2/21/2010 Greenville Foothills Pony Club  Articles

The Greenville Foothills Pony Club Hunter Pace & Trail Ride

Held Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Reported by Linda Farris

After being snowbound, icebound and just all around WET, it was wonderful for riders to get out and enjoy a spring-like day. The skies were blue, the sun was bright and smiles were seen and laughter heard in abundance.

The Ride at Camp Croft State Park was the best way to get out and rekindle the spark between horse and human.

Registration was held by Becky Baucum and Laura Karns. They gave a number you could pin to your saddle pad or jacket, or just keep for halfway point and lunch. They also had a long table with items laid out for a silent auction. Items such as free riding lessons, free massage for horse or human, dinner for two and many, many other items. Congratulations to those that won their bids. The silent auction was handled by Holly Shannon.

Joey Cabanis was his usual cheerful self and yes, "He left the light on", as the Timer. Also to advise riders of the course layout and the red ribbons and many Hunter Pace signs was Jamie Maddox.

Halfway Point was handled by Denise Ritacco, Dodie Barr, Amanda Fisher, Ryan Piller, Stephanie Wood, and Derek Turner. They offered water, juice, Gatorade and granola or kudo bars.

A round of applause goes out to the trail markers and maintenance: Denis Ritacco, Casey Delap, Stephanie Wood, Shelby Ritacco and Emily Shannon. They also had a few jumps set up in the field at the start and at the halfway point. Jump Crew was Denise Ritacco, Stephanie Wood, Rachael Wood, Shelby Ritacco, Emily Shannon, Becky Baucom and Katie O'Neal.

Holly Shannon organized a wonderful lunch with pans of Rigatoni, Fresh Salad, Garlic bread that she toasted on site and homemade tea and lemonade. There were a variety of desserts for purchase. She had Nadine Depape, Scotti Piller and Robyn Whitten to help with keeping food warm and salads cold.

Mary Fisher was out and about helping wherever needed. They also had tack cleaning for a small fee. Shelby Ritacco, Emily Shannon, Rachael Wood, Amanda Fisher, Katie O'Neal and Francis Parrish cleaned anything from saddles, to bridles to riding boots.

Trail Clean up was handled by Janna Ritacco, Jamie Maddox and Amanda Fisher.

Now, The RESULTS:

There were a total of 86 riders. 37 riders in the Field Hunter Division with 18 teams. 49 Trail Riders and 42 teams.

The Optimum time for the Field Hunter Division was One hour, seven minutes.

Taking home the Blue ribbon for the Field Hunter Division went to Judy Heinrich and Betty Hill of Columbus with a time of one hour, six minutes, 38 seconds. Taking the Red was Liz Crawley of Inman and Sue Smolka of Hickory with a time of one hour, six minutes, 36 seconds. Third place went to Darbie Barr of Salem on her second time thru the trails and Allyson McCall of Seneca with a time of one hour, eight minutes, 38 seconds. Fourth place went to Katie O'Neal of Simpsonville and Rachel Wood of Greenville with a time of one hour, eight minutes, 59 seconds. Fifth place went to Kathryn Karn of Piedmont with a time of one hour, three minutes, 13 seconds. Sixth place was awarded to Darbie Barr of Salem, Anne and Kelsey Spicer of Campobello with a time of one hour, 10 minutes, 50 seconds. Honorable mention goes to Bobby and Susan Alexander of Candler with a time of one hour, 2 minutes, 59 seconds.

Also out to enjoy the lake, creek and wooded views in the Field Hunter Division were: Kaitlyn and Steve Bardoes, Bill and Terry Boger, Baibia Bourbeau, Nancy Finkell, Rodney Hawk, Freda Jessen, Taylor Kinter, Beatrice Lamb, Cailyn Lee, Dama and Samantha Parker, Gail Patton, Thomas Pluemper, Mattie Roberts, Eileen Taylor, Anna ter Kuile, Debbie Thrasher, Bobby Turner, Sherry Wyatt, Erica and Linda Yopp.

Taking home first place in the Trail Rider Division were Lee Ann and Nancy Harmon of Ellenboro with a time of one hour, 29 minutes, 21 seconds. Second place goes to Debra Kennerly and Jennifer Smith of Simpsonville with a time of one hour, 28 minutes, 56 seconds. Third place goes to Victoria Bailey of Woodruff, Kelly Cannon of Moore, Amanda Stickley of Spartanburg and Maegan Wharton of Moore with a time of one hour, 28 minutes, nine seconds. Fourth place goes to Holly and Michael Bacola of Chesnee with a time of one hour, 28 minutes, seven seconds. Fifth place was awarded to Russell and Sally Rock of Campobello with a time of one hour, 28 minutes, two seconds. Sixth place goes to Patti Lovelace and Lindsey Newsom of Tryon with a time of one hour, 27 minutes, 37 seconds.

Also out to soak up the sun and enjoy the camaraderie in the Trail Rider Division were: Sandra Bailey, Donna Bastianelli, Chris Britton, Brian Butler, Andrew Clarke, Debbie Cobb, Hannah Crawford, Jan Ellis, Deanna Ermson, Linda and Wayne Farris, Susan Fiala, Gina Franco, Amy Gee, Margaret Henneke, Tara Herrero, Gayle Johnson, Susie Justus, Jill Kelly, James Kennedy, Christy Ledbetter, Virginia Maclure, Peggy McMakin, Ali Merrit, Grace Miller, Emily and Phillip Osborne, Morgan Palmer, Ryan Piller, Boots and Erin Plyler, Diana Schenning, Jan Smith, Mary Tolles and Cathy Weaver.

The next event on the calendar is The Foothills Equestrian Events (FEE) Hunter Pace and Trail Ride, set for Sunday, March 7th, 2010. You can call Alicia at (828) 685- 0129 for more information or email her at foothillsequestrianevents@earthlink.net. Following on Sunday, March 21st, is the Green Creek Hounds Spring Hunter Pace and Trail Ride.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events so mark your calendars and plan to also join us as The Tryon Hounds will pick up the pace again after Easter with their spring event on April 11th, followed by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Benefit on May 2nd. The Benefit Hunter Pace & Trail Ride for Steps to HOPE will be held on May 16th and the River Valley Pony Club will round out the competitive Series on May 30th. But don’t forget the Year End Awards Gathering scheduled for June 20th on Biltmore’s West Range for one last fun event before we take a summer break.

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

Thank you to Lou Smith for being at the events to capture the riders and their mounts as they fly over jumps, canter through the fields and ride the trails. Hit “Photos” on the website to view you and your friends pictures. You can place an order online.