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), Lewisburg, 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!
Many 2026 dates are posted! Some details copied from last year, so please verify with organizers.
As of February 1, 2026, Maryland has removed its requirement for a CVI (vet inspection) before hauling into Maryland for horse events. Keep up to date at MD Animal Health 
.
Note: Concluded events at bottom of page.
2026 Events
The following is preliminary information on events in 2026…
April 18, 2026 – Saturday (rain date April 19)
spring hunter pace
New Market/Middletown Valley Hunt
Middletown, Maryland (Frederick area)
3:00 drive time from State College
3 to 4 miles, fast/optimum fences or optimum flat
9:00am – 12 noon starts
hunt/ratcatcher attire preferred, helmets required, no chaps
$35
Enjoyable hunter pace with a laid-back club. Big turn out, but plenty of space. Mix of woods and fields, reasonable footing, a couple rocky spots.
video preview 
April 26, 2026 – Sunday (rain date May 3, 2026)
Spring Paper Chase at Runnymede Sanctuary
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Fox Hounds Pony Club
101 Greenlawn Road (Irwin’s Gate)
Cochranville, Pennsylvania (Chester county)
~3:15 drive time from State College map link
course 6-8 miles, multiple significant creek crossings
(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
May 2, 2026 – Saturday (rain date May 9)
Spring Hunter Pace
Carrollton Hounds (Maryland)
Union Bridge, Maryland
3:30 drive time from State College
10am start
3-4 mile course (flat 3, jumps 4)
high/low fences or flat
Coggins and helmets required
hunt attire encouraged, teams of 2-4
$40 per rider
video preview
May 2, 2026 – Sunday (rain date May ?)
Spring Paper Chase
Fair Hill Emergency Response Team
Fair Hill Natural Resources Area (Elkton, Maryland)
North Appleton Road lot (?)
~3:30 drive time from State College
single/pair/group/senior/barn/fastest, various awards
Start Time: 8:30 am – 1 pm
6-7 miles, NO jumps
riders must be on course no later than 1pm
$50 per rider non-refundable fee – Pre-registration required
lunch from taco truck is included with registration
video preview
May 9, 2026 and May 10, 2026 – Saturday and Sunday
Competitive Trail Ride (CTR) and CDR
Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association
7 Mountains Scout Camp (Rt 322 between State College and Milroy)
30 minutes from State College
15 mile (CDR) and 30 mile (CTR)
$60/100 per rider, early entry
Meals and bunkhouse available
May 24, 2026 and May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day)
Sunday/Monday
Spring Paper Chase
Tranquillity Manor Farm
Monkton, Maryland (really 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
Course is about 6-7 miles and you can bypass every fence.
Some/all/flat/slow options. Jump/flat riders do same course.
Online registration, $50 per entry. Post entry $55.
Pairs or teams. No course walk.
May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day) – Monday
Memorial Day hunter pace
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
3:30 drive time from State College
5-6 miles, optional jumps
registration on-site starts 8:30a, 9a-12 rides
Open/50+ divisions
$35
June 13, 2026 – Saturday (rain date 6/14)
scavenger hunt pace
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
3:30 drive time from State College
on-site entry, 4-5 miles
$35?
July 18, 2026 – Saturday and July 21, 2026 – Tuesday
(probable dates and times)
Evening Harness Racing – two nights!
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!
September 12, 2026 and September 13, 2026
Saturday-Sunday
Fall Hunter Pace
Tranquillity Manor Farm
Monkton, Maryland (really Hunt Valley/Sweet Air)
3:00 drive time from State College
Sat 9-12, Sun 8:30-11:30
2.5-3 miles course, over 30 jump options with bypass
some/all/flat/family/farm/slowpoke options
All tack, all disciplines, “casual tidy” attire
Helmets and safe boots/shoes required.
Water, plenty of parking.
September 17-20, 2026
International 4* Horse Trials and Country Fair
Plantation Field
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
With the Maryland 5* in limbo, we thought we needed to post another eventing highlight from the region. PF is a fine event with a scenic Chester county cross country course.
September 19, 2026 – Saturday
judged trail ride, 6-7 miles
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
8a-12 rides, cash prizes
3:30 drive time from State College
on-site entry
$35
October 2, 2026 through October 4, 2026
Friday to Sunday
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! Camping, vendors, food, games, auction fun.
FREE!
October 3, 2026 – Saturday
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)
October 31, 2026 – Saturday (rain date 11/1)
Haunted Hooves Paper Chase
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
spooky ride through fields and woods, costumes optional
optional challenges along the way
registration 8:30am, first riders out at 9am
3:30 drive time from State College
$35 per ride ($30 members)
November 8, 2026 – Sunday (probably)
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 am to 1 pm
3:00 drive time from State College
$30 per ride (veterans free)
teams of 1-4
hunt pace/average joe/leisurely
Sorry!
It’s frustrating, but organizers of the following events have NOT announced dates, even though some are probably less than a month away. Rather inconsiderate.
(may be April 12, yet still no info posted as of March 17!)
