The annual Tryon Hounds Spring Hunter Pace and Trail Ride was chaired by Nelson Minnick, President of the Tryon Hounds and held at Long shadows Farm in Campobello on Sunday, April 28th. The event was run in the memory of long-time member, Louise Hughston, MFH. One hundred twenty-four competitors made up 63 teams participating in four sections of riders – Wings, Field Hunter, Trail Rider and Mini-Pace. The trail was 9.7 miles and the mini-pace trail was 6.5 miles. Trails were marked for jumpers and non-jumpers and wound through wooded areas, along rivers, creek crossings and around open fields offering wonderful vistas of the Pacolet River areas. 

The Wings winners were Nicola Deines of Landrum, Sara Keppler from Campobello and David Raley from Rutherfordton with a flying time of 57 minutes. Second place Wings riders were Jane Barrett and John Chatterton, both from Columbus, with a time of one hour, 21 minutes. The Third place Wings riders, Claire Moore and Jenny Taylor, both from Landrum, finished with a time of one hour, 30 minutes. 

The Optimum Time for the Field Hunter Division was one hour and 20 minutes. There was a two-way tie for First Place with Nicola Deines from Landrum and Amanda Jones from Ellenboro, tied with Samantha Vaught from Greer; both teams timed in at one hour 21 minutes. Third Place was Shannon Jackson, from Ellenboro, with a time of one hour and 16 minutes. Fourth Place had a three-way tie between Beth Fiszer from Roebuck, Debbie & Nora Claire Croft from Anderson and Diane Hicks from Pendleton, all with times of one hour, 25 minutes. 

Other riders participating in the Field Hunter Division were Birdie & Mike Axelrod, Sammie Bruce, Carolyn & Tom Cadier, Melissa Champion, Chris Crispens, Anna Dalton, Tom Eizember, Katie Fearington, Amy Gantt, Christina Gen, Martha Hall, Marcia Headrick, Lucy Hooper, DJ Jefferis, Megan Jornigan, Jenna Marshma, Anne McIver, Gena Meredith, Bill Bitchell, Emily Mitchell, Holly Mitchell, Catherine Mooneyham, Alex Mottershead, Towles Napper, Ricard Neel, Erin O’Dwyer, Elise & Maddie Rogers, Emma Skelton, Kirsten & Tom Stanley, Virginia Sullivan, Becky Tolson, Beau Willard, Jillian Woolridge and Leigh Younce. 

Ties predominated on that beautiful day! The Calculated Optimum Time for the Trail Rider Division was two hours, 21 minutes and 52 seconds. First place ribbons were awarded to four teams in the Trail Rider Division! Tammi Bruning and Madison Stout, both from Columbus, Karen Merrill and Teresa Snyder, both from York, Boots Plyler from Greenville, and Susannah Sitton from Mill Spring with Carrie & Olive Wilsey from Hendersonville, all four teams with a time of two hours, 21 minutes. The next teams were also tied for Fifth Place with Hannah Horton from Signal Mountain, TN, Natalie Hyatt Swenson & Jess Wright both from Marietta, also Anna LaVigne and Patt Tarr, both from Landrum, all with a time of two hours, 20 minutes. 

Also out to enjoy the beautiful day in the Trail Rider Division were Jeremy & Kristin Ahlum, Janet Burzlaff, Karen Benson, Taylor Blackwell, Tara Boyce, John Boyle, Alaina & MC Brooks, Carol Callahan, Kelly Cannon, Candace Carr, Tevis Cazedessus, Susanna Cord, Michelle Drum, Lynn Fitch, Crystal Fogeman, Julie Frederick, Carla Fullam, Heidi Greene, Carrie Gifferi, Savannah Hall, Lacey Hannu, Jamie Hempen, Laura Hendley, Jana Hinely, Peggy Horton, Brandy Johnston, Debbie Knebel, Lori Kunkel, Ronnie Mann, Brandy Miller, Claire Moore, Kay Mott, Rich Putnam, Allison Saari, Stephanie Schulte, Paul Sloan, Jennifer Smith, Jennifer R Smith, Annette Spencer, Suzanne Stettler, Pamela Temby, Leslie Threlkeld, Stacie Wadsworth, Maegan Watson, Jennifer Wilson and Emily Wojcik. 

Out to enjoy the famous Tryon Hounds hospitality and participate in the Mini-Pace were Vicki Belharz, Barrie Coffin, Jennifer Downay, Melinda Holland, Patricia Iacomini, Linda Lambert, Carole Milne, Crystal Montoya, Ivey Sumrell and Elizabeth Winegar. 

Next up for the Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series is the Cannon Equine Hunter Pace and Trail Ride scheduled for Sunday, May 5th, 2019 at Croft State Park in Spartanburg, SC.  

Check the website at www.wchpace.org for more information.  

Reported by Lynn Fitch and Jan Smith / Photography by Lou Smith