Event Frequently Asked Questions

This year we are accepting event and clinic entries and payment exclusively through Event Entries. 

Please check the 2024 events  page. This is where you can find your entry status including missing forms or payments, as well as ride times (usually about three days before the event).

We can accommodate minimal overnight guests. The charge is $40 per night. Please inquire for more details. 

Trailers may park in the Northwest field to the right of the farmhouse (you will go in past the main barn and continue West up towards the house). On Mini Trial days there will be signs to guide you. Cars should  park along the driveway leading up to the farmhouse. There is not access to electricity hookups, but there is a water spigot located in the trailer parking field.

If you cancel before the closing date of an event, we can offer a full refund minus an office fee, which we keep. If you cancel after the closing date, there is no refund offered. The exception to this is for Mini Trials and Clinics if we have a waitlist. If someone can take the spot, a refund will be given minus the $25 office fee.

• ASTM-certified helmets and medical armbands are required whenever mounted. 
• Safety vests are required on the Cross Country course. 
• PLEASE BRING A PINNY-HOLDER FOR YOUR NUMBER. 
• Tucked-in collared shirts with clean breeches and heeled boots are required, jackets are optional. 

Dressage tests may be read out loud to the rider during their test. As for falls and refusals, the beauty of our Mini Trials is that they are schooling shows, so we will allow you to finish your jumping course even if you have more than three refusals on course. Refusals and falls will still be penalized in the score, but then horse and rider will be allowed to keep going. If a rider or horse is deemed to be riding unsafely they will be pulled off course by the steward.

Ride times will be available and linked at least three days prior to the event on the 2024 events page and on Event Entries. Please be aware we run our events from the highest level down, beginning with Training and working down to grasshopper in the afternoon. 

The Cross Country course will be open to walk the morning of the event. You may walk the Cross Country course at any point on show day as long as you stay out of the way of any riders on course.

Cross country schooling will be open after the conclusion of the event for an additional $30. You may also contact us to set up a time to school outside of the event day, either with your own trainer or with Sunrise's trainer.

You can find the link for live scoring as well as final results linked on the 2024 events page.

We are seeking sponsors for our 2025 mini trial series. Please check back for more information!  However series end points will be awarded on the following basis.

1st place: 4 points

2nd place: 2 points

3rd place: 1 point

Best score if running multiple divisions within a level: 1 bonus point

A Pair Pace is a FUN group ride of teams ranging from two to four riders through our Cross Country Field.   This event is a low-key competition that was originally derived from foxhunting.  Each team follows  a map of an outdoor course, and attempts to ride as close to the optimum time or fastest time for their division as possible (more about scoring below). 

It's kind of like a Foxhunt without the hounds!  You do not have to ride fast to be competitive, nor do you have to jump - this event is for all levels of riders and horses.

• Safety vests are 100% required. 
• ASTM-certified helmets, heeled boots and medical armbands are required whenever mounted. 
• Casual riding attire is just fine, but fun team colors and costumes are encouraged, especially for our annual Night-Mares on Shields Street Pair Pace!!

 The Optimum Time Winners

The team that finishes closest to the optimum time, either above or below, in each division is the winner!

The Fastest Time Winners

The team that finishes the fastest in each division is the winner!

 All jumps are optional, and there are multiple jumps to consider for each division. Falls/refusals are not penalized; it's only about the time and having fun! 

 There are three divisions. All of the divisions will follow a similar course.  Competitors that are jumping will go over the fences and non-jumpers just “go around” the jumps! There may be a variety of other obstacles to negotiate such as water crossings or ditches.

​

FLAT or GREEN AS GRASS DIVISION:  a leisurely walk/trot pace following the course map, all jumps are optional.​

LOW DIVISION:  a trotting pace division where most riders opt to jump obstacles that are 2’ or below.   

HIGH DIVISION:  a canter pace division where riders opt to jump obstacles 2’7” or higher.   

There aren't very many!  You can ride in whatever saddle, bridle, and bit you choose.   There is no dress code, although, during our Halloween Pair Pace individual or team costumes are encouraged!  ASTM approved helmets are required for all divisions. (**Keep in mind, some horses may be a bit shy seeing their riders and fellow horses in costume for the Halloween ride, so be sure to stay alert in case your horse, or someone else's, thinks one of those costumes might be an actual horse eating monster!! 🤣😂🤣**) 

Above all else, staying safe and having fun are the number one rules for Pair Pace events!!

 ​To keep you and your fellow participants safe and happy please be sure to: 

•  If Assistance is Needed: Be mindful of other riders and stop to lend a hand if someone is having trouble.  
• Stay On Course:  Respect the landowners and ride and jump only on the marked course
• ​Remember!!! Jumpers have the right-of-way at all times. 
• Listen to, and follow the direction of your Cross Country Judges AT ALL TIMES! This will ensure a safe and fun day for everyone participating!!

Just let us know in the special instructions when  you sign up and we'll find you a team the day of the event!

Absolutely, just add an additional course on your entry form! And if you decide you want to add on another round on the day, that's fine, too.

Please make a note of who is on your team on your entry in the special instructions section. If you forget, feel free to email us.

We bring in upper level Eventing and Dressage clinicians. Previous clinicians include Sharon White and Christian Eagles. Check our 2025 events page for who we're bringing in this year!

We offer anywhere from Introductory to USEA Advanced level clinics for Dressage and Stadium Jumping sessions. Our ever-growing cross country course can accommodate sessions up to Training level, with a few Preliminary questions available.

•  A collared shirt tucked into breeches with a belt. Jackets or vest are acceptable but hoodies or sweatshirts are not appropriate. Please ensure your attire is clean and neutral colored. All tack and equipment should be clean and neat.
• Safety vests are 100% required on the Cross Country Course. 
• ASTM-certified helmets and heeled boots are required whenever mounted.

We highly value the time and often hours of travel our clinicians put into coming to teach us at Sunrise, and therefore expect that all riders similarly respect the clinicians we bring in. This means riders should be properly dressed, mounted and already warmed up at the starting time of their clinic session. We leave it up to the discretion of our clinicians about what to do with riders that are late or inappropriately dressed, and they are welcome to dismiss the rider with no refund being offered.