Sunday, April ?, 2026 (rain date April ?, 2026)
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
Distance is quite long for an early-season pace, but after a steep hill at the start, most of the ride is reportedly easy, with mostly fields.
video preview
(may be April 12, yet still no info posted as of March 17!)
Sunday, April ?, 2026
CHESTER COUNTY EQUINE EVENTS INC.
Spring Paper chase at Brooklawn (Unionville PA)
1825 Newark Rd., Kennett Square PA 19348
3:30 drive time from State College
$40 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
May ?, 2026 – Sunday (rain date May ?)
Spring Paper Chase at Laurels Preserve
Cheshire Hunt Conservancy
Wilson’s Flat, 3635 Doe Run Church Road,
Coatesville, Pennsylvania (Chester county)
~3:15 drive time from State College
Gates open at 9:30 AM, rides 10a-2p
Jumping or non-jumping, 7-9 miles, creek crossings
$40 per rider, register on site, times at check-in
video preview
May ?, 2026 – Saturday
Spring Trail Ride
EPIC Montgomery (Maryland)
Potomac Pony Club Field
Boyds, Maryland
3:30 drive time from State College
Grounds open at 9:30 AM, Ride out at 11:00 AM sharp
FREE! (pre-register)
Choose ride group by pace and distance, enjoy scenic views, stream crossings, and rolling fields. Relax with free lunch after ride.
June ?, 2026 – Saturday
“Talk Derby to Me” Trail Challenge
The Nason Trust
13685 PA Route 666 (near Kellettville Tavern)
Tionesta, Pennsylvania
Relaxing trail ride with judged obstacles on 8 miles of trails and forest roads in Allegheny National Forest. Well manicured trail with gravel sections and mountainous terrain. Camping available.
All riding disciplines are welcome. Obstacles are pick-your-level.
Fun extra games at the end of the event.
Registration 9a, ride off starts 11a.
June ?, 2026 – Sunday
“Ride the Mountain” spring paper chase
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.” – at least front shoes/boots recommended!
easy 2:00 drive time from State College!!
6 or 8-9 mile options, optional jumps, pleasure/hunter/fast divisions
ride times 9am to 1pm
LIMITED TO 80 RIDERS
$20/rider deposit to hold ride time
teams of 2-4, $40 per rider
come as you are, any tack, donuts and drinks free, food truck
Really enjoyed the first pace. 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
June ?, 2026 – Saturday (rain date June ?)
Wicomico Hunt Club Poker Ride
Fair Hill park, 491 Gallaher Road, Elkton MD
Enjoy a 7-8 mile ride in beautiful countryside, collect poker chips, trade them for a poker hand at end. Cash prize for best poker hand.
$40 pre-registration/$50 day of event
Gates open 10a, last rider on course by 2p
All disciplines welcome, helmets required!
June ?, 2026 – Sunday
New Market/Middletown Valley Hunt (Maryland)
trail ride and covered dish picnic
ride off at 10am 9am!
McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania area
(see NM-MVH website for additional trail rides in PA/MD/WV)
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. A good time is guaranteed!
June 2026
[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.
July ?, 2026 – Saturday
Cohocton Hunter Pace and Timed Trail Ride
Cohocton, New York
~2:45 travel from State College
5-7 miles over natural terrain, 9a-1p ride times
fast and pleasure divisions; natural terrain
all jumps optional, 6″ to 2’6″
helmet and boots required, groups of 2+
$40
NY may require proof of rabies vaccinations
July ?, 2026 – Sunday
New Market/Middletown Valley Hunt (Maryland)
trail ride and picnic
at hunt club, Middletown, Maryland
(see NM-MVH website for additional trail rides in PA/MD/WV)
time 10am ride-off
3:15 drive time from State College
$30 or season pass
July ?, 2026 and July ?, 2026
Trail Stewardship Clinic
by PEC Trail Stewardship Alliance
State College, Pennsylvania
Teaches volunteers to enhance and create sustainable non-motorized trails. Two days in class, one day working with DCNR on trail project.
FREE for PA residents
August ?, 2026 – Saturday
Hunter Pace
Rolling Rock Hunt
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
~2:15 travel from State College
First field, second field, hilltopper divisions. Division prizes.
Five miles on marked trails with optional jumps to 3 feet.
starts 8:30am
$100 per rider adult!! only $50 for juniors under 16. Yikes.
Apparently RRH has risen from the dead and is planning a pace again. Why August seems like a good time to do that is a bit puzzling, considering we’ve had weeks of high 90s in June and July, and August is often hotter and more humid.
