HUNTER TRIALS

Trophies for most divisions, ribbons for top 6 in each class!

Join the Ottawa Valley Hunt for our 2026 Hunter Trials, hosted at Meadowvale Farm on Saturday, August 22.  The trials are open to all - you do not need to be a member of a hunt club!

The trials include a lead line class for future foxhunters, individual classes on the flat and over fences, and, in the hunter trials tradition, classes for riders in pairs and in teams of three. Also featured are a Champagne Challenge and a Handy Hunter class inspired by the principles of Working Equitation!

Your judge is Grits McMullen, ex-OVH Master and President and coach extraordinaire.

All courses are designed to build rider and horse confidence. Fences are low (2'3" to 2'6") and inviting.

There will be an opportunity to school over the fences and Handy Hunter obstacles ahead of the 9 am start.

  • Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
  • Start time: 9 am (schooling starts at 8 am)
  • Location: Meadowvale Farm, 1247 Corkery Road, Carp, ON, K0A 1L0
  • Cost: $40 per class or buy a day pass for $220 which lets you enter as many classes as you want!

All prices include HST.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Registration closes at 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 20. You can change and add classes on site; however, in order to speed up the process on the day of competition, you must register by the deadline and select at least one class.

Classes

  1. Lead-line class for future foxhunters (children's horses are led by an adult or older child)
    ***Sponsored by Shirley Douglas***
  2. Field hunters on the flat (may be divided into Junior and Senior classes) ***Sponsored by Dr. Ted Thomas***
  3. Pairs on the flat ***Sponsored by Mind and Body Wellness for You***
  4. Champagne challenge (the horse and rider with the most bubbles left in their glass)*
    ***Sponsored by Gurtie Kenny***
    *may be moved to after the lunch break depending on timing

    LUNCH BREAK
    Bring a tailgate and decorated table – prize for the best table ***Sponsored by ER Farrier Service***
    Course walk for Handy Hunter class (course will not be available prior to this)
  5. Handy Hunter (will be run concurrently with the afternoon classes in Ring 2)
    ***Sponsored by Wolf Meadows Farm***
  6. Field hunters over fences ***Sponsored by Edgewood Canadians***
  7. Pairs over fences ***Sponsored by Mississippi Mills Animal Hospital ***
  8. Teams of 3 over fences (following or in unicorn formation) ***Sponsored by Anne McKibbin***

Ribbons to sixth place -  Loot bags for class 1 - Prizes and/or prize money for each of the other classes, the horse most suitable for the hunt field and best turned-out horse and rider

Sponsorship

Increase your visibility within the Ottawa Valley riding community! By becoming a class sponsor ($200 HST incl.), your name will be added to this event and to the results page, your name will be announced at the show and your name will be included in the results email to 1,200+ distribution list and results post to 4,000+ social media followers. 

BECOME A SPONSOR

Dress code

Braiding your horse is encouraged for hunter trials, but not required. If possible, your horse should wear a white, shaped saddle pad. For riders, the attire includes a white shirt with a stock tie, black or navy jacket and beige breeches. If you're missing a shaped saddle pad or a show jacket, contact masters@ottawavalleyhunt.com. OVH members with colours may wear their formal attire and other hunt appointments.