Once again Mother Nature granted the Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series a lovely Sunday. The Green Creek Hounds Spring Hunter Pace went off without a hitch from their John Watson Road location. The trails were beautifully groomed and well-marked with arrows and polka dot ribbons on the eight-mile course for the Field Hunters and Trail Riders. The Mini Pace was marked with pink ribbons for the four and a half miles that carried them on many of the same trails as the other groups. The Green Creek Gang did not disappoint this weekend! 

 

Many thanks to the following volunteers. Without you, this great event could not have taken place. DJ Jefferis, Cray Dalton, Mark James, Luanne Johnson, Debbie Jundt, Deb Kornacki, Holly Mitchell, Ginny Sullivan, Lenore Threlkeld, Janet Cummings, Jana Hinely, Skip Leck, Betsy McCray, Paul Sloan. Ann Troppmann, Joey Cabaniss, Jim Troppmann, Tara Boyce, Beth Fisher, Elaine Hobbs, Lucy Hooper and Cynthia Milligan. 

 

Our Hunter Pace and Trail Rides would not be able to take place without the generosity of our gracious land owners who allow us to enjoy their property and trails for these events and although some of them wish to remain anonymous, we offer heartfelt thanks! Also, many thanks to The Farm House in Landrum for the coupons placed in the top ten spots for the Field Hunters and Trail Riders.  

 

The ride brought 89 riders in 44 teams to the beautiful meadows and forestland. The trail length was roughly eight miles for the Field Hunters and Trail Riders. The Mini-Pacers had a reduced distance of four and a half miles. Their trails veered off onto their own private trace, later rejoining the main trail. There were plenty of obstacles for riders to traverse if they so chose. The crossing guards were of great help to insure traffic was stopped so riders and their mounts safely crossed the road twice during the course. 

 

In the Field Hunter Division there were 39 riders in 19 teams. The Optimum Time was forty-six minutes. 

 

1st – Taylor Blackwell and Charlie Runion – 37:09 

2nd – Shannon Jackson – 57:52 

3rd – Carolyne and Tom Cadier – 59:35 

4th – Nathalie Weenaels – 59:55 

5th – Elise Rogers and Stephanie Wanicka -59:56 

6th – Jane Barrett and John Chatterton – 1:00:51 

 

Other Field Hunters out enjoying the day were: Jessica Aimes, Kinsley Allaire, Jacklyn Bonner, Tamarra Bruning, Debbie Croft, Nicola Deines, Stephanie Easler, Karolin Eichler, Tom Eizenberger, Beth Fiszer, Caprice Fullam, Sara Gibbens, Gabrielle Grubic, Susan Haslam, Marcia Headrick, Diane Hicks, Lucy Hooper, Amanda Aiello Jones, Megan Jornigan, Catherine Mooneyham, Richard Neel, Emma Otten, Neil Parnes, Linda Plummer, Maddie Rogers, Madison Stout, Erin Stroud, Mandy Su, Rebecca Tolson, and Faith Wanicka. 

 

In the Trail Rider Division there were 42 riders in 20 teams. The Calculated Optimum Time was one hour, 45 minutes, three seconds.  

 

1st – Anna Dalton, Lenore and Leslie Threlkeld 1:44:20 

2nd – Jennifer Smith -1:44:17 

3rd – Cindy James, Amy Mims and Sheila West – 1:46:09 

4th – Lynn Fitch and Debbie Knebel – 1:43:35 

5th – Karen Merrill and Teresa Snyder – 1:43:23 

6th – Carla Fullam – 1:43:07 

 

Other Trail Riders out enjoying the trails and – making the rounds were Teresa Altman, Missy Bright, Stacy Calvert, Chris and Kelly Cannon, Susannah Cord, Pernilla Dale, Julie Frederick, Heather Gross, Susan Halderman, Emily Holden, Peggy Horton, Jill Kelly, Anna LaVigne, Christy Ledbetter, Claire Moore, Paula Moore, Meaghan Morris, Dot Moyer, Kathleen Nebel, Boots Plyler, Leslie Shealy, Patt Tarr, Michelle Townsend, Lisa Trojan, Maegan Watson, Carrie and Olive Wilsey, Jennifer Wilson, and Kailey Wortman. 

 

Also out riding in the Mini Pace were: David & Jeanne Ahrenholz, Patricia Iacomini, Sharon Maxwell, Carole Milne, Connie Moore, Ivey Sumrell, and Tommi Young. 

 

The next event will be the Tryon Hounds Spring Hunter Pace and Trail Ride on Sunday, April 7th, 2019 at Long Shadows Farm located at 500 Blackwell Road in Campobello.  

 

Visit www.wchpace.org for upcoming events, changes, and to view your photos taken by Photographer Lou Smith.  

 

– Submitted by Missy Bright and Jan Smith / Photos by Lou Smith