Pawtuckaway River, known locally as the Stingy River. One hunting loop runs through land protected by the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, and we enjoy riding around several hay fields at the neighboring Sullos Farm.
Over 150 acres of Fine Nest Farm is in conservation with the Bear-Paw Regional Greenways. Fine Nest is known for its abundant wonderful jumps of all sizes to suit all abilities. Fine Nest Farm is the location of our annual Conservation Hunter Pace in August.
Click here to learn about our hunter paces.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Mosty wooded trails with a few hay fields, moderately hilly with some briefly steeper grades in the woods.
JUMPS:
Abundant jumps throughout this hunt of various heights and all easily gappable.
ROADS:
Unpaved country lane with very horse friendly footing and rarely traveled by cars.
BONUS:
Remarkably beautiful trails along the scenic Stingy River and a country lane past historic homes and farms.
Garrison House Farm, Durham, NH
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Ann Wicander, our ex-joint MFH, and her husband Joe Vaillancourt have developed a territory starting from their farm that is flanked by the Lamprey River. Fields and wooded trails weave throughout the rural neighborhood, and several custom jumps designed by the University of New Hampshire’s cross-country jump designer are strategically placed about the farm. There is a fantastic run through the woods with natural jumps followed by cross-country jumps throughout the fields that border historic Garrison House.
During formal season the teas are inside this carefully restored farmhouse, often with a roaring fire in the sitting room. During informal season, the teas are equally enjoyable, out on the screened porch overlooking the pond and hayfields. Garrison House Farm has long been the beloved location of our celebrated Die Hard Hunt on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Fields and trails through beautiful open woodland; views of rivers and streams.
JUMPS:
Natural jumps of logs, coops, and stone walls on a woods trails, plus natural and cross-country jumps near the farm.
ROADS:
2 to 3 minutes travel down a quiet road on which we rarely encounter cars and with support from our volunteers.
BONUS:
Interconnected hay fields provide a very nice canter/hand-gallop loop before Stirrup Cup.
Green Acres Stables, Madbury, NH
A well-established show stable run by Dawn Dascomb, Green Acres Stables is a home to the hunt on the southern end of Dover. This territory is known for its lovely, well-tended, and always growing cross-country course which includes a drops, ditches, and a water complex. The territory boasts fields, forest paths, and wooded trails that weave throughout this section of Dover Point and conservancy land. There are beautiful views of the Bellamy River. Green Acres is the location of our annual Children’s Hunt in late August.
Click here to learn more about Green Acres Stables.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Cross-country course on grass field and trail, followed by woods and field trails, a class IV dirt road, and wide-open hay fields.
JUMPS:
Many jumps on the cross-country course and along the trails behind the paddocks and pastures of Green Acres during the first half of the hunt.
ROADS:
2 to 3 minutes travel down a quiet road with minimal local traffic only and with support from our volunteers.
BONUS:
This hunt loops back to the trailers about halfway through the hunt allowing riders to retire if desired, making this territory a great first hunt for riders who are unsure of their horses’ (or their own) stamina and/or fitness.
Myhre Equine Complex, Rochester, NH
Veterinarian and hunt member Dr. Grant Myhre welcomes the Wentworth Hunt to his Equine Clinic and the grounds of the High Knoll Equestrian Center during Spring Roading, Fall Informal and Formal Seasons. This territory is often the location of our annual Halloween Hunt (and yes, costumes are highly encouraged!).
Click here to learn more about Myhre Equine Clinic.
Stirrup Cup at the Halloween Hunt
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
At this location, the hunt rides through wooded trails, some along a very scenic babbling brook, connecting to fields that offer fine viewing of the hounds at work. There are many logs and other jumps in the fields and along the trails, with more popping up each year. Stirrup Cup is held on top of a hill with a lovely view towards the Cocheco River and distant hills and low mountains of southern Maine, always a particular treat when the trees are displaying their fall foliage.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Grassy hills and woods trails, some along a lovely scenic brook.
JUMPS:
Jumps of all sizes throughout this hunt.
ROADS:
5 minutes travel down a quiet road with minimal local traffic only and with support from our volunteers.
GONE AWAY:
We enjoy an optional “Gone Away” up the hill to Stirrup Cup.
BONUS:
1. This territory has an incredible view from the top of the hill on which we enjoy Stirrup Cup.
2. This hunt loops back to the trailers about halfway through the hunt allowing riders to retire if desired, making this territory a great first hunt for riders who are unsure of their horses’ (or their own) stamina and/or fitness.
Prodigue Farm, Rochester, NH
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
The Vanderzanden family, founding members of the hunt, offer a beautiful territory that encompasses fields with great hound viewing and forests with lovely wide trails. The territory sports natural jumps scattered throughout the hunt. Prodigue Farm is the location of our annual Blessing of the Hounds which opens our Fall Formal Season to which we happily welcome guests, mounted or otherwise. This is one of our best locations for spectators as several viewing locations can be easily accessed by foot or by car.
Teas are usually held at the impeccably restored farmhouse and yard, and often Pooh Vanderzanden is seen welcoming riders with her patented fresh cider to warm the hearts and spirits of our foxhunters.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Wide wooded trails, blueberry field, interconnected hay fields, and a lovely logging road; there is one wooden bridge to cross.
