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The Green Creek Hounds Halloween WCH Series Hunter Pace and costume contest was held on Saturday, October 28. The event took place in the Green Creek community.

There were 104 entries for the Hunter Pace and many horses and riders were adorned with colorful and creative costumes. Kirks Kitchen food truck was onsite and there were desserts donated by members of the Green Creek Hounds.

The beautiful trails were expertly marked and well-groomed, taking riders through GCH hunt country over rolling hills and by bubbling streams. 

There were 41 riders in 19 teams in the Field Hunter Division. First Place Honors were awarded to the team of Lucy Hooper from Rutherfordton and Camie Stockhausen from Landrum with a time of one hour, 21 minutes, 47 seconds. Second place was awarded to Shannon Jackson from Ellenboro and Lola Mulliez with a time of one hour, 20 minutes, 23 seconds. The Third Place Yellow Ribbon was awarded to the team of Janada Jay from Hodges and Toni VonRuden from Bradley with a time of one hour, 20 minutes, and five seconds. 

In the Trail Rider Division, there were 49 riders in 20 teams. First Place Honors were awarded to the trio of Melissa Dalton and Maggie Rink from Marion and Emma Scala from Black Mountain. Their time was two hours, 12 minutes, 28 seconds. Not far behind, placing second, was Vicky Kinsella and Jazmine Whyte from Six Mile with a time of two hours, 13 minutes, one second. With a time of two hours, and nine minutes were Alicia and Mike Mansuetti from Easley, taking the Third Place Yellow Ribbon. 

The Mini-Pace or Short Ride was very well represented. Those riders included Anna Bennett, Elizabeth Buff, Donna Hajek, riding her second ride, Katie and Parker Hixson, Lynwood Jackson, Michelle King, Leslie Lattanzio, Louise Palmer, Leslie Scott, Tayeesa Sidorchuk, Andrea Stoll, and Jess Wright, who had her second ride of the day.

And, last but indeed not least, The Halloween Costume Contest! The judges had their job cut out for them. The judges decided on two divisions, Team and Individual. First-place honors in the Individual Division went to “Things 1 and 2.” Second place was awarded to “101 Dalmatians,” and Third Place was awarded to “Day of the Dead.” In the Team Division, Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore won top honors, followed by “Thing from the Grave” and “The Pumkin.” 

Next up on the Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series is The FENCE Fall Hunter Pace and Trail Ride to be held on Sunday, November 5. For more information, visit wchpace.org.