The inbound rain held off once again and gave Biltmore a beautiful day to bring riders in. Attendance was up as everyone loves to ride there! There were hints of color change in the higher elevations.

The trails were beautifully prepared by the Biltmore Equestrian Center crew. Registration was completed by the two Elizabeths. The Timers gave riders the trail color to follow and directions to make the ride most enjoyable. Riders were greeted at the Check Point with nice cold water and a three-minute rest. Lunch was catered by Biltmore and included a choice of veggie lentil soup or a tomato basil puree. In addition to the yummy soups were rolls, mixed salad, and cookies. The cookies must have been really good as they disappeared very quickly!

The trail was approximately eight miles. The trails took the riders and their mounts over the river and through the woods to trails that were wide open. The Optimum Time for the field Hunter division was one hour and thirty minutes.

Now, let’s get to the results:

There were a total of 20 teams and 37 riders in the Field Hunter Division. The Optimum time was one hour, 30 minutes.

The First Place Blue was awarded to a team of one, Amy Christenson from Landrum with a time of one hour, 30 minutes, 30 seconds. She was very close to the perfect time.

Close behind to bring home the Red Second Place Ribbons were Aileen and Allen Wawrzuszek from Mt. Carmel with a time of one hour, 29 minutes, 49 seconds. Another team from Tennessee was the duo of Jamie Fritsch from Johnson City and Angela Reichardt from Jonesborough with a time of one hour, 26 minutes, 12 seconds. They brought home the Third Place Yellow.

The Fourth Place ribbon was awarded to Debbie Croft from Anderson and Marcia Headrick from Townville with a time of one hour, 24 minutes, 38 seconds. Kelly Hart from Alberton and Sylvia Riddle from Raeford claimed Fifth Place with a time of one hour, 23 minutes, 35 seconds. Sanders Wyatt is the proud recipient of the Sixth Place Green Ribbon with a time of one hour, 21 minutes, 8 seconds.

An Honorable Mention nod goes to Bryan Baire from Rock Hill with a time of one hour 21 minutes, 7 seconds. One second out of Sixth Place

Other riders and their mounts in the field Hunter Division out enjoying the day were Maggie Arnold, Karen Brockway, Morgan Brown, Annette Brumback, Melissa Champion, Maggie Coombs, Annette Eaton, Leah Edwards, Lorie Fleenor, Ann Fratcher, Carla Fullam, Christina Goen, Alison Harp, Kristen Jarrett, Nancy Mason, Brenda McNanny, Holly Mitchell, Emily Mitchell, Annette Pierce, Caleigh Reichardt, Sara Riggings, Donna Schwind, Rebecca Tolson, Julie Waller, and Lisa Woodson.

There were a total of 27 teams and 94 riders in the Trail Rider Division! The Calculated Optimum Time was two hours, 25 minutes and 54 seconds. Here are the results:

Bringing home the First Place Blue was the team of Jeanine and John Pierce of Bristol with a time of two hours, 24 minutes, 35 seconds. Not far behind for the Second Place Red Ribbon was Destiney Edwards from Easley and Joy Griffin from Pickens with a time of two hours, 24 minutes, seven seconds.

The Third Place Yellow Ribbon was awarded to the quartet of Joanna Cromartic, Cordelia Gaupo, Emma Lane, and Diane Wilson, all from Asheville, with a time of two hours, 23 minutes, 52 seconds.

Fourth Place Honors are given to the trio of Lisa Kotalik from Tryon, Antje Richter from Rutherfordton, and Lisa West from Campobello with a time of two hours, 28 minutes, 21 seconds. The Fifth Place Pink Ribbon was given to Barb Oklesen from Tryon and Melissa Van Doren from Landrum with a time of two hours, 28 minutes, 58 seconds.

Rounding out the winner field for Sixth place with a time of two hours, 30 minutes, 51 seconds was Rebecca France from Gate City and Josie Smith from Fall Branch.

All winning placements in this division were less than five minutes off of the Calculated Optimum Time. Congratulations Riders!

Other Trail Riders who enjoyed the weather were Jennifer Bannister, Jennifer Bayne, Ellen Bell, Nellie Brennecke, Randall Brockburn, Alaina and MC Brooks, Susie Brown, Kristen Brown, Darleen Bullock, Delia Callahan, Tevis Cazedessus, Clarence Chambers, Cathleen Coggins, Eleharty Cory, Elaine Czarnecki, Sandy Dartone, Tom Erickson, Kelley Featheringill, Henry Fleming, Erin Fletcher, Sherry Garnes, Debbie and Mike Godfrey, Evie Good, Beth Green, Tammy Hannah, Maddie Harris, Robin Harward, Sherrill Howard, Kristen Hughes, Jamie Hutchins, Nikki Hynes, Cindy James, Marily Jason, Jessica Johnson, Debra Kennerly, Linda Klimeika, Susan Knickerbocker, McKenzie Kothe, Kelly Kuyerdall, Sarah Lawing, Ellen Lewis, Meg Littleton, Katie Lowder, Jennifer Martell, Ali Merritt, Amy Mims, Elizabeth Minewiser, Donna Morris, DeAnna Morton, Dakota Paniatowski, Ditti Phillips, Traci Pless, Valerie Quinn, Ali Ranson, Ashley Reeves, Christine and Megan Salyer, Forrest Samuels, Susette Schellin, Anne Schmid, Leslie Scott, Cathy Seager, Ruth Shaw, Jennifer A. Smith, Jennifer C. Smith, Jennifer R. Smith, Alexandra Spencer, Brooke Storms, Virginia Thompson, Terri Tilghman, Bobby Turner, Kristen Wayne, Ginny Weber, Bonnie Whisnant and Debra Witt.

Up next for the 2016-2017 Western Carolina Hunter Place Series is the Tryon Hounds Annual Fall Hunter Pace on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 at 490 North Campbell Creek off Tugaloo Road Gowensville, S.C. with the rain date Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. On deck is the Green Creek Hounds Halloween Hunter Pace to be held on Oct. 23, 2016 with their rain date as Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Come one and come all and have fun. And remember, safety comes first. Always watch out for other riders out on these beautiful trails.   

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

See you on the trails!

– article submitted by Jan Smith/Missy Bright