Ride managers can obsess about the weather. Ten days ahead of the ride, the forecast was for upper sixties, with a remote chance of some showers for ride day. The closer the day came, the lower the temperature forecast went and the more rain got added. By Friday, the day before the ride, the weather that day was overcast with gusty wind and a high of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. But the flowers were fabulous (see finish line photo below).
And the forecast for ride day was upper fifties with about 50% chance of rain, primarily starting around nightfall. By ride day, the trend had continued -- maybe hitting the upper fifties, gusty winds, and serious rain on the way for later in the day, starting anywhere from 3pm to 9pm depending on the forecast source. I kept telling everyone to try to finish in daylight.
Ride day, it was chilly and damp, got damper, and finally rained then poured. Officials huddled thinking about emergency evacuation plans -- how to get literally over 100 trailers out of bogged down fields, loaded up, and out of the area if needed; and what to do if the ride had to be 'called' mid-ride. However, the 50-milers all completed before any real rain (mizzle doesn't count), and same for the 75-milers. We were pressing the envelope, but were thankful.
The lead 100-milers made it in before dark, and before the serious rain. But most of the 100-milers got drenched, with all but one finishing by around 1am. That last rider gutted it out, leaving on the 15-mile last loop around midnight, and slogging through increasingly unstable footing to complete around 4:30am.
Meanwhile, looking at the forecast, and the increasing potential for emergency evacuation, the management team decided for safety to have an unprecedented separate awards for the 50-mile ride on Saturday evening, and to try to get as many trailers out as possible as early as possible.
Sunday morning, the rain was coming on seriously. The French Broad River was visibly rising in its banks, and we were told that the roads out would close in about 4 hours. Awards went off without a hitch, and the Biltmore team got together pulling rigs out of the River backwash areas onto more solid ground so they could leave. By noon, everyone had been moved to safety and / or was on their way home. Kudos to the Biltmore team!
Thank goodness; see the photos of the Monday morning trail and camp views below. The French Broad River had not yet crested.
 |
 |
 |
 |
But all that was background and post-ride drama to the real event: one rider, one horse, one day, and miles and miles of trail through spring vegetation on the Biltmore Estate and Biltmore Farms. Scenes ranged from riverfront, flowering trees, beautiful mountain vistas, vineyards all anchored by the amazing chateau. This marked the twentieth anniversary of a ride initiated by Anne Ayala who honshoed it directly for over ten years, and only let death release her from real participation in December 2012. The Friday ride briefing had time for welcome to the Estate by CEO Bill Cecil, Jr; a tribute to Anne Ayala by her husband, Ken Ayala; and a recognition of those at the ride who had been ridden 10 or more years, with particular tribute to Patsy Gowen and Claude Brewer with over 15, and Steve Rojek who had only missed one year. VetTec sponsored the twentieth anniversary recognition tributes.
Competition day started with the 100-milers leaving camp in early dawn light at 6 am, with 75s following at 6:30 am, and the 50s coming along at 7 am. All distances were AERC, local AHA, FEI SR and FEI Junior / Young Rider events. A total of 151 horses started: 78 in the 50-mile ride; 44 in the 75-mile ride; and 29 in the 100-mile ride.
Once again, FEI Junior / Young Riders claimed the preponderance of the entries in the 75-mile ride, with nineteen entrants. Twelve of these were looking 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 these young riders are aiming true at that target. The remaining seven of the Junior / Young Riders came as a special group from the United Arab Emirates, from the W'rsan Stables, and competed on horses leased for the event from US owners. As a very welcome gesture, the W'rsan Stables donated a catered barbecue lunch on ride day to everyone on site.
We had our seventh 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.
 |
The best award was saved til last -- the Anne Ayala Biltmore Pardner Award. Conceived of in memory of Anne with her long time outstanding partnership with her horse, Beau, this award recognizes the horse / rider combination completing this year who has the most completed miles together at the Biltmore Challenge. When the results for this year were all in, Mary Farris and Thundering Overtime won, with 375 miles together at the Biltmore Challenge. Becky Pearman donated the award of an 8 x 10 photograph of the pair on trail. Congratulations! |
The 50-mile trail included a previously unused portion of the long white trail, called White Forest, with some lengthening to make its mileage (14.9 miles) exactly match the more straightforward White River trail used by the 100s and 75s. This change was precipitated by the recognition over the last year that having a straightforward loop early in the 50-mile ride could be deceiving to riders who expect trails to get easier as the ride progresses. This trail gave the horses and riders some things to think about, riding a good 10 minutes longer than White River has in the past for the 50-milers. Riders seemed to take the change positively, enjoying the more challenging trail and seeing some trails never used in the spring ride before.
78 horses and riders started the 50-mile trail, with 81% completing. This can be compared to 80% in 2012, 87% in 2011, 70% in 2010, 78% in 2009, 67% in 2008 and 73.6% in 2007). Completion awards were twentieth anniversary, full color T-shirts sponsored by Southern States / Triple Crown Feed and Ken Wilson Ford.
