5/2/2010 Big Brothers / Big Sisters Benefit  Articles

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Benefit Hunter Pace and Trail Ride

Held Sunday, May 2, 2010

Reported by: Boots Plyler

All ye weak of heart who decided to forego the Big Bothers and Big Sisters Benefit Hunter Pace and Trail Ride because you feared the inclement weather take heed: you made a big mistake! The Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) organization put on a first-rate event and the severe storms held off nicely until most of the participants were safely home. The horses only had to deal with a “soft” day, as the Irish would phrase it, of an occasional short burst of rain mixed with a heavy mist. It was barely enough to dampen the ponies’ coats much less the riders’ spirits and served to keep the very warm day from becoming uncomfortable. Green River Farm was the trail sponsor and the ride took place on and around the beautiful Slater Turf Farm and on land owned by members of the North Pacolet Association, Inc.

This ride was a horticulturist’s dream. The fields were ablaze with a wide array of wild flowers for which May is famous. Every open area appeared to be painted in a different hue. The path meandered around the turf at first but soon headed off into some lovely woods and skirted around another field before entering into the woods again. The terrain was slightly hilly and there were many opportunities for a good gallop. The highlight of the ride was a river cascade with a bench beside it that would be the perfect spot for a picnic. All of the trails were expertly groomed with a wide mower which made it possible to ride abreast in most areas. This was a good ride for a young mount with only one easy water crossing to contend with. The jump field is always a favorite feature with riders because of its graduated obstacles suitable for various ages and abilities. The Silo Road location is roomy enough to handle a large number of trailers with plenty of space to tie the horses. The food was also some of the best with Harry Denton’s barbeque as a treat at the end of the trail and desserts provided by Larry Boyd, Karen Dacey, Roberta Heinrich, Lynn Montgomery, Nadin Najouks, Patty Slater, Sheila Veatch, Beth Laughridge and her Little Sister, Nicole.

Many of the volunteers for this event were Big Brothers (BB) or Big Sisters (BS). The parking was ably handled by the team of Michael Veatch, Alan Breeden, Larry Boyd, Ken Stephan (BB) and Bob Montgomery (BB). David and Patty (BS and Chair of the BBBS Advisory Council) Slater of Slater Turf Farm did much of the early preparation. Karen Dacey, Program Coordinator for BBBS, did the public relations work and organized the volunteers. Allen Slater did the site preparation with Duane and Harlene Harm marking the course.

Set up was performed by David and Patty Slater, Michael Veatch (BB), Larry Boyd, Gaye Johnson and Karen Dacey. David even hauled in a water trough for the horses. Tents were provided by the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center which allowed shelter for workers and diners alike. The parking crew was easy to follow and efficiently manned by Michael Veatch (BB), Alan Breedan, Larry Boyd, Ken Stephan (BB) and Bob Montgomery (BB). The cheerful greeters at the registration tent were Sheila Veatch, Anne Pierce, Nadine Najouks, Nancy Tuckermanan (BS) and Arlene Lulavage (BS). The send-off crew was headed by Joey Cabaniss who always sends everyone off with a smile and his promise to “keep the light on.” His helpers were Denny Hill (BB) and Linda Williams. Meg Rogers and David Slater monitored the jump field with Ruth Dawson (BS) and Dan Dworkin (BB) on the road crossings keeping horses and riders safe from the passing traffic.

The winners of the Field Hunter Division of 50 riders were Dan Bates and Ann Fratcher of Candler, with a time of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 29 seconds. The optimum time for this division was 1 hour, 33 minutes and 20 seconds, so their team was off by only 51 seconds! In second place were Kathy and Ric Rondell from Tryon with one hour, 34 minutes and 44 seconds and third was Joni Fielding also of Tryon with a time of 1 hour, 34 minutes and 4 seconds. Ileana Budde and Charlie and Dolores Erthal, all from Columbus, came in fourth with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes and 24 seconds. In fifth were Tom and Vicky Jackson from Landrum who came in at 1 hour 35 minutes and 51 seconds. Sherry Wyatt from Seneca, and Kris Yon of Pendleton, were in sixth place with a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 37 seconds. An honorable mention was given to Ann McIver from Greenville and Kasey and Pam Minnick from Hendersonville, who came in at 1 hour, 30 minutes and 24 seconds.

