Junior Invitational Hunt

and qualifer for Junior North American Field Hunter Championship 

  • Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
  • Start time: 11 am (be mounted by 10:30 am)
  • Location: Ottawa Valley Hunt, 8935 Abb Road, Ottawa
  • Cost: Free for OVH juniors (21 and under), $25 for other juniors
  • Junior accompaniment: Juniors who have not been cleared to hunt on their own by a master must be accompanied by a coach/instructor (free) or chaperone ($25)
  • Register: Contact an OVH master (see
    Riding as a guest); specify whether you are
    registering for the junior hunt or participating in the JNAFHC qualifier.
Register by October 3rd!
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Junior Invitational Hunt
Ottawa Valley Hunt (OVH) invites riders 21 years of age and under to come experience our drag hunt with hounds on Saturday, October 4. This is a great opportunity to broaden horizons and to try something new both for the horse and rider. Did you know that juniors can ride as guests with us up to three times a year and that OVH’s membership fees are greatly reduced for juniors and even free for juniors who qualify for our junior program?

The junior hunt will offer three pace groups (fields) to choose from, each led by a fieldmaster:
  • 3rd field that travels mainly at walk and trot with some canter
  • 2nd field that travels at walk/trot/canter and with some optional jumping 
  • 1st field which will follow the hounds most closely at walk/trot/canter and with jumping. Each junior is expected to have a coach/instructor or other capable adult rider approved by a parent to ride with them in the field. 
There will be a meal at our clubhouse immediately following the hunt.

Resources: Riding as a guest, hunt etiquette, dress code, junior program

We look forward to riding with you!
Junior North American Field Hunter Championship
Finals take place on November 14 & 15, 2025 at Moore County Hounds, Southern Pines, North Carolina. 

Divisions:
  • Hilltoppers (10 and under & 11 - 18), and
  • First Field (13 and under & 14 - 18)
Pre-requisites: 
  1. 18 years or younger as of August 1, 2024; member of a hunt;
  2. Hunted min. 5 times and participated in min. 3 hound events this year (download form)
  3. You must ride the horse that you qualify with at the finals.
JNAFHC Judging Criteria
  • Riding skills/Judgement
    Safety (crosses ditches/streams, handles down hills), off the horse’s back at a gallop/going up hills; handles a refusal or sticky situation well. Knows what to do with staff coming through; can execute a walking reverse if necessary.
  • Suitability
    Size and behavior of horse relative to size and ability of rider; not “over-mounted”.
  • Etiquette/Manners
    Not passing others; no talking; no tailgating.
  • Gates
    Offer to open gates; efficiency of opening and closing gates; catch up to field quickly without disruption.
  • Hounds
    Quiet while hounds are working; gives way to hounds; mount respects hounds.
  • Neat/Tidy
    No braiding or formal “show” attire, Ratcatcher - well turned-out; mount appears well cared for.