Pace Information

The upcoming pace event will be held at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, located at the corner of Route 35 and Route 121. Drivers should head straight through the toll booth upon arrival—do not turn right at the first turning. Instead, continue up the hill and take the first left, which will be signposted. This road leads downhill to the Meadows Parking Lot, where parking, as well as the start and finish of the pace, will be located.

All participants are reminded that wearing an approved helmet and appropriate riding footwear is mandatory. There are no restrictions on tack; all disciplines are welcome to join. Because this event takes place on county land, all riders must respect the rules of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Trails are shared with hikers and dogs, so riders must pass others at a walk and always proceed with courtesy.

On Pace Day, riders must stay on the marked course and must not jump any fences that are not officially included. When passing another team, you must call out from a distance and wait for acknowledgment before proceeding. All passes should be made at a walk, and cantering is not allowed within 50 feet of another team. Riders and teams that exhibit unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior are subject to elimination at the discretion of event organizers.

Online registration is strongly encouraged for this event. Riders may also register on the day of the event, but a $20 premium fee will be added. The pace will be held rain or shine, and no refunds will be issued unless the event is canceled due to a natural disaster.

Ride times will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and each team will receive an email with their allotted time the day before the pace. Your entry fee includes a hot buffet lunch for each registered rider, and additional lunches may be purchased separately. Entry also covers admission to the reservation for one horse trailer or private vehicle—PLEASE BRING PROOF OF PAYMENT TO PRESENT AT THE TOLL BOOTH..

Each team must consist of two or three riders. If any team members are under the age of 16, a mounted adult must be present on the team.

Paperwork requirements include a current negative Coggins test, dated within one year of the pace, for each horse. This documentation must be uploaded during registration. All riders are also required to sign a liability waiver. For minors, this waiver must be signed by a parent or legal guardian, not a trainer.

The course will take riders through a variety of terrain, including open fields, manicured and rough trails, muddy and rocky paths, and some hilly areas. There may also be road crossings, which will have traffic control in place. Riders are advised to stay alert to their surroundings and adjust their pace as needed for safety and footing.

Scoring for the pace is based on how close your team comes to the optimum time, which is calculated based on appropriate pacing for the course and conditions—not speed. You may place whether you come in slightly over or under the optimum time. Results will be posted on Facebook and sent by email within 24 to 36 hours after the pace concludes. Ribbons will be awarded at the Pace after the last team returns.

This pace is part of the Associated Bridle Trails Series. To learn more about the series and how points are accumulated, please visit associatedbridletrails.org.