Overview:
After a week of increasingly hot and humid weather, we were bracing for a weather-challenged Biltmore Challenge ride. The forecast was for about 85 degrees Farenheit with high humidity throughout the day. However, the day dawned -- cloudy, foggy, a bit cool, humid for sure. The fog lifted, but the overcast remained, with a late morning sprinkle, enabling the horses to stay reasonably cool for the first 35 miles of their event. After that, it cleared up, and became warm, but never oppressive. The trails got a bit slippery from the rain, but the riders managed in general.
We did set one record this year at the ride thanks to the care of the riders and the vets -- and the unexpectedly good weather: we had no (as in zero) horses needing fluids. This has never happened before at this ride.
For the second year, the trail included a section across the French Broad River, on 'the West Side'. And it continues to provide some of the most enjoyable riding in the event. The key highlight for the trail is that it winds for around six miles along a bluff above the French Broad, providing vistas across the River to the Biltmore House on occasion, to the Lagoon, and to the ride camp at various points before descending to the river level prior to a quick grassy climb to a gravel road through the Biltmore farm of sheep and cattle, then down through the vineyards to Long Valley Lake, across a dam, then back to the River to re-cross the bridge.
Once again, we had open AERC rides at 50, 75, and 100 miles. Riders within those rides who qualified could also enter the Arabian Horse Association ride: local rides at 50- and 75-mile distances, and the Region 12 100-mile Championship. And FEI (Federation Equestrian International) divisions were available in each distance for both senior riders and young riders. A total of 162 horses started: 89 in the 50-mile ride; 47 in the 75-mile ride; and 26 in the 100-mile ride.
One of the outstanding facts of this ride were the fifteen FEI Young Riders and Juniors in the 75-mile competition, as they look to qualify to compete in the North American Young Riders Endurance Championship at the Kentucky Horse Park in July. That event is a full 4* Championship, and the young riders are going at that target like lasers.
We had our sixth year of team competition at Biltmore this year, available to all riders. Teams consisted of between 3 and 4 riders in the same distance with the best three times being considered to determine team placings.
AERC 50 Results:
89 horses and riders started the AERC 50-mile ride, with 71 completing the 51 mile course, an 80% completion rate (compared to 87% in 2011, 70% in 2010, 78% in 2009, 67% in 2008 and 73.6% in 2007). As can be seen, this is quite respectable compared to other years. Completion awards were tee-shirts sponsored by Southern States / Triple Crown Feed and Ken Wilson Ford.
| The winner of the 50 was Jesse Jarret on Smoke Deuce, in a ride time of 4:20:13. They won a pair of marble composite, horse head bookends donated by the Newmans. |
At a ride time of 4:49:39, Deborah McClary came in on her Psyches Traveler. They won a a bottle of ProBis donated by ABC Supplements. Third to finish, was Heidi Perreault on ValleyDictorian, winning a handcut picture donated by the Newmans.
Finishing with a ride time of 5:03:13, Caitlin Mann on Jest A Flame won Best Conditioned and High Vet Score. The prize for Best Conditioned was a stowaway pack donated by EasyCare. The prize for High Vet Score was a gift certificate from Running Bear.
| The 50-mile ride had 5 Juniors competing, with 2 completing: Alex Barbee won the division on Wiebow in a ride time of 7:29:21. The prize was an 8" x 10" portrait photograph taken at a ride of Alex's choice by Genie Stewart-Spears. Second place Junior was Katie Baldino on KA Mistari in a ride time of 9:41:43, winning a horse duffel donated by Patsy Gowen. |
The Middle of the Pack award was a bottle of Moonshine donated by Troy and Sons Distillers. That prize was won by Barbara Hershberger on Kenlyn Irishman owned by Heather Reynolds. The Back of the Pack award, another stowaway pack donated by EasyCare, went to Kelsey Marino on Mike Bostic's Zero, in a ride time of 10:13:49.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay sur Lies or Cabernet Sauvingnon) (or sparkling grape juice for underage winners), donated by Biltmore Winery. Eleventh place was a bottle of Moonshine, donated by Troy and Son Distillers, won by Wesley Crowe onKoweta Bentley in a ride time of 5:30:19 -- Bentley just passed 3,000 miles.
