Once Again, The Tryon Hounds brought out the lovely weather for a beautiful day of riding at Meadows of Campbell Creek just off of Tugaloo Road. The Stone Cottage greeted everyone upon arrival. There were many photo-ops of the Majestic Glassy Mountain as well as the beautiful green meadows. The owner, Madelon Wallace was gracious to give permission for the Tryon Hounds Hunter Pace and Trail Ride.

 

Other landowners included Jim and Noreen Cothran of the Farm House, Penny Dean, Ellie Fincher, Tom and Ellen Henderson, Mack Henson, Chuck and Sarah Hodge, Norm and Janet Peterson, Kevin and Michelle Sumner, Betty Wall, and Red Horse Inn’s Mary and Roger Walter.

 

A lunch of hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, slaw, and chips was served under the trees.  The grill masters, Art Lazarus and Mike Rigney, kept the burgers and dogs coming.  Becky Barnes brought beautiful flowers to decorate the table.  Marsha Rigney and new member, Candy Clapp, kept busy serving.

 

Without the volunteers who give of their time year after year, this ride for the Hunter Pace Series would not have been possible. They are indispensable.  It takes hours to prepare for Hunter Paces and Trail Rides.  The trails must be cleared and marked, and directional signage must be placed on the roads. The Pace setter rides the course to set the Optimum time for the Field Hunters.  Reed McNutt set the time for this season’s Field Hunters.  Anita Williamson stepped up to the plate in the absence of Anne Pierce to handle the secretary duties at the registration table.

 

Joey Cabiness was the timer and starter.  Once again he gave the pep talk, answered questions, and promised to leave the light on! Emma, photographer Lou Smith’s able assistant, doubled as assistant to the timer and helped Joey with timing incoming teams.

 

The long standing team Nelson Minnick had working with him were Mike Axelrod, Dean McKinney, Wes Moore, Richard Pierce, Jim Sumrell, and Don West and new Huntsman, Trey Bennett.

 

Now, let’s get to the results:

The ride was a little over nine miles of beautiful Gowensville area trails. There were two teams for WINGS.  First place went to Bonnie Lingerfelt with a time of one hour, 13 minutes, four seconds.  Second place went to CeeCee Wilmanns with a time of one hour, 15minutes, 37 seconds.  There were a total of 51 riders in 26 teams for the Field Hunter Division vying for the pre-set Optimum Time of one hour, 31 minutes, 25 seconds.

 

First place in the Field Division went to Arlene Lulavage and Elise Rogers from Columbus with a time of one hour, 30 minutes, 30 seconds.  They were just 55 seconds off the Optimum Time. The Red ribbon went to Eileen Taylor from Lake Toxaway with a time of one hour, 29 minutes, 40 seconds.  The Third Place yellow ribbon went to Irene Backer from Greer and Paula Moore from Landrum with a time of one hour, 33 minutes, 52 seconds. Fourth Place was awarded to Beth Goldizen from Roebuck with a time of one hour, 33 minutes, 59 seconds. Fifth Place went to Mary Jane Rice from Landrum and Sherry Wyatt from Seneca with a time of one hour, 28 minutes, 13 seconds. Jan Ellis from Catawba brought home the Sixth Place ribbon with a time of one hour, 27 minutes, ten seconds.

 

Other Field Hunters out enjoying the beautiful trails and views were Amanda Aiello, Roberta and Michael Axelrod, Bryan Baire, Chloe Bosshard, Marsha Danier, Nicola Deines, Courtney Dodge, Anna Douthat, Jamie Frisch, Erin Gambrell, Catherine Gillet, Karen Graham, Martha Hall, Susan Haslam, Katie Hasselhoff, John Hicks, Vanessa Lockhart, Nancy Mason, Roberta McKinney, Pam Minnick, Bayliss Mitchell, Claire Moore, Connie Moore, Lisa Moore, Stephanie O’Neill, Kelly Rappuchi, Sara Riggins, Jessica Schulze, Donna Schwind, Penny Sullivan, Jenny Taylor, Virginia Thompson, Colby Towle, TJ Vore, Aileen and Allen Wawrzuszek, and Whitney Wright.

 

There were a total of 56 riders in 28 teams for the Trail Rider Division. The Calculated Optimum Time for these teams was two hours, 20 minutes, 57 seconds.

 

The Blue Ribbon was awarded to Cynthia Dooner from Montezuma and Regina Weeks with a time of two hours, ten minutes, 50 seconds, just a mere seven seconds off the Optimum Time! The Second Place red went to Valerie Quinn of Campobello and Bobby Turner from Spartanburg with a time of two hours, nine minutes, 17 seconds. Third Place went to Stephanie Easler from Mill Spring and Cindy Milligan from Columbus with a time of two hours, 12 minutes, 47 seconds. Forth Place went to Donna and David Taylor of Bostic, with a time of two hours, 13 seconds, 54 seconds. Fifth Place was awarded to Kelley Collins and Beth Ray with a time of two hours, seven minutes, 42 seconds.  Barbara Ketcham of Landrum and Susan Wykel of Columbus took Sixth Place honors with a ride time only four minutes, one second over the calculated optimum. Jane Eden of Columbus and Heather Freeman of Campobello were Honorable Mention after a ride of two hours, six minutes, 44 seconds.

 

Other Hill Toppers out to make the rounds were Holly Bacola, Katie Birchenough, Missy Bright, Chris Britton, Alaina Brooks, Tevis Cazedessus, Greg Cumberford, Anna Dalton, Kay Driver, Jo and Tom Eizember, Linda and Wayne Farris, Gale Ford, Suess Fraser, Brandon Gager, Amy Gee, Amber Graham, Jennifer Grant, Paula Hammond, Searby Hasselbring, Melinda Holland, Kristen Hughes, Sandra Hyder, Jennifer Israel, Virginia Jennings, Llyn Josef, Cody Lee, Sara and Teresa Lyter, Peggy McMakin, Gena Meredith, Kathleen and Martin Powell, Stephanie Schulte, Savanah Schulze, Donna Searby, Peter Shanahan, Jennifer Smith, Jan Smith, Andrea Stoll and Kris Yon.

 

Next up for the Spring Schedule is the ever popular River Valley Pony Club Spring Hunter Pace on Sunday, May 3^rd. The Biltmore Spring Hunter Pace follows, on Sunday, May 17. The Steps to Hope Benefit is scheduled for Sunday, May 31^st.  The Year-End Gathering is on tap for Sunday, June 21^st, 2015. Mark your calendars and plan to join us.

 

Remember to check the website WCHPace.org for all upcoming events, news, articles, photos, placements and contact information.

 

Thank you to our photographer, Lou Smith for being at every event as he and his assistant Emma Arcularius capture the riders and their mounts as they fly over jumps, canter through the fields and enjoy the beautiful area trails. Hit “Shop” on the website to view the pictures. If you like, you can place an order online.

 

For information on the Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series e-mail Series Coordinator, Jan Smith at Jan@WCHPace.org or wchpace@windstream.net or call Jan at 828-894-8760. See you on the trails!

 

– Submitted by Missy Bright and Louise Hughston