The rest of the Field Hunter Division along for the fun consisted of: Ellen Austin, Steve Bardos, Darbie, Barr, Gudtrin Bernsdsen, Kathy Bethka, Bill and Terry Boger, Baiba Bourbeau, Angela Cairnes, Liz Crawley, Chrystal Crispin, Stephanie Culbertson, Nancy Finkell, Kathy Gadsey, Duane and Harlene Harm, Patricia Harris, Rodney Hawk, Judy Heinrich, Betty Hill, Sarah Howell, Freda Jessen, Beatrice Lamb, Bonnie Lingerfelt, Linda Matthews, Buck Matthews, Lisa Moore, Gail Patton, Thomas Pluemper, Mattie Roberts, Kelsey Spicer, Eileen Taylor, Debbie Thrasher, Bobby Turner and Haleigh Wilson.

The Trail Rider division had a total of 58 riders and an optimum time of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 51 seconds. The winning team of Brenda Cox from Landrum, Heidi Mendez of Tryon, Neil Parnes of Spartanburg and Jeanne Smith of Landrum came in at 2 hours, 19 minutes and 8 seconds for a difference of only 1 minute and 43 seconds. In second at 2 hours 18 minutes and 10 seconds were Boots and Erin Plyler from Greenville. Third place was won by Ruth Ann DeHolander of Ware Shoals, SC, with 2 hours, 18 minutes and 9 seconds and in fourth with 2 hours, 18 minutes and 1 second was the team of Chris Britton and Peggy McMakin from Tryon. Susie Justus Hill of Hendersonville and Marcia Stacy of Gaffney came in fifth in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 15 seconds. Sixth place was taken be the team of Victoria Bailey from Woodruff, Kelly Cannon from Moore, Khrystyanna Hunstringer all the way from Danville, VA, and Amanda Stickley from Spartanburg in the time of 2 hours, 13 minutes and 25 seconds.

The remaining riders in the Trail Rider Division enjoying the misty day were Amanda Aiello, Jerry Alexander, Cynthia Boyle, Debra Buchanan, Andrew Clarke, Karen Cline, Nancy Clouda, Holly Drake, Jack Davis, Sean Eastman, Jan Ellis, Erin Fletcher, Erin Gambrel, Kathy Gleason, Johanna Harris, Fred Hartley, Jim Hess, Jennifer Israel, James Kennedy, Debra Kennerly, Lisa Kotallik, Patti Lovelace, Ali Merrit, Debi Morris, Holly Nelson, Lindsey Newsom, Morgan Palmer, Russell and Sally Rock, Stephanie Schulte, Sarah Silver, Jennifer Smith, Zeb Sprinkle, Jason Thorp, Mary Tolles, Cathy Weaver, Bonnie and Hank Winn, Erica and Linda Yopp.

Lou Smith was on hand, as usual, to take pictures of the hunter pace. Please click on the photo section of www.wchpace.org, ably kept by ride organizer Jan Smith, for a view of the many happy faces as the horses and riders crossed the finish. The next ride is the Steps to Hope Benefit Hunter Pace on Sunday, May 16, held at the gorgeous Fairview Farm. This is one not to miss, not only is the farm lovely, but everyone enjoys a nice gallop on the training track.

We look forward to seeing you at all the upcoming events so mark your calendars and plan to join us at the Benefit Hunter Pace & Trail Ride for Steps to HOPE on Sunday, May 16th. The River Valley Pony Club will round out the competitive Series on May 30th. And don’t forget the Year End Awards Gathering scheduled for June 20th to benefit HALTER and to be held on Biltmore’s West Range for one last fun event before we take our summer break.

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

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