6/20/2010 Year End Gathering  Articles

The Western Carolina Hunter Pace Series Year End Gathering

held Sunday, June 20th, 2010 at the Biltmore’s West Range for the benefit of HALTER

Reported by Jan Smith

Sixty-seven riders pre-registered and/or came out to support Handicapped Athletes Learning to Enjoy Riding (H.A.L.T.E.R.), earn a WCHPace Series “wild card”, enjoy the wonderful trails at the Biltmore’s West Range, socialize with fellow riders and take part in the Year End Gathering’s second awards presentation ceremony. Many thanks go to Elizabeth Bush and her wonderful crew of workers at the Biltmore Equestrian Center. For the second time, proceeds from the WCHPace Series Gathering went to benefit HALTER, the Spartanburg based Therapeutic Riding Program.

The Poker Ride was done “with a twist” – you had to earn your cards by correctly answering horse related trivia questions. Teams who didn’t like the cards they had drawn, or hadn’t correctly answered enough questions for a good hand, were allowed to purchase up to three additional cards (all to benefit HALTER, of course).

The Best hand – a Diamond flush (A, 2, 4, 9, 10) – was earned by Victoria Bailey, Kelly Cannon, Khrystynna Hunsinger and Amanda Stickley, who won two day passes to ride at the Biltmore Equestrian Center.

Second place – a Straight (Queen high) – was drawn by Suess Fraser & Gwen Hunter who won two metallic finish 8x12” photos of their choice from the WCHPace galleries to be chosen by the end of November 2010.

Third place – two pairs (Aces & Jacks) – turned in by Debra Kennerly & Jennifer Smith who won two metallic finish 8x10” photos of their choice from the WCHPace galleries to be chosen by the end of November 2010.

Fourth place – two pairs (Kings & eights) – drawn by Susan Haslam & Connie Moore who won two 5x7” photos of their choice from the WCHPace galleries to be chosen by the end of November 2010.

Also out to enjoy the trails, trivia, camaraderie, support HALTER and earn their Wild Card for the 2010-2011 Series were: Deanna Baldwin, Julie Bates, Kathy Bethka, Baiba Bourbeau, Heather Brannan, Carrie Britt, Chris Britton, Sharon Carden, Jeanne Clark, Christa Cloud, Maxine Cook, Amy Corbett, Hunter, Liz, Ron & Taylor Crawley, Stephanie Culbertson, Ruth Ann DeHollander, Jan Ellis, Kelley Featheringill, Brock & Lori Fleenor, Teresa & Tomas Gimenez, Tammy Hannah, Duane & Harlene Harm, Rodney Hawk, Elizabeth & Lacey Hein, Sarah Hendricks, Tracey Hudson, Susie Justus, James Kennedy, Beatrice Lamb, Linda Latimer, Janet LeCroy, Stephanie Lusk, Barbara Madill, Peggy McMakin, Ali Merritt, Elizabeth Morosani, Tom Morton, Morgan Palmer, Gail Patton, Angelika & Thomas Pluemper, Erin, Sarah & Boots Plyler, Cathy Proner, Kaylie Rizu, Genie Smith, Sue Smolka, Marcia Stacey, Eileen Taylor, Holly Nelson & Jason Thorp, Debbie Thrasher, Mary Tolles, Cathy Weaver, Alison Whitman, Sherry Wyatt and Kris Yon.

Also seen in attendance for the fun and awards presentations were Darbie Barr, Kelsey Spicer, Judy Heinlien and several familiar friends and family members.

Wondering what those equine trivia questions were?

1. What were the names of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans horses?

2. Where is the Ergot on a horse?

3. What is the fear of horses called?

4. What horse and jockey won the 2010 Kentucky Derby?

5. Who was the last Triple Crown Winner?

6. Does a horse have “monocular” vision or “binocular” vision?

7. What horse sport is often described as gymnastics on horseback?

8. The Roman Emperor Caligular is famous for many things, but he was also a horse lover, so maybe he wasn’t all bad. What did he once want to do for his favorite horse, Incitatus?

The Western Carolina Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Series is currently on summer break, but expects to start back up again on Saturday, September 11th with the Middle Tyger River Ruritan’s benefit for the Southeast Children’s Home. Keep an eye out for upcoming info in this paper, your email and the Western Carolinas Hunter Pace Series web site at http://www.WCHPace.org for the full schedule, photos and other info.

Oh, did you want the answers to the trivia questions?

1) Trigger & Buttermilk; 2) On the lower leg under the cannon bone and above the coronet; 3) Hippophobia; 4) Super Saver with Calvin Borel aboard; 5) Affirmed in 1978; 6) Most of the time monocular, but when looking down it’s nose a horse has binocular vision like humans; 7) Vaulting; 8) Appoint him consul to Rome.