Horse Riding Events Near Central Pennsylvania
We maintain this list of hunter paces, paper chases, poker runs, benefit trail rides, judged trail rides and other fun horse events within a reasonable drive (~3 hours) of central Pennsylvania towns such as Altoona, State College, and Penn State (PSU). Social media is designed to waste your time, so it’s harder than ever to find up-to-date information on fun horse events listed in one place like this!
Please verify full details with organizers… we are just bringing these horse events to your attention.
Note: Concluded events are moved to bottom of page.
It’s a wrap! 2024 events are probably finished… unlikely to see much in December. Past events are listed below if you want to be thinking about 2025. As soon as we see dates in the spring, we will begin updating the calendar for 2025.
2024 Completed Events
These 2024 events are now over but listed for future reference.
Saturday, April 6, 2024
“Com On Spring” Paper chase [sic]
Marsh Creek state park
Downingtown, Pennsylvania (PA)
3:00 drive time from State College
10a-1p
Marked trails at Marsh Creek State Park. Start time is 10 AM, last rider 1 PM.
Saturday, April 6, 2024
9:00am-1:30pm (Rain Date Sunday April 7)
Benefit Paper chase
Baltimore County Agriculture Center
Cockeysville, Maryland (off I-83 just north of Baltimore)
3:00 drive time from State College
Join us for a 4.5 mile course around the Baltimore County Agricultural Center. Optional jumps up to 2’6″.
$40
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Royal Rock trail ride day
(hunter paces later in summer?)
Noxen, Pennsylvania (north west of Scranton)
2:30 drive time from State College
$25
9am on
Saturday, April 13, 2024 (weather change! April 14, 2024)
New Market/Mid Valley Hunt
spring hunter pace
Middletown, Maryland (Frederick area)
3:00 drive time from State College
3-4 miles
fences or optimum flat
probably 9-12 starts
hunt/ratcatcher attire preferred, no chaps
$35
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Beaufort Hunt
spring hunter pace
Grantville (Harrisburg), Pennsylvania
1:45 drive time from State College
8-10 miles???
jumps or pleasure division, english/western
(rain date Sun Apr 21)
$35
Saturday, April 20, 2024
EPIC (Equestrian Partners in Conservation)
spring trail ride and lunch
Dry Seneca trails, Poolesville, Maryland
3:30 drive time from State College
riding about 1½ hours and then enjoying a light lunch and refreshments
walk, w/t, w/t/c groups as needed to accommodate everyone
Trail Ride: 11:00am / Lunch: 12:30pm
rain date: Sunday, April 21
FREE!
Sunday, April 21, 2024
CHESTER COUNTY EQUINE EVENTS INC.
2024 Spring Paper chase at Brooklawn
1825 Newark Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348
(Cochranville, Pennsylvania)
3:00 drive time from State College
$40.00 Per horse
8 mile ride over Chester County’s conservation lands.
Registration opens at 9:30 am.
First horse to start is 10:00am, last horse 2:00pm.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
spring paper chase
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Fox Hounds
Runnymede Sanctuary, Cochranville, Pennsylvania (Chester county)
3:00 drive time from State College map link
course about 7 miles, with optional turn-back point about half way
10a-1p starts
team or individual!
$40
leisure pace option, jumps or flat, informal attire
(rain date May 5)
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Leg Up Farm (therapeutic riding program)
benefit horse trail ride, food trucks, silent auction
Spring Valley Park (southern York county, Pennsylvania)
2:30 drive time from State College
9a-12 ride times
$40
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Carrollton Hounds (Maryland)
Union Bridge, Maryland
3:00 drive time from State College
Spring Hunter Pace
10am start
new 3-4 mile course (flat 3, jumps 4)
(rain date May 18)
high/low fences or flat
hunt attire encouraged, teams of 2-4
$35 per rider
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Preakness Stakes
Pimlico race track, Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, May 26, 2024 and
Monday, May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day)
Paper Chase 2024
Tranquillity Manor Farm
Monkton, Maryland (really more like Hunt Valley/Sweet Air)
3:00 drive time from State College
Sunday and Monday 8:00 am-12:30 pm
Dress casual, approved riding Helmet and boots, any tack
The course is about 6-7 miles and there is a way around every fence.