JUMPS:
Jumps are scattered throughout the territory in fields and on trails.
ROADS:
One road, crossed twice (i.e., there and back) with assistance from our ground crew.
GONE AWAY:
We enjoy an optional “Gone Away” up the hill to Stirrup Cup.
BONUS:
Excellent viewing of hounds for all fields, great hilltop course, and it’s the most accessible for our guests on foot and in cars.
Rest and Be Thankful Farm, Lyman, ME
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Landowners George and Michele Cheney opened their private eventing facility, Rest and Be Thankful Farm, to the Wentworth Hunt in 2012. This territory incorporates many neighboring farms with open working fields, cow pastures, along with hay, oat, and potato fields.
Click here to learn more about Rest and Be Thankful Farm.
This territory has beautiful views, great jumps, and interesting hunt obstacles such as banks, ditches, and water (all optional of course). We thank the Cheneys and their neighboring landowners for their warm hospitality, meticulous preparation and generosity in allowing us to hunt on their land.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Cross-country course, wood trails, and hay fields past scenic farms and homes.
JUMPS:
Cross-country jumps on the farm’s course with additional jumps scattered throughout the hunt.
ROADS:
Two roads, each crossed twice (i.e., there and back) with assistance from our ground crew.
BONUS:
Wonderful combination of great jumps, opportunities to move along in fields, and excellent footing throughout.
Swan Brook Equestrian Center, Biddeford, ME
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Swan Brook Equestrian Center is owned by Denise Atherton and run by her daughter Lauren Atherton Dallaire, and is the home barn of our beloved Joint Master, Marilyn Mariano. Lauren and Marilyn put together a spectacular hunt of neighboring farms and the always lovely and welcoming Andy’s Agway, the location of our Stirrup Cup.
Click here to learn more about Swan Brook Equestrian Center.
This location is unique to Wentworth Hunt territories as it features wide open hay fields with absolutely incredible long views. This hunt also traverses woods trails and hilly fields, with jumps available throughout the ride. Hunts at this territory often have a parade feel as families watch us ride by and wave from their yards, porches, and balconies. This is traditionally our longest hunt with the hunt fields and hounds moving along at a nice clip.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Mostly flat hay fields and grassy hills with some wooded trails, plus a quick trip through a tree farm.
JUMPS:
Jumps are scattered throughout the hunt in very inviting locations on the fields and in the woods.
ROADS:
2 to 3 minutes travel down a quiet road past local farms with minimal local traffic only. There are additionally a couple quiet roads that we cross, with assistance from our ground crew.
GONE AWAY:
We enjoy an optional “Gone Away” up one of the grassy hills behind Andy’s Agway.
BONUS:
Very scenic hunt with long views across open farmland.
Tonry Tree Farm, Hampton Falls, NH
Wentworth Hunt has a long and valued tradition of hunting at Tonry Tree Farm. The hunt at this territory begins at the tree farm and winds delightfully through the Christmas trees. The hunt continues through wide, woods trails and interconnecting fields. Riders enjoy views of the rural New Hampshire countryside and farms including beautiful Rockaway Farm owned by WWH members Fred and Michael.
Click here to learn more about Tonry Tree Farm.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Trails through the tree farm, wood trails, and fields; one of our most level locations with no hills.
JUMPS:
There are no jumps at this territory.
ROADS:
There are no road crossings at this territory.
BONUS:
Fun in the tree farm! The trails through the small, medium, and tall Christmas trees are remarkably charming!
Tuckaway Farm and Powder Major’s Farm, Lee, NH
(Photo courtesy of Jim Mertz, Suddenly Still Photography)
Tuckaway Farm is a beautiful three-generation family farm owned by the Cox Family. Consisting of more than 250 acres in all, the farm is “tucked away” along the Oyster River. Tuckaway farm is an organic farm growing vegetables, small fruits, hay, blueberries, and grains, livestock and poultry. Tuckaway is the home of our Kennelman, Chuck Cox, and the location of our kennels.
Click here to learn more about Tuckaway Farm.
Tuckaway Farm is a remarkably picturesque hunt. The hunt follows a lovely mix of rolling fields and wooded trails, some along streams and brooks. The farm, a pond, a polo field, and several stream crossings are all part of the hunting landscape. This territory boasts many jumps of all sizes (all easily gappable, of course) throughout the hunt.
Our Fall Informal and Formal hunts often include riding through Chuck and Beth Goss’ Powder Major’s Farm, fields, and woods. This is always a treat with Stirrup Cup offered beside the 1723 farmhouse and the historic cemetery where local Revolutionary War patriot John “Powder Major” Demeritt is buried.
Click here to learn more about Powder Major’s Farm.
Tuckaway Farm has been the starting point for the Fall Foliage Hunter Pace since 2015. Always a crowd favorite due to the incredible views of fall foliage, this is the last pace in our series.
Click here to learn about our hunter paces.
What to Expect
TERRAIN:
Large fields and wide woods trails, one wooden bridge, and at least one river crossing (approximately 18″ deep and 10′ across).
JUMPS:
Many jumps throughout this course.
ROADS:
There are no road crossings at this territory.
BONUS:
There are a large number of jumps on the trails, many of low to medium height, making this an excellent location for teaching your horse to jump during a fox hunt. Horses are usually more relaxed on trails and will more readily follow other horses over jumps.