R ae Shumate-Tysor on Shelley Scott-Jones' Super Sonnic won the AERC 50 and the YR FEI 50 |
Rae Shumate-Tysor, a Young Rider from Cumming, GA, won the 50 mile ride on Shelley Scott-Jones' Super Sonnic in a ride time of 5:18:35. They won a V-Max heart monitor set-up donated by Distance Depot. Just over a minute behind, Gina Hagis came in on her Phoenix Fairlane in a ride time of 5:19:41, winning an EasyCare Snug Pack. Nine minutes later, Bonni Hannah rode in on her Finderzkeepers (5:28:03), winning a 5 gallon Fortiflex bucket donated by the Newmans. Best conditioned was won by Amy Wallace-Whelan riding her Mohummed Shazam in a ride time of 5:52:58, getting a BC score of 680. They also got high vet score (425). BC brought a pair of bronze Beverly Zimmer bookends donated by the Newmans, and high vet score brought a gift certificate donated by Running Bear. Six juniors rode in the ride, all of them completing (!). First to finish among the juniors was Savanah Wilson, from Canada, riding her R Mercedez, in a ride time of 5:42:09. She won an 8 x 10 photograph from on trail donated by Becky Pearman. Other juniors completing won sponges and leadlines donated by the Newmans. |
The Middle of the Pack award was a framed mirror with special decorations for the Biltmore Challenge twentieth anniversary donated by Ann Pfeiffer. That prize was won by Trish Harrop on her appaloosa, LT Bright Patch Joker in a ride time of 6:43:57. The Back of the Pack award, a hand-carved and finished wood rearing horse from Ann Kratochvil, went to Aja Smith on Beth Marshall's Tennessee Walker, Spirit of Woodhaven, in a ride time of 10:22:00.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay sur Lies or Cabernet Sauvingnon), donated by Biltmore Winery. Eleventh place was a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients, won by Emily Richardson on OLF Hale Bop in a ride time of 5:58:09.
Gail Thompson's horse, KF Baran's Salutation was best Morgan, in 7:33:41.
Complete AERC 50-mile results are available here
The senior division FEI 50 attracted 9 riders, 8 of whom completed. The division was won by Amy Wallace-Whelan riding her Mohummed Shazam in a ride time of 5:52:58. She won a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. Amy also won the FEI senior division best conditioned award, a set of 4 USET tumblers.
The FEI Young / Junior Rider division had three riders, all of whom completed. Rae Shumate-Tysor won the FEI JY 50 mile ride on Shelley Scott-Jones' Super Sonnic in a ride time of 5:18:35. They won a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. FEI JY 50 mile best conditioned was won by Savanah Wilson on R Mercedez, in a ride time of 5:42:09. Savanah won a gift certificate donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
FEI 50-mile results are available here for senior riders and here for young riders.
The 50-mile AHA local competition required explicit entry, AHA competition card for owner and rider, and Arab, Half Arab, or AngloArab registry in the USA or Canada. 13 entered the competition -- 10 full Arabs and 3 half-Arabs. All completed.
Rae Shumate-Tysor won the full Arab 50 mile ride on Shelley Scott-Jones' Super Sonnic in a ride time of 5:18:35. They won an Equi-Tech saddle pad donated by Shorty's Saddles. Claude Brewer on his Hal Bents Sky Bar won the HalfArab competition in a ride time of 5:58:10. They also won an Equi-Tech saddle pad donated by Shorty's Saddles.
Full 50-mile AHA results are available here.
10 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 Peak Performance Nutrients and the Newmans.
The first place team was the "Val and Gold Medal Wannabees" consisting of Rae Shumate-Tysor, Valerie Kanavy, Bobbie Martin, and Robert Gielen. Their combined best-three ride time was 17:44:31. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and 3-dose tubes of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. Second place in the team standings were the "Kentucky Derby Dolls", comprised of Amy Wallace Whelan, Janice Taylor, Paige Taylor and Diane Rowley, finishing in a best-three time of 18:09:08. This team won horse-head-shaped cutting blocks donated by the Newmans plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. "Quatro De Maya or 3 Bombs and A Tom" were the third place team with a best-three ride time of 18:48:38 turned in by Tom Hagis, Gina Hagis, Bonni Hannah, and Pat Oliva, winning sponges donated by the Newmans and medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
 |
And then we had a team that completed all four riders in a well-orchestrated tie. The FEI (Four Equine Idiots): Alison Bailey, Heather Werts, and the two juniors Heather was sponsoring, Claire Taylor and Wesley Taylor. Their uniform time was 7:18:34.... |
Full team results for the fifty mile ride are available here.
New FEI rules demanded some change in trail, so riders got a good mixture of riding -- along the river, along the West Side in the vineyards, into the Biltmore Farms area, and through the local woodlands.
