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What started out as a chilly day brought out the lightweight vests and long sleeves instead of raincoats and heavy parkas. Parking in the upper and lower fields was a breeze since the grounds were dry and full of lush green grass. 

The 7.4-mile trails were in wonderful shape and in the XC field the trail had been freshly mowed which made it easy to follow. The trails were marked with pink ribbon, which was on the riders’ right side and there were yellow signs with black arrows to assist riders which direction to travel.

There was a total of 49 riders in 25 teams riding the 7.4 mile trail. The winding trails through the woods took riders brushing along the XC Fields. Many riders stopped there and schooled over the many lovely jumps. After crossing the road and the first tiny water crossing, riders serpentined through the woods and out into open areas. The way the trails were laid out, riders might be riding parallel to others but on a different part of the trail. Once crossing the second and last road crossing, riders were almost home. The start-finish line was at the office. Lou Smith, the Hunter Pace Official Photographer, was on course earlier, and later there at the finish to take pictures of incoming riders. Jan Smith, Hunter Pace Series Coordinator, was in the office entering data as riders finished up to get a good head start on the results. 

In the Field Hunter Division there were 24 riders in 12 teams. The Optimum Time was 59:03.

For the results:

First Place Honors were awarded to the team of Stacy Calvert from Hendersonville and Patt Tarr from Landrum with the time of 58:08. Shannon Jackson, a solo rider from Ellenboro, picked up the Second Place Red Ribbon with the time of 53:39. For the Third-Place spot there was a tie. Diane Hicks from Pendleton came in with the time of 1:08:01. Scoring the same time was Nora Claire Croft from Anderson. Fifth Place was awarded to the trio of Megan James from Zirconia, Lizzie Lengling from Columbus and Rachael Small from Hendersonville. Their time was 1:13:04. Rounding out the ribbons in the Field Hunter Division for Sixth Place was Pam Burrows from Spartanburg with the time of 1:14:48. 

Other Field Hunters out enjoying the day were Natalie Aiello, Morgan Baudean, Alexia and Mary Coker, Nicola Deines, Shalise Gallaher, Amanda Jones, Emma Kontir, Martina Nyland, Linda Plummer, Crosby Reed, Seamus Sheehan and Devon Tracy.

In the Trail Rider Division there were 25 riders in 13 teams. The Calculated Optimum time was 1:52:55. 

First Place Honors were awarded to the team of Missy Bright from Campobello and Ronnie Mann from Columbus with the time of 1:53:10. Close on their heels was Mary Macy from Greer with the time of 1:53:15. Third Place was awarded to Tamara Bruning from Columbus with a time of 1:50:47. Fourth Place Honors were awarded to the duo of Susan Angermeier from Chesnee and Tracie Parker from Gaffney. Their finish time was 1:50:22. Fifth Place was awarded to Nancy Anderson from Pauline with the time of 1:58:42. Rounding out the placements in the Trail Rider Division was the team of Megan Lapkoff from Waynesville and Janet Leatherwood from Canton with the time of 1:59:20.

Other Trail Riders out were Jodie Bader, Kathy Bethka, Kathy Bucks, Carol Callahan, Kelly Cannon, Stephanie Culbertson, Nancy Erny, Carolyne Groves, Natalie Hyatt, Boots Plyler, Glyn Sandzen, Jennifer and Oliva Wilson, Emily Wilson, Emily Wojcik, and Jessica Wright

For more information, Check the website at www.wchpace.org for upcoming events, changes and to view your photos 

See you on the trail.
Submitted by Missy Bright/ Photos courtesy of Lou Smith