Some/all/flat options. Both jump and non jump riders do same course.
Monday, May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day)
Memorial Day hunter pace
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
3:30 drive time from State College
5-6 miles, optional jumps
registration 8:30a, 9a-12 starts
$35
Open/50+ divisions
Sunday, June 2, 2024
New Market/Mid Valley Hounds (Maryland)
trail ride and barbeque/covered dish
ride off at 10am
McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania area
(see NM-MVH website for additional trail rides)
2:15 drive time from State College
$30 or season pass
Super fun ride and picnic with a great group of laid back foxhunters from PA, MD, VA, WV. Come next year!
Saturday, June 8, 2024
“The Pacemaker” Spring Pace Event (12th annual)
Susquehanna Equestrian Club
Spring Valley Park (southern York county, Pennsylvania)
2:30 drive time from State College
$25 per rider
10am-1pm
ride a 5-6 mile course with optional jumps
ribbons based on average time
individuals OR teams up to 6 riders
helmet + boots, any attire
Saturday, June 15, 2024
New Market/Mid Valley Hunt (Maryland)
trail ride and picnic
Three Springs, Pennsylvania area
(see NM-MVH website for additional trail rides in MD/WV)
ride-off time 10am
1:45 drive time from State College
$30 or season pass
Super fun ride and picnic with a great group of laid back foxhunters from PA, MD, VA, WV. Come next year!
Saturday, June 15, 2024
trail challenge
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
3:30 drive time from State College
$35?
Rolling Rock Hunt
weekly trail rides and hunter pace
Latrobe, Pennsylvania area
In past years, RRH held semi-weekly trail rides in June, July, August from various locations around Ligonier and Latrobe, and a hunter pace in summer.
Unfortunately, no information has been posted as of June 1, 2024; I guess this tradition has ended.
Friday, July 5, 2024 to
Saturday, July 6, 2024
2024 Horse Progress Days
Gordonville, Pennsylvania
30th year of this huge expo demonstrating modern horse-drawn and mule-drawn farming techniques and equipment returns to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. It’s quite the event! Great food, seminars on driving, horses, and homesteading.
$15
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Race to the Rock #1
Hunter pace at Royal Rock Farm
Noxen, Pennsylvania
~2:15 travel time from State College
3-4 mile course through woods and fields.
All jumps are optional. Optimal time.
Groups up to 6, $40 per person
$30 per person for un-timed pleasure trail
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Evening Harness Racing
Clearfield County Fair
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
~1 hour travel from State College
starts 5:30pm
$5 fair admission includes grandstand seating
betting, giveaways, funny hat competition, very expensive fair food!
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Cohocton Hunter Pace and Timed Trail Ride
Cohocton, New York
~2:45 travel from State College
5-7 miles, 9a-1p ride times
$40
note NY requires proof of rabies vaccinations at horse events
Sunday, August 4, 2024
New Market/Mid Valley Hunt (Maryland)
trail ride and picnic
at NM-MVH hunt club, Middletown, Maryland
(see NM-MVH website for additional trail rides in MD and WV)
time 10am ride-off
3:15 drive time from State College
$30 or season pass
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Race to the Rock #2
Hunter pace at Royal Rock Farm
Noxen, Pennsylvania
~2:15 travel time from State College
3-4 mile course through woods and fields.
All jumps are optional. Optimal time.
