In 2021, the Biltmore Equestrian Center, located on the grounds of George Vanderbilt’s historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, will host a benefit ride for Hope for Horses, the local equine rescue in the Asheville, NC area:

==> Friday, September 24:  50-mile endurance and 25-mile limited distance
==> Saturday, September 25:  75-mile and 50-mile endurance and 30-mile limited distance

The whole event will be a benefit for Hope for Horses, the local equine rescue resource, a not-for-profit, 501C3 entity (donations are tax-deductible).

Entry form is here.

Covid-19 may well still be an issue at the time of this ride. Stay tuned for restrictions / requirements intended to help keep volunteers, riders, and crew safe. North Carolina was a late-comer to the COVID avalanche, and has major infections across the state in early 2021 (thus the May ride was cancelled). This September ride, while organized as if everything will happen, may have some question. And may have restrictions such as: We anticipate that 'social distancing' requirements will still be active for everyone on site. Please be aware that many of the folks volunteering for this ride are in the 'vulnerable' class -- we want to protect you, and THEM. Possible additional precautions: distribute electronic forms of the rider briefing materials that must be reviewed by yourselves to keep mass meetings as brief as possible. Questions on trails may be handled over the phone and/or via a zoom meeting likely Tuesday evening of ride week. Rider registration materials will be handed upon arrival. They will include trail information and trail maps. Advance registration will be enforced even more than has been done in the past. Changes to registration will be done, if possible, over the phone. We will try to make credit card payments work more smoothly than in the past (but will still incur a surcharge). We hope to have awards meeting for presenation, BUT awards may be done in real time as completions are awarded. Best conditioned and team awards will be done by distance, at specific times. AKA, watch this space.

General Conditions:  Built in 1895, the Estate trails promise a challenging ride along the French Broad River and over rolling hills and low mountains.  We recommend that all horses have hoof protection.  Breast collars/cruppers may be helpful.  Each loop will circle back to a central vetting area adjacent to the main camping area.  Weather is somewhat unpredictable in the mountains, so prepare for cold to mild; beautiful to rainy.

Controlled Entry to Biltmore Estate.  As part of the need for security on the Estate, and to provide a more official mode of access for attendees to the Estate grounds, names are provided for a list used by the front gate guards for initial entry (the "Gate List").  Subsequent re-entry will be via wristbands available at the ride site.  Entry for one named crew member is covered as part of the ride entry fees.   On the Estate, including at the ride site, colored wristbands will be required to be worn as visible proof of permission.
Additional entry permits may be purchased for each additional named crew members for $55 each. 
Note:  children 16 and under are free, but must still have their names on the "Gate List" and wear the wristbands.

Note: while being on the gate list gets into the grounds, it does not include the House. However, the grounds have many opportunities beyond the outstanding equestrian facilities.

Prize list is here.

Entry information is here.

Farrier:
Mountain Farrier Service, Jeff Pauley owner, will be the ride farrier. They will be on the grounds during the rides until 6-7 pm Saturday. To make an appointment in advance, please call Jeff at 828 712 2343. 

Human Body Therapy:
Nancy MacDonald will offer mask-required, clothed, open air human massage therapy on the grounds. Nancy is a certified neuromuscular therapist, licensed massage and bodywork therapist, nationally certified therapeutic massage and bodywork therapist.  To make an appointment with Nancy, call her at 828 225 5022 or email her at nanmacd@gmail.com.

Horse Body Therapy: 
Michelle Blankenship plans to be the horse body worker on the grounds. She is well experienced with endurance horses. To make an appointment with Michelle, call her at 828 455 7899 or email her at mlblank90@gmail.com.

Note: Most photographs for the web site have been generously contributed by Genie Stewart-Spears and Becky Pearman 

==>>> Federal (US Government) law requires us to create safe and respectful sporting environments, free of abuse and harassment. With that in mind we are particularly aware of our vulnerable population of young people. Please work with us on this. The USA Center for SafeSport has resources and training (see https://safesport.org/resources) that all adults should take in an ideal world.