Moore County Hounds 93rd 

Annual Hunter Trials March 14th, 2026

To be held at The Hunter Trials Course Old Mail Rd Southern Pines NC

Click here for a PDF of the prize list 

ATTIRE

All classes to be ridden in formal hunting attire. Braiding of manes or tails is optional.

All tack used in the hunt field is allowed, including martingales, boots, etc.

PROGRAMS

Programs listing all classes, presentations and competitors will be provided on the day of the Trials.

•   Junior Classes - 8:00 a.m.
•   Lead Line Class - following Completion of JR
•   Adult Classes - Immediately Following

Entry Deadline: March 7th, 2026

*Entries received after will be considered Post Entries and will be double entry fees*

Proof of Negative Coggins Required (within past 12 months) To be included and uploaded with entry. Horses without will not be allowed to compete. A signed release is also required.

SPONSOR OPTIONS:

•   Patron @ $225. Includes Reserved Priority Parking 
•   Sponsor @ $175. Includes Reserved Priority Parking or Dinner
•   Reserved Parking @ $100 Limited Number Available

JUDGES INFORMATION:

•  Mr. Kip Holloway
•  Mrs. Karen Bull

GENERAL CONDITIONS & INFORMATION

• We strongly encourage all entries to be made online. A $20 processing fee will be issued for all paper entries
• Entries received after the closing date will be considered post entries and will be DOUBLE ENTRY FEES
• Eligibility – Members and guests of recognized hunts are invited to participate. Horses and ponies primary use should be as a field hunter, and have hunted regularly during the season with MCH Or another MFHA recognized hunt. Eligibility questions will be decided by the Masters.
• Amateur Status- Please note that Amateur status is defined by those guidelines set forth by The United States Equestrian Federation. Amateurs as defined by USEF cannot have accepted payment for riding horses, or training / coaching.
• Two entries will go in tandem, at a safe hunting distance, in most classes, except for hack classes and where otherwise noted.
• No Open Cards
• Please remain on grounds once you check in and receive your packet
• Juniors are 18 and under.
• Current negative Coggins required
• Please park at the top of the hill at the hunter trials course, water is not available on the grounds.
• The committee has the right to combine, cancel or split any class.
• Formal attire please, and braiding is appreciated, but optional
• Schooling is available for the entire week, starting on Saturday prior to the event. Course will be closed Friday 3/13 for repairs.
• Entry Deadline: March 7th, 2026 *Entries received after will be considered Post Entries and will be double entry fees*
• Proof of Negative Coggins Required (within past 12 months)

• No Dogs allowed on grounds, No Exceptions

• 3 cumulative refusals on course is grounds for dismissal

• $15 / Junior Class (or Juniors riding as Adults)
• $20 / Adult Class

Carolinas' Performance Hunter Series

Carolines’ Performance Hunter Series is offered at 3 Carolina based hunter trials.  It is not judged individually, it is judged based on number of competitors per hunt in each class. Prize money is awarded to the hunt with the most attendees and will be presented at the Carolinas’ hound show.  Horse or pony rider combination must have hunted at least 5 times during the current hunt season (to be confirmed with the MFH) in the same field that they compete in.

Enter online at MooreCountyHounds.com/events

Checks payable to MCH and mailed to: Mary Phillips c/o MCH

946-A Sheldon Rd., Southern Pines NC 28387 774-571-7406 E-Mail: Maryphil41@gmail.com

JUNIOR CLASSES

• Class 1 Juniors: Carolinas’ Performance Hilltoppers: Riders to follow a field master at a walk, trot, canter and slow pace over a log on the ground. Judged on suitability as a junior hilltopper mount. 

• Class 2 Juniors: Carolinas’ Performance Over Fences: Riders to follow a field master at a walk, trot, canter / gallop, jumping, reverse field and / or hold hard. Judged on suitability as a junior first flight mount.

• Class 3 Juniors: Under Saddle: Show at the walk, trot and canter. Judged on manners, way of going and suitability as a fox hunting mount. Riders may be asked to back up. 