Joe Stump's horse, Bucksnort's Flying Alex, finishing 20th was best Morgan, in 6:22:55.
Complete AERC 50-mile results are available here.
| The senior division FEI 50 attracted 7 riders, all of whom completed. The division was won by Misha Green, on Bob Gielen's Arab, Vagas. Her ride time was 6:22:30. She won a metal cut-out trotting horse donated by Mary Howell. Misha also won the FEI senior division best conditioned award, a beta halter donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center. |
The FEI Young / Junior Rider division had one rider who completed, thus winning -- Heleen de Beer, riding the Dinkelmann's DCL Mooi Vembe. Their ride time was 7:42:05. EasyCare donated the prize: a stowaway pack. Heleen also won the FEI best conditioned award, a set of Laurel Burch horse-themed note cards. |
Summary FEI 50-mile results are available here for senior riders and here for young riders.
AHA 50 Results:
The 50-mile AHA local competition required explicit entry, AHA competition card for owner and rider, and Arab, Half Arab, or AngloArab registry. The competition drew 12 entries: 10 Arabs, and 2 Half-Arabs.
Deborah McClary won the 50-mile Arab competition riding Psyches Traveler in 4:49:39. The prize for first place Arab was a bling-decorated halter donated by Distance Depot. Lucy Bagot won the Half-Arab competition on her Autumn Maverick in a ride time of 6:32:01 to get a lovely bling-decorated halter donated by Distance Depot.
Full 50-mile AHA results are available here.
Team 50 Results:
11 teams were assembled in the 50 to compete for awards offered for the top three teams. The times of the fastest three riders out of three or four counted. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, other prizes were donated by ABC Supplements, Biltmore Equestrian Center, and Yaguchi-San.
The first place team was the "Ghost Riders" consisting of Lisa Tyler, Bonni Hannah, Linda Klingerman, and Deborah McClary. Their combined best-three ride time was 16:13:51. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and ProBiotics donated by ABC Supplements. The "Southern Hospitality" Team of Susan Kain, Sarah Rogerson, Alison Bailey, and Nina Barnett were second place, with a combined best-of-three riding time of 20:16:20. Their prizes will be forthcoming. "Canadian Connections" were the third place team with a combined best-three ride time of 22:58:49 posted by members Bob Gielen, Natalie Marie Taggart, Misha Green, and Mike Bostic. Their place finish won them each an Arabian head-shaped cutting board suitable for use in close-confines of horse trailers donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The fourth place team was "3 Chicks and a Strapping Young Man" with members Sarah Schick, Amy Smoot, Barbara Hershberger, and Jerry Brown with a best-three riding time of 23:37:50. They received medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, and books about Bison donated by Yaguchi-San.
Full 50-mile team results are available here.
47 horses and riders started the AERC 75-mile ride, with 36 completing the 75-mile course, a 77% completion rate (compared to 71% in 2011, 53% in 2010 and 65% in 2009). Completion awards were tee-shirts sponsored by Southern States / Triple Crown Feed and Ken Wilson Ford.
The winner of the 75 was Ceci Butler-Stasiuk riding DJB Black Al-Badi, in a ride time of 8:08:45 They won a beautiful Indian-influenced, beta headstall and reins donated by Amanda Taylor of Taylored Tack. |
Minutes behind Ceci was Leigh Ann Pauley on her horse, LA Steelman. Third to finish was the young rider from Canada, Lee Hutten on Dessia Miller's Parker AES in a ride time of 8:54:40. Second place award was a bottle of ProBis donated by ABC Supplements, third place was a hand cut picture donated by the Newmans.
