The true-hearted showed up in the chill and the wind for the FENCE spring Hunter Pace and Trail Ride on Sunday, Feb. 12.
Riders were greeted by Julie Gordon and Marilyn Yikes in the morning for registration and Gretchen Verbonic and Pat Soloman in the afternoon.
Joey Cabaniss served as timer and explained the red arrows and various signs along the way. John Boyle was timer’s assistant.
Halfway point was manned by Debra Canton and Ross Fox in the morning and the husband and wife team of Martha and Harry Love in the afternoon. They offered apple juice, water and port.
The trails were well marked and flagged by Rick Rondell. The cross-country course was popular as ever, but coming down the open jump course, riders found the water hazard had been hit by a quick freeze. Most riders threw on the brakes to avoid the semi-frozen water.
The wooded trails held back the wind and offered many places for quick trots and canter lanes. As long as you kept moving, your heart kept pumping and chill was next to none. The sun peeking through also helped.
Organizers said they appreciated FETA trail land owners and the Mahlers, as the largest part of the pace traversed their property.
Now, the results:
The optimum time for the field hunter division was one hour, 36 minutes, 30 seconds.  The calculated optimum time for the trail rider division was two hours, two minutes, 12 seconds. The ride was approximately seven miles long.  In the field hunter division there were 15 teams with 32 riders, and the trail riders division had 13 teams with 33 riders for a total of 28 teams and 65 riders.
Field hunter division
Taking home the blue ribbon for the field hunter division were Susan Haslam and Erin Lowe-Pagliano of Asheville with a time of one hour, 40 minutes, five seconds. Second place went to Stephanie Alice Keck of Clemson, S.C. and Jaclyn Markwith and Darby McJunkin of Greenville, S.C., with a time of one hour 40 minutes, 10 seconds.
Third place went to Doug McMillan of Belton and Vickie Smith of Inman with a time of one hour, 30 minutes, 50 seconds. Fourth place was awarded to Kay and Lorie Fleenor of Bristol, and Wendy Newbegin of Limestone, Tenn. with a time of one hour, 29 minutes, 20 seconds.