Quiet Creek Hunter Pace with MRC

Important Note: Spring vs. Fall

This was actually my second time doing Quiet Creek—my first was in May, and I returned in November. The difference between the two seasons was dramatic, and I strongly recommend the spring/summer dates if you have a choice.

Spring (May):

• Lush, green scenery that's gorgeous to ride through
• Pleasant weather (warm but not hot)
• No hunting season interference
• Fuller foliage on trees creates a prettier landscape

Fall (November):

• Most trees were bare (Vernon is colder than NYC, so even during NYC's peak foliage season, the trees were mostly leafless)
• Colder weather (though some chill isn't bad for an active ride)
• Hunting season gunshots in the distance - this was honestly the worst part and not my cup of tea at all
• Less visually appealing overall

The Course Layout

The pace takes you through a mix of terrain:

• Several nice fields perfect for galloping
• Mostly forested trails winding through wooded areas
• A LOT of road crossings - this was particularly notable on the autumn pace, with long stretches riding alongside roads
• Limited volunteer traffic control, so expect the occasional immature honk from passing cars
• Trail marking was generally decent, though a few confusing sections sent some riders in loops

The Jumps

There aren't many jumps on this course—I counted around 8 total:

• Mostly natural obstacles that blend into scenery: logs, walls
• Heights range from 2-3 feet
• All jumps have go-arounds (jumping is optional)
• During the spring some looked downright dangerous - like a medium stone wall right out of a muddy stream. Everyone in my group went around.
• One memorable jump: a bunch of oil barrels that I didn't see a single horse not spook at!

The Pace Format

Teams of 2-3 riders are released at 3-5 minute intervals and follow a marked trail. The goal is to ride at the "ideal pace" set by the organizers:

• Walk: downhills, water crossings, deep mud, rocky terrain
• Trot: narrow and wooded trails
• Canter: wider trails
• Gallop: open fields

Your start and finish times are recorded, and teams closest to the secret "ideal time" win ribbons.

Midway Break

About halfway through, there's a rest stop offering water or sherry—a nice touch to catch your breath and let the horses rest.

Post-Ride

After finishing, there's a lunch provided (rolls and chips). Note for vegetarians: No vegetarian options were available, so bring your own food if you don't eat meat. There was tuna for pescatarians.

Riders typically socialize a bit before heading home around 1:30 PM.

Horses are from Rounded Creek Farm, MRC's partner stable, and are kept in excellent condition. Lush green pastures, modern stabling facilities, top-notch care. If I could afford it I'd keep my own horse with them. They are trained to be hunters and while they each have their own personality, they know their job out on the trails and will do it well. The horses definitely have more personality than your average day trip (i.e. require more advanced rider abillities) - hence why getting approved beforehand is essential.

Almost $400, not including transportation, is, of course, pretty steep - but pretty on par with these types of events in the NYC area.

So it's not a terrible value if you live in NYC, but I do think that since hunter paces are mostly priced the same, I'd probably opt for one of the more popular options next year if I have the choice.

Photo Gallery (7 photos)