I cant think of a better way to spend a Memorial Sunday than in the saddle with those that best serve us – the horse.

River Valley Pony Club was just as organized as they always are. The trails were marked with pink ribbons, red arrows and even a sign about a hive of non-stinging bees and not to worry. The mission of the United States Pony Clubs is to provide a program for youth that teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies, thereby developing responsibility, moral judgment, leadership and self-confidence.

The CETA and NPA trails have to be the most well groomed, scenic and adventuresome trails of all trails. There were many jumps throughout and many overlooks of the mountains and landscape.

Registration was held by Kathy Brian and Carol Basye. They gave out packets of horse information and candy and your lunch ticket to each rider.

No one could go wrong with many timers letting people know of the course and keeping perfect paperwork. Vicki DePalma, Dakota DePalma, Emily Dingwell, Allie Cockman and Abby Billiu served as timers.

Halfway point was handled by Sam, Mike, Helen and Ben Firby, Katie, Emma Hay, Anne Basket and Emily Dingwell. They offered water and apple juice and fruit candy.

The parking guys, Chuck Bryan, Robert Williams, Bill and Sam Basye, did their best handling so many trailers in a large open field.

A BBQ meal was provided by Harry Denton and a bake sale offered cakes, cookies, brownies and coffee cakes. All the proceeds from the bake sale will be presented to the Foothills Humane Society. Dawn Dingwell, Elizabeth Roundtree, and many of the kids made the goodies as well as horse treats. A silent auction was also held, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Polk Equine Emergency Rescue. Tryon Equine Hospital has guaranteed to match RVPCs donations. There also was a booth set up for PEER and CART to answer questions as well as Tracey Daniels and Love Your Critter Pet Sitter, and Foothills Humane Society had a couple of adoptable pets.

Amy Moore and Kathi Brian organized many volunteers and the landowners of Collinsville Equestrian Trail Association (CETA) and the North Pacolet Association (NPA) let riders take in their manicured trails. Lisa Otto allowed full use of her fields for the starting point, Jane Gallaghers fields were used for the halfway point, and Allen Slaters Marlboro Country was also used. Ruth Gold and Allen Bridge from CETA, and Dogan Wilson from NPA helped develop the trail system for this event.

The other volunteers were Grace Basye, Kristen and Abby Billiu, Dana Kind, Chloe and Holly Boshhard, Kathi and Chuck Brian, Cathy Taylor, Allic Cockman, Maren Daniels, Laura May, Samantha Haase, Abbie and Ken Just, Ashley and Krista Just, Abby Moore, Laura Price, Kate and Rebecca Price, Robert Williams, Nicola and Isabell Rountree-Williams, and John Brodie, Charlene McMurray, Keileigh McMurray, Suzanne and Hunter Metcalf.

Many other supporters included Natasha Jaskiewicz, the animal chiropractor Libbie Johnson, Little Mountain Farm Supply, Marilyn Yike Elizabeth, Rountree and Robert Williams EquiDress – Shauna Williams Tracey, Suelin Lilly-Ammons, Advocare Nicole Watts, EquiZen Horse Therapies LLC.

Now, the results:

There were a total of 97 riders and 49 teams of competitors. 58 riders in 28 teams for the Field Hunter Division. 39 riders in 20 teams for the Trail Riders.

The optimum time for the Field Hunter Division was two hours, six minutes, 14 seconds. The calculated optimum time for Trail Rider Division was two hours, six minutes, 23 seconds. The mileage for the Trail Division was 7.26 and the Hunter Division was 10.01 miles. A little longer ride for the Hunter Division to give them more time on the run.

Taking home the Blue ribbon for the Field Hunter Division were Baiba Bourbeau of Tryon and Beatrice Lamb of Inman with a time of two hours, four minutes, 40 seconds. Second place went to Michael and Roberta Axelrod of Columbus with a time of two hours, seven minutes and 50 seconds. Third place went to Stephanie Culbertson of Fountain Inn with a time of two hours, three minutes and 28 seconds. A team of four took home fourth place; Anita Crouse and Melissa Metcalfe of Marion, Peggy Horton of Tryon, and Harold Phiffer of Mill Spring with a time of two hours, three minutes, 28 seconds. Fifth place went to Sarah Howell of Rutherfordton, Frieda Jessen of Ellenboro, Nicolette Orsley of Mooresboro and Haleigh Wilson of Rutherfordton with a time of two hours, two minutes, 32 seconds. Sixth place was awarded to Judy Heinrich of Columbus with a time of two hours, one minute and 12 seconds.

Also out to enjoy the open meadows, bridges and creek crossings in the wooded trails were: Bill Anderson, Sandra Bailey, Darbie Barr, Bill and Terry Boger, Jennifer Bost, Lexi and Morgan Conrad, Liz Crawley, Sarah Crouse, Janice Cyrill, Bruce Drohan, Ken Feagin, Ann Fratcher, Kathy Godsey, Betty Hill, Susan Jackson, Katie Jones, Patti Lovelace, Jamie Maddox, Hilary Martin, Buck and Linda Matthews, Dean and Roberta McKinney, Casey Morris, Laurel Murphy, Lindsey Newsom, Katie ONeal, Thomas Pluemper, Sara Riggins, Janna Ritacco, Ric Rondell, Karen Sennewald, Sally Shepherd, Anne and Kelsey Spicer, Lisa Spriggs, Megan Tarre, Bobby Turner, Skyler Warren, Sarah Whitten, Rachel Wood and Kris Yon.

Taking home first place in the Trail Rider Division was Andrew Clarke of Tigerville with a time two hours, four minutes, 45 seconds. The Red ribbon went to Lisa Kotallik of Tryon with a time of two hours, eight minutes, 57 seconds. Third place went to Kim Adams and Linda Lambert of Columbus with a time of two hours, thirteen minutes, 42 seconds. Fourth place was awarded to Sally and Russell Rock of Campobello with a time of one hour, 57 minutes, 33 seconds. Fifth place went to Victoria Bailey of Woodruff, Kelly Cannon of Moore, Khrystynna Hunsinger of Danville, and Abby McCraw of Boiling Springs with a time of one hour, 56 minutes, 42 seconds. Bringing in sixth place was Brenda Cox of Landrum and Neil Parnes of Spartanburg with a time of two hours, 16 minutes, 10 seconds.

Also out to soak up the sun and play throughout the course were: Jerry, Megan and Melinda Alexander, Doug and Linda Algire, Deanna Baldwin, Brian Butler, Linda and Wayne Farris, Susan Fiala, James Kennedy, Debra Kennerly, Virginia Leavitt, Alemena and Ed Lominack, Michael and Sharon Maxwell, Paula Mierop, Elizabeth Morosani, Anne Pierce, Boots and Erin Plyler, Mekenzie Reynolds, Linda Salinas, Jennifer Smith, Mary Tolles and Stacie Wadsworth.

Dont forget the end of the season fun ride on the West Range of Biltmore on June 20. Get Lou to take a portrait shot of your group before they get sweaty and then go at your own pace on the trails of one of the most beautiful spots in the world. The Year End Awards Gathering, scheduled for June 20, to benefit HALTER, is set as one last event before we take our summer break.

Remember to check the website WCHPace.org for all upcoming events, news, articles, photos, placements and contact information.

Lou Smith was on hand at the Steps to HOPE Hunter Pace and Trail Ride, as usual, to take pictures of the riders. Click on the photo section of www.wchpace.org for a view of the horses and riders enjoying the track.

For information on the Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series e-mail Series Coordinator, Jan Smith at jan@wchpace.org or wchpace@windstream.net or call her at 828-894-8760.