Leigh Ann Pauley on LA Steelman won the BC award, a leather halter donated by BEC. High Vet Score, a gift certificate donated by Running Bear, in the 75 was won by Christina Kimery riding Darolyn Butler's DJB Santanas Chief in a ride time of 9:15:27.
The Middle of the Pack award was a bottle of Moonshine, donated by Troy and Son Distillers. That prize was won by Lori Dinkelmann on Rabdan in 10:41:17. The Back of the Pack award, a leadline donated by BEC, was won by Bryna Stevenson on Whisperstreams Outlook in a ride time of 12:41. Of the three juniors starting the ride, Bryna was sole completion, winning a portrait by Genie Stewart-Spears.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay sur Lies or Cabernet Sauvingnon) (or sparkling grape juice for underage winners), donated by Biltmore Winery. Eleventh place was a bottle of Moonshine, donated by Troy and Son Distillers, won by Melody Blittersdorf on Empiric in a ride time of 9:37:46.
Complete AERC 75-mile results are available here.
The senior FEI 75-mile division had 14 riders, with 12 completing (86%). The Young Rider FEI 75-mile division had 16 riders, and 13 completed (81%).
| Ceci Butler-Stasiuk won the senior FEI 75-mile division, riding DJB Black Al-Badi, in a ride time of 8:08:45 in consistently negative splits. She won a a metal trotting horse horse cut-out donated by Mary Howell. Ceci and Al-Badi also won FEI BC, winning a stowaway pack donated by EasyCare. | |
| The FEI Young Rider 75-mile ride was won by Lee Hutten riding Dessia Miller's Parket AES, in a ride time of 8:54:40. They won a DVD of the "Glass Horse" describing equine gastro-intestinal tracts donated by APEX. Lee and Parker also won the FEI YR BC, winning a signed Terry Hecker print. |
Summary FEI 75-mile results are available here for senior riders and here for young riders.
The 75-mile AHA local competition required explicit entry, AHA competition card for owner and rider, and Arab, Half Arab, or AngloArab registry. The competition drew 9 entries, all purebred Arabs.
Ceci Butler-Stasiuk won the AHA local 75-mile competition, riding DJB Black Al-Badi, in a ride time of 8:08:45. The prize for first place Arab was bling-decorated halter, donated by Distance Depot.
Full 75-mile AHA results are available here.
10 teams were assembled in the 75 to compete for awards offered for the top three teams. The times of the fastest three riders out of three or four counted. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, other prizes were donated by ABC Supplements, Biltmore Equestrian Center, and Patsy Gowen.
The first place team was the "Team Boost" consisting of Rachel Shackelford, Heather Reynolds, Diane Hawthorne, and Ceci Butler-Stasiuk. Their combined best-three ride time was 28:26:23. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, ProBiotics donated by ABC Supplements. The Alpha Omega Team with Wendy Benns, Ruth Sturley and Christina Kimery, and Mary Howell with a combined riding time of 28:27:12, mere seconds behind the first place team. Their second place finish won them each an Arabian head-shaped cutting board suitable for use in close-confines of horse trailers donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. "The "EH" Team" were the third place team with a combined best-three ride time of 29:00:55 posted by members Jessica Yavis, Sydney Sumrall, Lee Hutten, and Emma Webb. They received bright-colored horse gear duffels donated by Patsy Gowen.
Full 75-mile team results are available here.
26 horses and riders started the AERC 100-mile ride, with 17 completing the 100 mile course, a 65% completion rate (compared to 58% in 2011, 50% in 2010, and 64% in 2009). Completion awards were tee-shirts sponsored by Southern States / Triple Crown Feed and Ken Wilson Ford.
| The winner of the 100 was Eone Willemse on Valerie Kanavy's HalfArab, My Wild Irish Gold, in a ride time of 10:53:19. They won a maroon-colored, gold-embroidered waterproof blanket donated by Mary Coleman in memory of Maggy Price. |
A breath behind Eone and second to finish was Jeremy Reynolds on Stirgess. They won a signed Terry Hecker print. Jeremy and Stirgess also won best conditioned, winning a Wild Horses tile; and also got High Vet Score, winning a gift certificate from Running Bear.
