More than 150 riders are expected to come out to The Meadows of Campbell Creek and ride the Hunter Pace course on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., all to benefit The Tryon Hounds and PEER (Polk County Equine Rescue).

A rain date has been set for Sunday, Oct. 20.

A hunter pace is a low-key competitive event derived from foxhunting. Teams of two or three riders follow an outdoor course laid out over terrain which is meant to simulate the riding conditions encountered during a foxhunt – a mixture of gaits that a foxhunter typically uses as a fox’s scent is found and followed by hounds through open country and along wooded trails.

There is no set length for a hunter pace course, although courses in the Western North Carolina Hunter Pace series held from November through March are typically around 8 miles and can take up to two hours to complete.

The Meadows of Campbell Creek is an equestrian friendly community located in the historic Dark Corner area of upstate South Carolina in the heart of the Gowensville horse country.

This 154-plus acre tract is just a few miles from Tryon and Landrum, and is on the GENTS (Gowensville Equestrian Neighborhood Trail System) trail system. The land is part of the Old Greenville Hounds Hunt Country established by the late Gordon Wright and now hunted by The Tryon Hounds. The site has mature hardwoods, pastures, mountain views, creeks and trails.

“We are so fortunate to have The Meadows of Campbell Creek as our host location for the Tryon Hounds Fall Hunter Pace,” said Nelson Minnick, president of the Tryon Hounds. “The Meadows is a spectacular equestrian community and is ideal location for our event and we thank Madelon Wallace for the privilege to be here.”

Divisions: The Field Hunter Division / The Trail Rider Division. All courses well marked and safe. Course marked for jumpers and non-jumpers.

Awards: First place – six ribbons in each division and prizes for the Tryon Hounds member team with the best time in each division.

Where: Meadows of Campbell Creek
Stone Cottage land off of Tugaloo Rd., Gowensville, S.C.,29356.

Directions:
From I-26 East (from Asheville): From Asheville take I-26 to Exit 1 in SC (Hwy 14). Turn right onto Hwy 14.
From I-26 West (from Spartanburg/Columbia): From Spartanburg/Columbia take I-26 towards NC, take Exit 1 in SC (Hwy 14). Turn left onto Hwy 14.
Continue 7 miles, going through Landrum, crossing RR tracks to the 4-way stop at the Spinx station. Turn right onto Hwy 11. Go 1.3 miles to Tugaloo Road on the left. Turn left onto Tugaloo Road and go .8 of a mile. See the event sign on the right.
From Hwy 25: Take Hwy 11 East for 13.1 miles. Take Tugaloo Road on the right (hard turn back to the right). Go .8 of a mile to event sign on the right.

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting times assigned upon arrival.

Those riding WINGS (fastest time) arrive at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit www.tryonhounds.com.

– article submitted by Rebecca Barnes