Groups up to 6, $40 per person
$30 per person for un-timed pleasure trail
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Cohocton Hunter Pace and Timed Trail Ride
Cohocton, New York
~2:45 travel from State College
5-7 miles, 9a-1p ride times
$40
note NY requires proof of rabies vaccinations at horse events
Saturday, September 14, 2024 and
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Fall Hunter Pace 2024
Tranquillity Manor Farm
Monkton, Maryland (more like Hunt Valley/Sweet Air)
3:00 drive time from State College
Sat 9-12, Sun 8:30-11:30
2.5-3 miles course, 30 optional jumps
slowpoke class available,
All tack, all disciplines, “casual tidy” attire
Saturday, September 21, 2024
“Poker chase” – Paper chase and poker run combined
Our Gang Riding Club
Spring Valley park (Glen Rock, Pennsylvania)
10a-2p rides, ribbons and prizes
appears team or individual; teams up to 4 “encouraged”
2:30 drive time from State College
$30
Saturday, September 21, 2024
judged trail ride
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
8a-12 rides, cash prizes
3:30 drive time from State College
$35
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Fall Paper Chase
Chester County Equine Events
100 Greenlawn Road, Cochranville, Pennsylvania
3:15 drive time from State College
Come join us for about eight miles of beautiful, rolling hills and wooded paths of scenic Runnymede Sanctuary in Chester County PA.
There are creek crossings. Jumping fences are optional. No group number limits.
Go at your own pace.
REGISTRATION OPENS 9:30AM
First horses at start line at 10:00 am. Last horses leave at 2:00pm.
$40 Per entry, cash or check on day of paperchase.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Cohocton Hunter Pace and Timed Trail Ride
Cohocton, NY
~2:45 travel from State College
5-7 miles, 9a-1p ride times
$40
note NY requires proof of rabies vaccinations at horse events
Saturday, October 5, 2024 (rain date October 6)
Trail Ride – Opening of Kay Trail
EPIC (Equestrian Partners in Conservation)
Breezy Loop Trails Complex, Boyds, Maryland
Ride leaves at 10:00am and will traverse scenic woods, streams, and open fields, lasting 1-1.5 hours, followed by a light lunch and refreshments.
3:30 drive time from State College
FREE!
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Pink Ribbon Ride, picnic, raffle, awards
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
7 miles
registration 8am, rides 8:30a-1p
3:30 drive time from State College
$50+ donation/pledges/sponsorship
(horse driving may be an option!)
Friday, October 4, 2024 through
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Harrison Mule Days
Carroll county Equestrian Center
Mount Airy, Maryland
An amazing celebration of mules, with some donkeys and horses thrown in for good measure. A really fun time–you never knew mules could look so fine! Vendors, food, games, fun.
FREE!
Sunday, October 6, 2024
fall paper chase
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Fox Hounds
755 Byrd Road, Kennett Square (Chester county), Pennsylvania 19348
(across from New Bolton Center)
3:30 drive time from State College
7-8 miles
10a-1p starts
team or individual!
$40
leisure pace option, jumps or flat, informal attire
Sunday, October 13, 2024 (rain date October 20)
“Ride the Mountain” fall hunter pace — “first annual”
Graceful Acres Equine Therapy
Haldeman Tract of Weiser State Forest
White Oak Road, Halifax (Elizabethville), Pennsylvania
“trails are variety of grass, dirt with some stones, and some short stone road crossings”
2:00 drive time from State College!!
6 miles, optional jumps, pleasure/hunter/fast divisions
ride times 9am to ~1pm
teams of 1-4, with 2+ suggested, $30 in advance, $35 day of event
come as you are, any tack, donuts and drinks free, food truck on site!
Really enjoyed this. Nice ride, great effort for first time event, good turnout. Sections are steep and quite rocky. Significant long climb at start and descent at end–1000 feet of vertical.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 to Sunday, October 20, 2024
(Cross Country – Saturday, October 19, 2024)
Maryland Five Star
Only seven competitions at this level in the entire world!
Fair Hill Special Event Zone, Fair Hill (Elkton), Maryland
3:15 drive time from State College
dressage, cross country, stadium jumping
vendors, seafood, local beer, beautiful scenery, leaping and galloping horses!
Never mind Rolex, Kentucky. We have our own 5 star!
~$40 day admission or multi-day passes
Sunday, October 20, 2024
fall paper chase
Mount Carmel Hounds
Yeoho Road, Parkton, Maryland (north of Baltimore)
~3:00 drive time from State College
approximately 4 miles, new jumps!
optimum fences/flat and juniors, all fences optional
9am-12 noon
all disciplines, casual attire, helmets, teams up to 4, registration on-site
$35 per ride
Saturday, October 26, 2024
fall hunter pace
New Market/Mid Valley Hounds
Middletown, Maryland (Frederick area)
3:15 drive time from State College
probably 3-4 miles
high/low/flat, fast or optimum
fast/high begins 10am
hunt/ratcatcher attire preferred, helmets, no chaps
costumes optional (contest); bring a tailgate!
$35 per ride
What a great time! Very welcoming club and big turnout of riders, super tailgate!
Sunday, October 27, 2024
“The Pacemaker” Fall Pace Event (hunter pace)
Susquehanna Equestrian Club
Lancaster County Central Park (just south of Lancaster city), Pennsylvania
~2:30 drive time from State College
$25 per rider
9am-12pm rides,
treasure hunt on ride, costume contest at noon sharp
ribbons based on average time
individuals OR teams up to 6 riders
helmet + boots, any attire
Friends say this Pacemaker is easy ride, Spring Valley one more interesting.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Chase for Conservation
Radnor Pony Hunt Club
Malvern, Pennsylvania
10am start, last ride 1pm
3:15 drive time from State College
$40 per ride for non-members
website has NO information on distance, jumps, teams, etc… sigh.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Veterans Day Paper Chase
French Creek Equestrian Association
Great Marsh Farm, 412 Marsh Road,
Elverson, Pennsylvania (ugh, PA turnpike sucks)
6-8 miles, optional jumps
registration 9:30am, rides 10-1
3:00 drive time from State College
$25 per ride (veterans free)
teams of 1-4
hunt pace/average joe/leisurely
Sunday, November 10, 2024
(MAYBE??? — cannot find valid, current information!)
Fall Paper Chase
Andrews Bridge Fox Hounds
Kirkwood, Pennsylvania
Website calendar is years old, multiple social media pages, none seem current. Don’t know what’s up with this group, very frustrating and unprofessional!
Saturday, November 23, 2024 (rain date November 30)
Carrollton Hounds (Maryland)
Union Bridge, Maryland
3:15 drive time from State College
Fall Hunter Pace
highly recommended by a friend!
10am start
new 3-4 mile course (flat 3, jumps 4)
fast or optimum, high/low fences or flat
hunt attire encouraged, teams of 2-4
$35 per rider
Missed it due to lousy weather to prepare day before.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Friendsgiving (Thanksgiving) Hunter Pace
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
5-7 miles, optional jumps
registration 9am, rides 9-12
3:30 drive time from State College
$35 non-members
junior/family/open/over-50
light luncheon
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Benefit Poker Run Trail Ride
Baltimore County Horse Council
at Baltimore County Ag Center (Cockeysville, Maryland)
fall trail ride with poker hands for prizes
optional jumps in arena, helmets required
doesn’t seem to have much land for any distance
10am-2pm
3:00 drive time from State College
Saturday, November 30, 2024 (no rain date)
Fall Paper Chase
Fair Hill Emergency Response Team (horse ambulance)
Fair Hill Natural Resources Area (Elkton, Maryland)
~3:30 drive time from State College
8 mile, no jumps
pre-register and get free lunch from taco truck
single/pair/group, various awards
Start Time: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm. ALL riders must be on course no later than 1pm 483 Gallaher Road, Elkton, Maryland
$40 non-refundable fee – Pre-registration required