12/6/2009 Biltmore Equestrian Center  Articles

Biltmore Equestrian Center Hunter Pace and Trail Ride

Held Sunday, December 6, 2009

Reported by: Boots Plyler

Yes, it was cold, but not as cold as last year and the hardy souls that came out for the Biltmore Equestrian Center Hunter Pace on December 6, enjoyed a slightly brisk day with little wind, frisky ponies and a jolly send-off from the smiling Biltmore crew. The trail followed the yellow markers which is a route that is mainly wooded and on higher ground. The choice of staying under the trees and out of the bottom lands turned out to be a wise one as a steady rain had continued through early afternoon the day before. The path was muddy in sections, but the bad parts were easy to slowly plod through or to go around and they were never very extensive. The halfway point had a pretty vista of a field with the mountains framing it and made the three minute mandatory rest quite pleasant. The food provided was Mexican fare that, fortunately, was tasty when cold. Most of the riders ate in their trucks with heaters blowing which did knock out a little of the usual camaraderie after a ride, but the spicy food was greatly appreciated.

The Hunter Pace Division had an optimum time of 1 hour and 40 minutes and the winners were Beth Ellenberg of Emerson, GA, Joni Kreul of Acworth, GA, and Rhonda Tate of Cartersville, GA, with a time of 1:41:01. Coming in second were Duane and Harlene Harm of Tryon at 1:42:57 and in third place were Sinclair Berdan from Fairview, and April McCormack of Gerton, with 1:35:42. Fourth place was won by the team of Michelle Parrish and Jeanne Varsames of Skyland in a time of 1:34:44 and in fifth were Bobby and Susan Alexander of Candler in 1:34:03. Liz Crawley of Inman, SC, came in at 1:46:13 for sixth and an honorable mention went to Anna Harlan and Kay Flennor of Bristol, TN, whose time was 1:33:22.

The rest of the Hunter Pace Division was composed of Darbie Barr, Bill Boger, Nancy Finkell, Lorie Fleenor, Daphne Hoffen, Tracey Hudson, Amber Massey, Susi Platt, Samantha Roubaud, Anne & Kelsey Spicer, Bobby Turner, Alison Whitman, Sherry Wyatt and Kris Yon.

The Trail Rider Division was won by the team of Caroline Tawney from Greer, and Shelley Thompson of Simpsonville, in a time of 2:18:38 which was only 16 seconds off of the calculated optimum of 2:18:54. Second place was a tie by Robin Fishburn of Greenville, and Terresa Rust from Duncan, with 2:23:34 and the threesome of Angie Rose of Erwin, TN, Trisha Webb from Johnson City, TN, and Catie Weiterhausen from Gray, TN, with a time of 2:14:14; although one over and one under, both teams were just 4 minutes, 40 seconds off optimum. In fourth place were Kelly Cannon of Moore, and Amanda Stickley from Spartanburg, who came in at 2:24:34 and in fifth were Deanna Baldwin, Lacey Hein and Kailey Holden of Mills River, with a time of 2:11:38. Kelly Barber from Acworth, GA, and Janet Olson of Woodstock, GA, were sixth at 2:11:34.

Finishing out the field for the trail riders were Chris Britton, Brian Butler, Katelyn Cabaniss, Bonnie Davis, Susan Fiala, Susan Filmore, Norene Hazlett, Lynn Hewa, James Kennedy, Debra Kennerly, Michelle Kwiatkowski, Peggy McMakin, Ali Merritt, Bettina Montano, Emma Nance, Morgan Palmer, Bev Phillips, Claire Phillips, Boots & Erin Plyler, Jennifer Smith, Jennifer Spratt, Mary Tolles and Elizabeth Watson.

The next event in the Western Carolina Hunter Pace series will be the Clemson Intercollegiate Eventing Team ride which is always a fun one around beautiful Lake Hartwell. It is also one of their main fundraisers for the year, so please come out and support the team.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events. Mark your calendars and join us when the Clemson Intercollegiate Eventing Team will start us into the New Year at their event on January 10th. Then we’re invited back to the Biltmore’s West Range for another winter Hunter Pace & Trail Ride on January 24th. FENCE will follow on February 7th and the Greenville Foothills Pony Club on February 21st as we move on into spring.

Events will continue straight thru May after only a short break for the holidays, so be sure to check the schedule and come play with us!!

Always remember to check the website WCHPace.org for all upcoming events, news, articles, photos, placements and contact information.

Thank you to our photographer, Lou Smith for being at every event to capture the riders and their mounts as they fly over jumps, canter through the fields and enjoy the beautiful area trails. Hit “Photos” on the website to view the pictures. You can place an order online.

For information on the Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series e-mail Series Coordinator, Jan Smith at Jan@WCHPace.org or call Jan at 828-894-8760.