11/8/2009 FENCE Fall  Articles

Foothills Equestrian Nature CEnter Fall Hunter Pace

Held Sunday, November 8th 2009

Reported by Linda Farris

Who called up the spectacular weather for sunny, bright blue skies and gorgeous autumn weather? Wow! Was it ever a beautiful day and a super place to ride. There was more than one comment made, that "competitors" threw that word out the breezy window and just wanted to enjoy the steeplechase course and play at the water complex and open field jumps.

Parking was handled by Joey Thompson, and did he ever have his hands full with an overflowing parking lot of trailers.

Julie Gordon and Peggy Birchall held registration in the a.m. and Martha Lott and Linda King in the afternoon. Those ladies have registration down pat with so much experience. There were so many thankful comments made on the emergency contact number they stapled to the riders penny in case riders needed a hand out on the trail. That is a huge relief for riders as they romp the hundreds of miles at FENCE.

Joey Cabannis was his usual cheerful self and yes, "He left the light on" for the later riders, as the Timer. Also to advise riders of the course layout and the pink ribbons and many Hunter Pace signs were; Melissa LeRoy, Sandy Bishop and Cobie Smith. They advised riders to keep alert for when the trail broke apart for Field Riders and Trail Riders.

Have you ever seen a bar set up in the middle of a field at halfway point? Well, that's exactly what Bob Brown, Dan Zygmont and Gretchen Verbonic had for the three minute hold. They offered a variety of juices, mimosas, scotch, Jim Beam and ice cold water.

A round of applause goes out to the trail markers and maintenance; Mark and Jen Isreal, Linda King, Beatrice Lamb and friends, Susan Hartley and Girls.

This event would not even happen without the gracious use of FENCE and the surrounding landowners: Grahams, Cartwrights, Riccis, Rubini, Wilson, Wassong, Kramer, Kern and Wrights.

A Sneek-Peek thanks goes to the Optimum Time Riders, Sheila Grymes and Ron Picarri.

Now, The RESULTS:

There were a total of 196 riders. 69 riders in the Field Hunter Division with 37 teams. 127 Trailer Riders and 54 teams.

The Optimum time for the Field Hunter Division was One hour, 43 minutes and Two hours, 28 minutes, 14 seconds was the calculated optimum for the Trail Rider Division.

Taking home the Blue ribbon for the Field Hunter Division was Nancy Reynolds of Simpsonville with a time of one hour, 43 minutes, 27 seconds, just 27 seconds of the optimum time. Second place went to Liz Crawley of Inman and Suess Fraser of York with a time of one hour, 43 minutes, 48 seconds. The Third ribbon went to Judy Heinrich and Betty Hill of Columbus with a time of one hour, 44 minutes, seven seconds. Fourth place went to Amy Gantt and Lisa Tyler of Seneca with a time of one hour, 44 minutes 15 seconds. Fifth place went to Leanne Jetton of Greenville with a time of one hour, 44 minutes, 28 seconds. Sixth place went to Rodney Hawk of Asheville, Patricia Harris of Richmond, KY and Eileen Taylor of Lake Toxaway with a time of one hour 44 minutes, 41 seconds. There are several honorable mentions: Bobby and Susan Alexander of Candler with a time of one hour, 44 minutes, 51 seconds. Darbie Barr of Salem and Anne & Kelsey Spicer of Campobello with a time of one hour, 44 minutes, 58 seconds. Nancy Finkell and Bobby Turner, both from Spartanburg, with a time of one hour, 40 minutes, 56 minutes.

Also out to enjoy the fabulous course and enjoy the many, varied jumps in the fields, woods and everywhere was; Michael and Roberta Axelrod, Dan Bates, Sinclair Berdan, Kim Berkow, Kathy Bethka, Bill Boger, Baiba Bourbeau, Kathe Burklow, Rachel Butterworth-Tice, Sharon Carden, Kim Cotton, Anita and Sara Crouse, Eliza and Stephanie Culbertson, Ann Fratcher, Garry Gill, Ruth Grubbs, Duane and Harlene Harm, Natalie Holliday, Peggy Horton, Autumn Hoyle, Freda Jessen, Taylor Kiner, Beatrice Lamb, Rhonda Lewis, Debra Lusk, Linda Mattews, April McCormack, Keleigh McMurray, Corrie McPeak, Lisa Moore, Amanda Morfinos, Pepper Oliver, Caitlin Oye, Michele Parrish, Gail Patton, Beth Perkins, Debra Porter, Kelly Rappuchi, Beth Sanders, Krista and Richie Sands, Katie Stickland, Eileen Taylor, Anna ter Kuile, Debbie Thrasher, Nancy Tuckerman and Susan Wallahora.