• Class 4 Juniors: Handy Hunter: Show over a course of jumps, and judged on manners and promptness. Riders may be asked to open and close a gate, changes of pace, and potentially halt or back up.

• Class 5 Juniors:  Champion Junior Hunter 1st and 2nd place winners in junior classes (class numbers 2 – 4) will be asked to follow a field master appointed by the committee. The judges will pick the horse or pony most suitable to hounds. No entry fee.

• Other Junior Awards: Best turned out Junior (for the day, open to all riders who competed in at least 1 class), Junior American Sportsman Award (for the season), Junior Field Hunter Award (for the season)

• Class 6 Leadline: Open to riders 6 years old and under. To be shown in hand (led) at the walk by a competent handler of any age. No entry fee.

• Puppy Calcutta Award

• Other Adult Awards: Unsung Hero Award, Best Field Hunter Hilltopper (Annual), Best Field Hunter (Annual)

• Class 7 Future (First Season)(amateur to ride): Fox Hunter Pony, Horse or rider applies. Over a course of low fences. Riders or the mounts in this class must either be in their first year of hunting, showing at hunter trials, horse shows or events. Open to juniors & adults

ADULT CLASSES

• Class 8 STRICTLY FOR FOX HUNTERS (amateur to ride): Open to ladies and gentlemen who belong to and hunt regularly with a recognized or registered hunt. This class is for riders who do not normally compete in horse shows or events.

• Class 9 Carolinas’ Performance Hilltoppers: (Amateur & Professionals to ride) The horses and riders should be qualified in the Hilltopper Field. Horses will go in a group following a designated Field Master. Small log on the ground may be included in this class. Horses and riders in this class not eligible for other classes except 10, 11, 12 & 17.

• Class 10 Hilltoppers Hack (Amateur to ride): No Jumps. Shown at the walk, trot & canter. Riders may be asked to hold hard and back up. Horses in this class not eligible for other classes except 9, 11, 12 & 17.

• Class 11 Hilltopper Handy Hunter (Amateur to ride): Course to be ridden in tandem, with 2 riders on course at one time. Tests may include opening and closing a gate, mounting and dismounting, and navigating a small log, changing position so that each horse gets to demonstrate leading and following. Horses in this class not eligible for other classes except 9, 10, 12 & 17.

• CHAMPION HILLTOPPER (for the show) Awarded to the horse and rider combination with the most points in classes 9,10 & 11.

• Class 12 Fox Hunter Hack (Amateur to ride): entries may not enter hilltopper hack, class 10

• Class 13 Carolinas’ Performance Hunters O/F: Jumps 3’0 or less may be asked to trot or canter fences, open and close gates, dismount and remount, or other fox hunting tasks.

• Class 14 Lady’s Hunter Over Fences (Amateur to ride)

• Class 15 Gentleman’s Hunter Over Fences (Amateur to ride)

• Class 16 Handy Hunter Over Fences (Amateur & Professionals to ride): Over the Hunter trial course with handy hunter tests. Tests may include trotting a fence, opening and closing a gate, dropping a rail, mounting and dismounting, and backing up, with an emphasis on manners and promptness.

• Class 17 Pairs Hack (May include 1 professional): Shown at the walk, trot & canter. Riders may be asked to hold hard and back up.

• Class 18 Pairs Over Fences (May include 1 professional): Pairs to ride and take each jump abreast Juniors may make up their own team or ride with an adult. Riding and jumping in pairs has greater risk than riding singly. Only teams that have schooled together should enter. May jump high or low side of jump.

• Class 19 Hunt Teams Over Fences (May include 1 professional): Teams of 3 to ride at a safe hunting distance taking the last jump abreast. Juniors may make up their own teams or ride with an adult. Judged on manners, consistency of spacing, pace and general appearance. May take high or low side of the jumps.

• Class 20 Champion Hunter: To be determined at the discretion of the judges based on their opinion of most outstanding performance during the event. No Entry Fee.

• Awards: Most Suitable Horse and Rider