The sun came out, dried the trails and warmed the bodies of both horse and rider for the River Valley Pony Club’s winter Hunter Pace and Trail Ride Sunday, Jan. 19.

The trails meandered through single lane woods to open apple orchards and great places to canter. There were a couple of bridges as well as sandy bottom creek crossings, along with various log jumps to enjoy. Over high vistas were sweeping views of the mountains shining brightly with the blue clouds.

The ride was 7.5 miles of beautiful trails. There were a total of 69 riders in 38 teams. There were 31 riders in 17 teams for the Field Division with an optimum time of one hour, 25 minutes.

First place in the Field Division went to Carla Fullam of Mills River, N.C.  and Bonnie Hannah of Fletcher, N.C. with a time of one hour, 25 minutes, 58 seconds. The red ribbon went to Beth Goldizen of Roebuck, S.C. with a time of one hour, 23 minutes, 18 seconds. Yellow went to Rod Hawk of Asheville, N.C. and Eileen Taylor of Lake Toxaway, N.C. with a time of one hour, 22 minutes, 48 seconds. Fourth place went to Kathy Hodge of Asheville and Shauna Moore of Columbus with a time of one hour, 27 minutes, 47 seconds. Fifth place went to Stephanie Easler and April Mink of Mill Spring with a time of one hour, 28 minutes, seven seconds. Sixth place went to Ann Fratcher of Greer, S.C. and Gena Meredith of Landrum with a time of one hour 29 minutes, 24 seconds. Honorable Mention went to Calvin Halford and Rhonda Lewis, both of Columbus, with a time of one hour, 20 minutes, two seconds.

There were a total of 38 riders in 21 teams for the Trail Rider Division. The Calculated Optimum Time was two hours, one minute, one second.

The Blue Ribbon was awarded to Kristen Hughes of Laurens, S.C. and Jennifer Smith of Simpsonville, S.C. with a time of one hour, 58 minutes, 30 seconds. Second place went to Erin Gambrell of Campobello, S.C. and Natalie Tanski from Florida with a time of one hour, 56 minutes, 52 seconds. Third place was awarded to Karen Brockway of Greenville, N.C. and Nancy Mason of Greer, S.C. with a time of one hour, 56 minutes, 45 seconds. Fourth place goes to Lin Martin of Campobello, S.C. with a time of one hour, 55 minutes, 52 seconds. Fifth place goes to Anne Pearce of Columbus and Anita Williamson of Tryon with a time of two hours, six minutes, 25 seconds. Sixth place went to Cynthia Milligan of Columbus and Kathleen Nebel of Tryon with a time of one hour, 55 minutes, six seconds.

Check the website often at www.wchpace.org for upcoming events, changes, and to view your photos taken by our official photographer, Lou Smith.

– article submitted by Linda Farris