A large crowd gathered for what will probably be the last warm day for a long while. With the temperatures plunging this week, it was almost short sleeve weather for the FENCE Fall Hunter Pace.

The trail headed under I-26 to the main entrance, up to the waterpark and jump course, on into the woods to Cartwright Trails, along River Rd. and to the lower trails with many jumps of every height and material, both natural and manmade. There were many bridge crossings, and the water was a splendor with its tumbling over rocks and the creek crossings were serene and beautiful.

The ride was 8.03 miles.

The turnout was wonderful with a total of 151 riders in 72 teams.

There was a total of 76 riders in 39 teams for the Field Division with the preset optimum time of one hour, 45 minutes.

First place in the field division went to Bette Sumrell of Columbus with a time of one hour, 44 minutes, 27 seconds. Second place went to a team of two; Penny Sullivan and Susan Wallahora of Columbus with a time of one hour, 46 minutes, 16 seconds. Third place went to a team of three; Taylor Boswell of Moore, Tatianna Carey of Tryon and Erin Gambrell of Campobello with a time of one hour, 43 minutes, 19 seconds. The pretty in pink goes to Dustin and Sharon Brokosky of Williamston with a time of one hour, 41 minutes, 19 seconds. Fifth place went to Dan Bates and Ann Fratcher of Greer with a time of one hour, 49 minutes, 14 seconds. Sixth Place went to Betty Hill of Columbus and Sue Mullen of Landrum with a time of one hour, 49 minutes, 32 seconds. Honorable mention goes to Carrie Britt and Laurnie Smith of Leicester who were barely four and a half minutes off the optimum.

There were a total of 76 riders in 33 teams for the trail rider division. The calculated optimum time was two hours, 19 minutes, 13 seconds.

The blue ribbon was awarded to Melissa Gay of Easley and Dawn Johnson of Abbeville with a time of two hours, 19 minutes, 10 seconds; just three seconds time difference. Second place was awarded to Michael and Shelia Veatch of Moore with a time of two hours, 19 minutes, three seconds. Third place went to Doug and Nicole Cobb of Reidsville with a time of two hours, 18 minutes, 47 seconds. Fourth place went to Jane Heart, Melissa Jones of Landrum and Kim Kupfever of Columbus with a time of two hours, 16 minutes, 49 seconds. Fifth place goes to Alanna Howard of Greer with a time of two hours, 16 minutes, 33 seconds. Sixth place went to Kristen Hughes of Laurens and Jennifer Smith of Simpsonville with a time of twos; two hours, 22 minutes, two seconds.

The last hunter pace for the year is Sunday, Dec. 8, hosted by The River Valley Pony Club. Check the website often at www.wchpace.org for upcoming events, changes, and to view your photos taken by the infamous Lou Smith.

Lou and Jan Smith do such a bang up job on organizing this fantastic series of rides and we are grateful for the giving of themselves so freely.

– article by
Linda Farris