Paris, KY – Sept. 4, 2014 – The inaugural New Vocations Hunter Pace will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Scheffelridge Farm in Paris, Kentucky, to support New Vocations efforts to rehab, retrain and rehome retired racehorses. The event will be ridden over a course simulating hunting terrain, and can be ridden at the speed at which one would traditionally ride to the hounds. The course, taking place on well over 100 acres, will be clearly marked and jumps will be flagged; it will include gates and water crossings (that are also optional).

With jumping, non-jumping, and family/pleasure divisions of between two and four riders, there’s something for everyone, no matter their discipline. A great experience for greener horses, as well as for accomplished horses looking for a fun day off the farm, the teams finishing closest to the optimal time (without going over) will win and ribbons to third place will be awarded. Jumps can be jumped at any height (6”, 2’, 2’3” or 2’7”) or not at all.

Additionally, special awards and recognition will be given to teams  whose mounts are majority Thoroughbreds that finish closest to the optimal time, without going over.

Costumes are encouraged, as prizes for this category will also be awarded. Also available on this fun-filled day is a Poker Pace, which will include five stops for teams to obtain a playing card. The team with the best “hand” of poker at the finish will win a prize.

The entry fee is $40 per rider with additional rides being $20; teams may enter the day of the pace.  All proceeds from the event will benefit New Vocations retired racehorses. For more information, please visit www.newvocations.org/hunter-pace

New Vocations first opened their barn doors in 1992 to retired racehorses looking for new careers. Starting with a single farm in Dayton, Ohio, the program has grown to six facilities in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Serving over 40 racetracks, New Vocations works directly with owners and trainers in need of an aftercare program for horses leaving the track. Currently, the program leads the nation in racehorse adoptions, taking in over 400 horses each year. The program has a sound adoption system in place that is proven to move a large number of horses in a rather short period of time. Their focus is on adoption verses retirement, believing that each horse deserves to have an individual home and a purpose. For more information, visit www.newvocations.org.