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, Penn State (PSU), and Harrisburg. Social media is designed to waste your time, so it’s harder than ever to find an up-to-date schedule of fun horse events listed in one place like this!
Please verify full details with organizers… we just bring key information about these scheduled horse events to your attention.
Note: Concluded events are moved to bottom of page.
2025: We have event dates for 2025! Early info may be copied from last year, so please verify all info with organizers.
2025 Events
Sunday, April 13, 2025
CHESTER COUNTY EQUINE EVENTS INC.
Spring Paper chase at Brooklawn
1825 Newark Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348
3:30 drive time from State College
$40.00 per horse
8 mile ride over Chester County’s conservation lands.
Registration 9:30a, first horse start 10a, last horse 2pm
All fences optional
video preview
Sunday, April 13, 2025 (rain date April 19, 2025)
spring hunter pace
Beaufort Hunt Club
at Twin Brooks Horse Show Grounds
Grantville (Harrisburg), Pennsylvania
1:45 drive time from State College
8-10 miles, open/junior/over 60/pleasure divisions, English/western
registration starts 8am, horses out 8:30a to 12
$35 per rider, teams of 2-4
breakfast and lunch available
While the distance is long for an early-season pace, we are told that after a steep hill at the start, most of the ride is easy with mostly fields.
video preview
Saturday, April 19, 2025
spring hunter pace
New Market/Middletown Valley Hunt
Middletown, Maryland (Frederick area)
3:00 drive time from State College
3-4 miles with fast/optimum fences or optimum flat
9a-12 noon starts
hunt/ratcatcher attire preferred, helmets required, no chaps
$35
An enjoyable hunter pace with a laid-back hunt club. Big turn out, but plenty of space. Mix of woods and fields, reasonable footing, a couple rocky spots.
video preview
Saturday, April 19, 2025 (no rain date)
Spring Paper Chase
Fair Hill Natural Resources Area (Elkton, Maryland)
~3:30 drive time from State College
single/pair/group, various awards
Start Time: 8:30 am – 1 pm
riders must be on course no later than 1pm
Telegraph Road lot #1, Elkton, Maryland
$40 non-refundable fee – Pre-registration required
video preview
Sunday, April 27, 2025 (rain date May 18, 2025)
spring paper chase
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Fox Hounds
101 Greenlawn Road
Runnymede Sanctuary, Cochranville, Pennsylvania (Chester county)
3:15 drive time from State College map link
course 6-8 miles, with optional turn-back point about half way
10a-1p starts
leisure pace option, jumps or flat, informal attire, all jumps optional
team or individual!
$40
video preview
Saturday, May 10, 2025 (rain date May 17)
Spring Hunter Pace
Carrollton Hounds (Maryland)
Union Bridge, Maryland
3:00 drive time from State College
10am start
new 3-4 mile course (flat 3, jumps 4)
high/low fences or flat
hunt attire encouraged, teams of 2-4
$35 per rider
video preview
Monday, May 26, 2025 (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 8, 2025 (preliminary!)
“Ride the Mountain” spring hunter pace
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.” – Shoes/boots recommended.
easy 2:00 drive time from State College!!
6 miles, optional jumps, pleasure/hunter/fast divisions
(probably two different distances available this year)
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
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. Easy ride across top.
See our Haldeman Tract Riding Guide
video preview
Saturday, June 14, 2025
paper chase and trail challenge
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
3:30 drive time from State College
$35?
June 2025
[NOT PLANNED] “The Pacemaker” Spring Pace Event
Susquehanna Equestrian Club
Spring Valley Park (southern York county, Pennsylvania)
Due to retirement of long time event organizer, the Pacemaker events are unfortunately on hiatus.
Tuesday, July 15, 2024 (preliminary)
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!
Saturday, September 27, 2025
judged trail ride
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
8a-12 rides, cash prizes
3:30 drive time from State College
$35
Friday, October 3, 2025 through
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Harrison Mule Days
Carroll county Equestrian Center
Mount Airy, Maryland (off I-70 east of Frederick)
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!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
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!)
Thursday, October 16, 2025 to Sunday, October 19, 2025
(Cross Country – Saturday, October 18, 2025)
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
October 2025
[NOT PLANNED] “The Pacemaker” Fall Pace Event (hunter pace)
Susquehanna Equestrian Club
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Due to retirement of long time event organizer, the Pacemaker events are unfortunately on hiatus.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
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
Dates have not been announced yet, but the following events will probably be held in 2025…
Sunday, May ?, 2025 and
Monday, May ?, 2025 (Memorial Day)
Spring Paper Chase
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.
Sunday, June ?, 2025
New Market/Middletown Valley Hounds (Maryland)
trail ride and covered dish picnic
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 ?, 2025
New Market/Middletown 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!
Sunday, August ?, 2025
New Market/Middletown 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
Saturday, September ?, 2025 and
Sunday, September ?, 2025
Fall Hunter Pace
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
Sunday, September ?, 2025
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, October ?, 2025
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 ?, 2025 (rain date October ?)
“Ride the Mountain” fall hunter pace
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.
Saturday, October ?, 2025
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, November 9, 2025
Veterans Day Paper Chase
French Creek Equestrian Association
Great Marsh Farm, 412 Marsh Road,
Elverson, Pennsylvania
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
Saturday, November ?, 2025 (rain date November ?)
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.
2024 Completed Events
These events are now over but listed for reference in case they are held in 2025.
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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
(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!
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