August ?, 2026 – Sunday
Cohocton Hunter Pace and Timed Trail Ride
Cohocton, New York
~2:45 travel from State College
5-7 miles over natural terrain, 9a-1p ride times
fast and pleasure divisions
all jumps optional, 6″ to 2’6″
helmet and boots required, groups of 2+
$40
NY may require proof of rabies vaccinations
September ?, 2026 – Saturday
Cohocton Hunter Pace and Timed Trail Ride
Cohocton, New York
~2:45 travel from State College
5-7 miles over natural terrain, 9a-1p ride times
fast and pleasure divisions
all jumps optional, 6″ to 2’6″
helmet and boots required, groups of 2+
$40
NY may require proof of rabies vaccinations
September ?, 2026 – Saturday
Poker Run for Parkinson’s Disease
Flying W Ranch
Tionesta, Pennsylvania
~2:45 travel from State College
registration 10a, ride off at 11a
ride with large group or small groups
meal and drinks, awards, raffle, auction, camping
$25 minimum donation per rider
September ?, 2026 – Sunday
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 am. Last horses leave at 2 pm.
$40 Per entry, cash or check on day of paperchase.
September ?, 2026 – Sunday
annual paper chase
Horseways
Highlands Mansion and Gardens, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Registration 8:30a, rides 9a-12
teams up to 4 riders, helmets required
awards for fastest, ideal, best team attire, costumes welcome
~3:30 drive time from State College
$35/40 (members/non-members)
about 8 mile course depending on trail conditions
video preview
September ?, 2026 – Saturday (rain date October ?)
Fall Paperchase at the Farm
Graceful Acres Equine Therapy
193A Ridge Road, Halifax, Pennsylvania 17032
2:00 drive time from State College!!
Marked course of 4-5 miles on private trails through fields and woods. Optional stadium and XC jumps; optional trail challenge obstacles. junior/open/pleasure divisions
ride times 9am to ~1pm
teams of 1-4, $40 per rider, sign up on site
come as you are, any tack, food on site
“trail welcoming to barefoot horses, unlike our Ride the Mountain events”
September ?, 2026 – Sunday
“Dreams Go On” Benefit trail ride and walk
Canoe Creek State Park, Williamsburg, PA
9 – 9:45 AM, On Site Registration
10 am riders and walkers depart, noon lunch
~1:00 drive time from State College
$15 registration fee (online/mail/phone/in person)
includes shirt (while available) and BBQ lunch
“parking for first 85 trailers only”
October ?, 2026 – Sunday
fall paper chase
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Fox Hounds Pony Club
755 Byrd Road, Kennett Square (Chester county), Pennsylvania 19348
(across from New Bolton Center)
3:30 drive time from State College
6-8 miles
10am-1pm starts
team or individual!
$50 per rider
leisure pace option, jumps or flat, informal attire, boots + helmet!
October ?, 2026 – Sunday
Laurels Preserve paper chase
Brandywine Conservancy
Wilsons Flat, 3575 Doe Run Church Road
Coatesville (Chester county), Pennsylvania
~3:30 drive time from State College
? miles
10am-2pm starts
$40 per rider
leisure pace option, jumps or flat
boots and ASTM helmet required
We are shocked to learn the Maryland 5* competition probably will not take place this year. What a setback for the region’s horse events! Read more at Eventing Nation
October ?, 2026 to October ?, 2026 – Thursday to Sunday
(Cross Country – Saturday, October ?, 2026)
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 ?, 2026 – Saturday
fall hunter pace
New Market/Middletown Valley Hunt (Maryland)
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!
October ?, 2026 – Sunday
fall hunter pace
Andrews Bridge Fox Hounds
200 Tick Hill Road (off Route 472)
Kirkwood, Pennsylvania (Lancaster/Chester county)
3:15 drive time from State College
marked course of 6 miles, all jumps/obstacles optional
start times 11am to 1pm
timed (1st-8th)/relaxed/Halloween costume divisions
register day of pace or online in advance
$50 per ride includes lunch on return (cash/check/PP)
(no information on attire; assume helmets required)
October 2026
[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.
November ?, 2026 – Saturday (rain date November ?)
Carrollton Hounds (Maryland)
Union Bridge, Maryland
3:15 drive time from State College
Fall Hunter Pace
highly recommended by multiple people!
10am start
3-4 mile course (flat 3, jumps 4)
fast or optimum, high/low fences or flat
hunt attire encouraged, helmet required, teams of 2-4
$35 per rider per class
November ?, 2026 – Saturday
Friendsgiving (Thanksgiving) Hunter Pace
Bucks County Horse park (Revere, Pennsylvania)
5-7 miles, optional jumps
registration on site starts 9am, rides 9a-12
3:30 drive time from State College
$35 non-members
junior/family/open/over-50
light luncheon
November ?, 2026 – Sunday
Benefit Poker Run Trail Ride
Baltimore County Horse Council
at Baltimore County Ag Center (Cockeysville, Maryland)
casual fall trail ride with poker hands for prizes
optional schooling jumps in arena
distance unknown; doesn’t seem to have much land
10am-2pm, $35 per rider, helmets required for all riders!
3:00 drive time from State College
November ?, 2026 – Saturday (no rain date)
Fall Paper Chase
Fair Hill Emergency Response Team
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
(all information but date copied from last year–may have changed!)
December ?, 2026 – Saturday
Holiday Hunter Pace
Goshen Hounds (Maryland)
Brooke Grove Farm (Olney, Maryland)
~4:00 drive time from State College
(long drive, but one of the last events of year in region)
Completed Events
The following 2026 events are over: