Despite the rain coming down all around the area, little fell at Biltmore and attendance was good! There were windows of no rain at all and some riders timed themselves well enough to stay dry. Riders arrived in good spirits and were happy to get out on the trails and enjoy some beautiful colors indicating the coming fall season. In a promise that fall is on the way, a beautiful tree greeted everyone at the entrance to Biltmore with its golden fall foliage. Held Sept. 27, this was the third competition of the Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series for 2015-2016.

Trails were in much better condition than anticipated, and recent grading was appreciated. There were turkeys and deer out and about to greet riders. Adding to the scenery were the kayaks on the river. As the rain started, care was taken on the ride down the steep trail to the creek. “Good trail horses are the best judges of footing.” Thank you Donna Schwind for that wise observation.

The trails were beautifully prepped by Alex Cater, Mason Wood, and Elizabeth McLean. Registration was handled very nicely by Ashley Oliver and Elizabeth McLean. Mark Wood did a wonderful job of timing. The timers gave the riders the trail color to follow and directions to make the ride more pleasant. Riders were greeted at the check point by Noah Hines. They supplied the riders with some nice icy cold water, the three minutes rest, and a pleasant good bye, good luck as they sent them back on their way. Lunch was provided by Biltmore and as usual there were sandwich platters, cookies, brownies, pretzels, marinated olives, pickles, and cole slaw ready and waiting for hungry riders.

The trail was approximately eight miles and took riders over the river and through the woods to wide open trails. There were freshly graded trails as well. Riders were on the Green Trail.

Now, let’s get to the results:

There were a total of 59 riders in 26 teams for the Field Hunter Division. The Optimum Time for the Field Hunter division was one hour, 40 minutes.

First place in the Field Division went to the team of two, Sylvia Brown from Raeford and Kelly Hart from Chester with a time of one hour, 39 minutes, 36 seconds. They were just 24 seconds away from the optimum time! The second place red goes to a team of three riders: Harlee Fulford from Greeneville, Zoe Sarvis from Bristol and Page Tillison from Erwin with a time of one hour, 41 minutes, 13 seconds. Third place is a tie between two teams with a time of one hour, 41 minutes, 55 seconds. Riders for one team are Justin Collinet and Raina Rushing from Bristol and the other team is Ashley Martin, Luci Januszkievicz and Lauren Parris, all from Biltmore. Fifth place is awarded to Beth Goldizen from Roebuck with a time of one hour, 38 minutes, 1 second. Sixth place is goes to a team of two, Kim and Katie Bradley from Bristol with a time of  one hour, 36 minutes, 36 seconds. An honorable mention goes to Brooke Bailey from Johnson City and Sarah Brillhart with a time of one hour, 43 minutes, 50 seconds. They were a mere 26 seconds out of sixth place!

Other riders on the books to enjoy the day were: Amanda Aiello, Kathy Barrett, Kailey Beck, Sara Borcosky, Nancy and Jack Brigmon, Karen Brockway, Chrystal Crispin, Anna Davis, Nicola Deines, Grace Doncousse, Felicia Duck, Lynn Fitch, Lorie Fleenor, Ann Fratcher, Jamie Fritsch, Rod Hawk, Brittany Husband, Janada and Lauren Jay, Victoria Joseph, Susan Knickerbocker, Carol Land, Mary Marsten St. John, Nancy Mason, Brenda McNenny, Paula Moore, Anne Pierce, Angela and Caleigh Reichardt, Chris Riddle, Anne Ridgely, Sarah Riggins, Mirri Jene Robertson Haddon, Elise Rogers, Natalie Schentrd, Anne Schmid, Donna Schwind, Julia Seibold, Marin Simpkins, Eileen Taylor, Rachael Tessner, Catherine Vaughnkeen, Aileen and Allen Wawrzuszek.

There were a total of 42 riders in 19 teams in the Trail Rider-Hill Topper Division. The Calculated Optimum time was two hours, 221 minutes, 31 seconds. Here are the results:

In first place with a time of two hours, 20 minutes, 5 seconds is Jenny Deney from Easley, Sandra Larson from Travelers Rest and Janna Ritacco from Greer. Second place red goes to Valerie Quinn from Campobello and Bobby Turner from Spartanburg with a time of two hours, 25 minutes, 10 seconds. Third place with a time of two hours, 27 minutes, 31 seconds goes to Jeff  McQueen from Waynesville and Monica Shaw from Clyde. Fourth place is awarded to Kristen Brown from Boiling Springs and Jennifer R. Smith from Landrum with a time of two hours, 14 minutes, 56 seconds. The fifth place pink is awarded to the quartet of Jessica Johnson and Lauren Smith from Mt. Carmel, Christine and Megan Salyer from Blowmville. Ally Dunlavey and Olynda Stretcher from Spartanburg took the sixth place green with a time of two hours, 12 minutes, 55 seconds. An honorable mention is awarded to the trio of Amanda Fisher from Greer, Kylie Simms from Travelers Rest and Carolina Wilson from Greenville with a time of two hours, 12 minutes 27 seconds, just a mere 28 seconds from sixth place.

Other trail riders out to enjoy the day were Katie Birchenough, Shea and Jim Black, Maxine Cook, Greg Cumberford, Terri and Bob Davenport, Kay Fleenor, Sherry and Barry Garnes, Ann and Tony Hubbuch, Tracy Hudson, Nikki Hynes, Dana Kind, Lisa Kotalik, Janet LeCroy, Arlene Lulavage, DeAnna Norton, Ditti Phillips, Margaret Rumsey, Rachel and Marc Sauve, and Lauren Wade.

Up next for the 2015-2016 Hunter Pace Series is Tryon Hounds Fall Hunter Pace on Oct. 11, 2015. On deck will be The Green Creek Hounds Halloween Hunter Pace and Trail Ride scheduled for Oct. 25. Be sure to get your costumes ready!

Check the website often at www.wchpace.org for upcoming events, changes, and view your photo taken by photographers Lou Smith and Emma Arcularius.

See you on the trails next time!

–       Submitted by Missy Bright