Minutes behind Jeremy was Becky Bunnell, winning a ProBi donated by ABC Supplements.
| The 100-mile ride had one Junior competing and completing: Stephen Faryadi on Chosen Ballast (aka, Apache) in a ride time of 16:03:38. He won a portrait done by Genie Stewart-Spears. |
The Middle of the Pack award was a bottle of Moonshine, donated by Troy and Son Distillers. That prize was won by Don Meuten on Fury in 13:16. Mary Coleman of Country Aire Farm donated the 100-mile turtle award -- a solar-powered yard lamp mounted on a weathered wood post with a turtle nestling amid some Spanish moss. That unique prize was won by Cat Carter on TheSpuroftheMoment in a ride time of 18:26:08.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay sur Lies or Cabernet Sauvingnon) (or sparkling grape juice for underage winners), donated by Biltmore Winery. Eleventh place was a bottle of Moonshine, donated by Troy and Son Distillers, won by Lisa Delp and Karen Bell (tied) in a ride time of 16:03:38.
Complete AERC 100-mile results are available here.
The senior FEI 100-mile division had 7 riders, with 3 completing (43%). The Young Rider FEI 100-mile division had one rider who did not complete.
Eone Willemse from South Africa won the senior FEI 100-mile division, riding Valerie Kanavy's My Wild Irish Gold, in a ride time of 10:53:19. She won a metal cut-out trotting horse donated by Mary Howell. FEI Best Conditioned was won by Jeremy Reynolds on Stirgess in 10:53:20. They received a portrait photo donated by Genie Stewart-Spears.
Summary FEI 100-mile results are available here for senior riders and here for young riders.
AHA 100 Results:
The 100-mile AHA Region 12 Championship competition required explicit entry, AHA competition card for owner and rider, and Arab, Half Arab, or AngloArab registry, plus 100 miles. The competition drew 8 entries, among them 7 Arabs and one Half Arab.
Becky Bunnell was Grand Champion in the 100-mile Arab competition riding BR Jubaleigh in a ride time of 10:59:52. Karen Bell was Reserve Champion Arab on Prince Sam in a ride time of 16:03:38. Becky Bunnell's BR Jubaleigh was AHA Best Conditioned Arab, winning a cooling leg wrap donated by BEC. AHA supplied garlands and prizes for Grand and Reserve. AHA also supplied plaques.
Eone Willemse was Grand Champion in the 100-mile HalfArab competition riding Valerie Kanavy's My Wild Irish Gold in 10:53:19. Eone also won Best Conditioned, winning a cooling leg wrap donated by BEC. AHA supplied prizes for all these awards, similar to the full Arab, too.
Summary results for the AHA Region 12 Championship are here.
Team 100 Results:
6 teams were assembled in the 100 to compete for awards offered for the top three teams. The times of the fastest three riders out of three or four counted. Two teams finished enough riders to get prizes.
While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, other prizes were donated by ABC Supplements and Biltmore Equestrian Center.
The first place team was the "Laughing Hyenas" consisting of Sudi Lenhart, Don Meuten, Amy Wallace-Whelan, and Nicki Young Meuten. Their combined best-three ride time was 41:48:19. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and ProBiotics donated by ABC Supplements. "Ace In the Hole" were the second place team with a combined best-three ride time of 46:11:47 posted by members Karen Bell, Stephen Faryadi, Lisa Delp, and Steve Rojek. Their second place finish won them each an Arabian head-shaped cutting board suitable for use in close-confines of horse trailers donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
Full 100-mile team results are available here.
The following items were found at the ride site, please call Cheryl Newman (+1 828 665 1531) if something is yours and you want it back:
-- sponge with yellow biothane lanyard
-- Embroidered FITS BC anti-sweat sheet
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