Norfolk Hunter Trials

The Norfolk Hunter Trials are an important part of the Norfolk 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 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.

Happy Hunting!

RIDE TIMES:

First rider on course at 10:00 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

Day of event entry fees will be $5 more. Preregistration will be closed at midnight on Friday, 9/22.

XC App Link to Novice Course

XC App Link to 3' Course

XC App Link to Pairs Course

2023 norfolk hunter trials

Sunday, September 24
Norfolk Hunt Steeplechase Course
240 North Street
Medfield, MA

Please contact Laurian Pope (laurianpope@gmail.com) with any questions.

The courses will BE open to walk on saturday, September 23

Maps will be posted here and available in a Tupperware container at the start of the courses, under the "Start" sign.

Please check this site for any updates.

RESULTS AND SCORE CARDS

important documents

*Note that 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.

*You can sign up for the Team Chase on the day of the hunter trials.

TEAM CHASE

This year we will have our second annual Team Chase. This event will consist of teams of two to four riders completing the Open Novice course ridden single file, as if in a hunt, at hunt speed. The hope is to be able to include more riders that don’t necessarily want to ride by themselves, but feel more comfortable in a group. The All New England Hunter Trials will also feature a team chase. This portion of the trials will not be judged, BUT there will be an award for the team that demonstrates enthusiasm, safety, and proper turnout. This award is in honor of the memory of Ruth Lawler, a beloved Ex-Master of Norfolk Hunt.

NOTE: NO SCHOOLING over NORFOLK HUNT CLUB STEEPLECHASE PROPERTY FENCES
allowed one week prior to the hunter trials. STRICTLY ENFORCED.

Riders MUST register & submit a waiver of liability.

If you have already submitted an online waiver in 2023, 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 Hunter Trials Classes

Qualified
Jumps ~3'3”
For riders, who have hunted with Norfolk, riding the horse/pony they regularly hunt. Rider-horse combination must have hunted with Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 ad 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.

Team Chase
The Team Chase will follow the Open Novice 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, enthusiam, 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)

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 Open Novice 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, enthusiam, and proper turnout will receive the Ruth Lawler Team Chase Award.

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.