Taking home first place in the Trail Rider Division was Susan Carrier of and Nancy Hasselbring of Columbus with a time of two hours, 27 minutes, 54 seconds. Second place went to Linda Salinas of Gastonia, Linda and Wayne Farris of York with a time of two hours, 29 minutes, 13 seconds. Third place went to James Kennedy of and Mary Tolles of Mill Springs with a time of two hours, 26 minutes, 15 seconds. Fourth place was a tie between Whitney Sasser of Charlotte and Susan Sloan of Clover, in one team and Ciara Denardo of Balsam and Shawna Saunier of Sylva with a time of two hours, 30 minutes, 31 seconds. Sixth place went to Ruth Ann DeHollander of Ware Shoals with a time of two hours, 30 minutes, 38 seconds.

Also out to take in the awesome scenery and meander through the well marked trails were; J. Alexander, Bruce Anderson, Irene Backer, Victoria Bailey, Deanna Baldwin, Maria and Brooke Ball, Julie Bates, Carrie Britt, Chris Britton, Kathy Bucks, Kelly Cannon, Amy Corbett, Tina Countiss, Candace Crawford, Hunter Crawley, Liz and Taylor Crawley, Danielle and Bonnie Davis, Shalyn and Teresa Dennison, Debbie DeVere, Josie Dickins, Jane and Mark Eden, May Nan Ellenburg, Pamela Ellis, Deanna Ermson, Carla Fullam, Brandy Gibson, Dan Bilmore, Kathy Gleason, Steve Greene, Lil Gregory, Lee Ann and Nancy Harmon, Emory Heffron, Lacey Hein, Elaine and Hugh Hobbs, Kailly Holden, Hali Holloway, Felicia Houston, Penny Howard, Elaine Hughes, Miriam Intres, Jeanne Johnson, Susie Justus, Debra Kennerly, Jessica Kicklighter, Mary Kimes, Michelle Klopp, Susan Knickerbocker, Lisa Kotallik, Terry Kothe, Rebekah Koutsos, Evangeline Lamore, Janet Leatherwood, Virginia Leavitt, Sherry Lilley, Patti Lovelace, Jamie Maddox, Cynthia Mangum, Joe and Kate Manno, Anne Mason, Randi McEntire, Peggy McMakin, Andrew Meeks, Ali Merritt, Gabby Miller, Elizabeth Morosani, Moy Morris, Jodie Morrison, Fran Nagle, Emma Nance, Lindsey Newsom, Jeannie O'Connor, Donna and Leah Odom, Morgan Palmer, Bev Phillips, Boots and Erin Plyler, Erica Polvan, Dee Raffield, Allison Rhyne, Judy Ricker, Sally Rock, Bianca Sanchez, Audrey Sawyers, Stephanie Schulte, Pamela Scott, Marcia and Megan Sharpe, Meniifer A. Smith, Jennifer Spratt, Scot Stafford, Amanda Stickly, Allie Stumbo, Caroline Tawney, Mary Taylor, Shellly Thompson, Diane Thorpe, Berkeley Thorsten, Stacie Wadsworth, Bonnie Whisnant, David, Cindy, and Emily Wilson, Erica and Linda Yopp and Margaret Zawaski.

Please mark your calendar for the Clemson Intercollegiate Eventing Team on Sunday, November 22nd. Contact Lauren at (843) 224-8710. Then get in the Christmas Spirit with a ride at the beautiful Biltmore Equestrian Center on Sunday, December 6th. Be sure to contact the BEC office in advance at (828) 225-1454 to register.

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

Remember to check the website 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.

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