44 horses and riders started the AERC 75-mile ride, with 35 completing the 75-mile course, a 79.5% completion rate (compared to 77% in 2012, 71% in 2011, 53% in 2010 and 65% in 2009). Completion awards were twentieth anniversary, full color T-shirts sponsored by Southern States / Triple Crown Feed and Ken Wilson Ford.
Sarah Jack on Nicki Meuten's FYF Dutch won the AERC 75, AERC BC, the FEI JYR 75, the FEI JYR BC, and overall high vet score. You could say they had a good day.
|
Sarah Jack, a Young Rider from New Hampshire, won the 75 mile ride on Nicki Meuten's FYF Dutch in a ride time of 8:14:18. They won a hand-painted or drawn portrait by equine artist Emily Shields. Minutes behind came Jen Townes on her Best of Kin PW and Emily Webb on Bob Gielen's Sams Candyman in a ride time of 8:21:58/59, respectively. Jen won an EasyCare Snug Pack, and Emily a 5 gallon Fortiflex bucket donated by the Newmans. Best conditioned was won by Sarah Jack on FYF Dutch, getting a BC score of 736. They also got high vet score (440). The BC prize was a fabulous Indian-inspired headstall and reins donated by Taylored Tack, and high vet score brought a gift certificate donated by Running Bear. Three juniors rode in the ride, all of them completing (!). First to finish among the juniors was Katya Levermann, from Canada, riding Dessia Miller's Parker AES, in a ride time of 8:40:47. She won an 8 x 10 photograph from on trail donated by Becky Pearman. Other juniors completing won sponges and leadlines donated by the Newmans. The Middle of the Pack award was a framed mirror with special decorations for the Biltmore Challenge twentieth anniversary donated by Ann Pfeiffer. That prize was won by Kyle Gibbon on Steve Rojek's Tribune in a ride time of 9:51:32. The Back of the Pack award, a SnugPak from EasyCare, went to Karen Keilholtz Depaola riding Barbara Hershberger's Kenlyn Irishman. Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay sur Lies or Cabernet Sauvingnon), donated by Biltmore Winery. Eleventh place was a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients, won by Mary Farris on Thundering Overtime, in a ride time of 9:35:02. Complete AERC 75-mile results are available here |
The senior division FEI 75 attracted 15 riders, 14 of whom completed. The division was won by Jen Townes on her Best of Kin PW in a ride time of 8:21:58. She won a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. Lee Hutten on her I Bee Jazzin' won the FEI senior division best conditioned award, a shear comfort seat saver donated by Distance Depot. Lee's BC score was 619, and her ride time was 8:40:00.
The FEI Young / Junior Rider division had 19 riders, 15 of whom completed. Sarah Jack won the FEI JY 50 mile ride on Nicki Meuten's FYF Dutch in a ride time of 8:14:18. They won a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. FEI JY 50 mile best conditioned was also won by Sarah -- she won a gift certificate donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
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 in the USA or Canada. 8 entered the competition -- 7 full Arab and 1 half-Arab. 6 Arabs and the HalfArab completed.
Barbara Hershberger won the full Arab 75 mile ride onher AnyDayNow in a ride time of 9:48:45. They won an Equi-Tech saddle pad donated by Shorty's Saddles. Leah Palestrant on her Zeus Apoll won the HalfArab competition in a ride time of 11:21:18. They also won an Equi-Tech saddle pad donated by Shorty's Saddles.
Full 75-mile AHA results are available here.
5 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 Peak Performance Nutrients and the Newmans.
The first place team was the "3 YRs and a Wannabee" consisting of Mallory Capps, Katherine Gardener, Samantha Yates and Emma Webb. Their combined best-three ride time was 26:23:20. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and 3-dose tubes of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. Second place in the team standings was the "Moose Patrol", comprised of Lee Hutten, Katya Levermann, Michael Bishop, and Josie Whelan, finishing in a best-three time of 26:56:37. This team won horse-head-shaped cutting blocks donated by the Newmans plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. Lori Oleson, Michele Roush, Sarah Schick, and Barbara Hershberger were the third place team, "Shake and Bake", with a best-three ride time of 28:59:34, winning ProBis donated by ABC Supplements and medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
Full team results for the 75-mile ride are available here.
Trails for the 100-mile ride took advantage of the parts of the historic trail system through Biltmore Farms, providing some of the best forest and river riding around.
29 horses and riders started the 100-mile course, with 19 pairs completing. This reflects a 66% completion rate, as compared to 65% in 2012, 58% in 2011, 50% in 2010, and 64% in 2009. Completion awards were twentieth anniversary, full color T-shirts sponsored by Southern States / Triple Crown Feed and Ken Wilson Ford.
Nicki Meuten on her Not Tonight (Nellie) won the AERC 100, the FEI 100, BC in the 100, FEI BC in the 100. Not a bad day's work!
|
Nicki Meuten from Zebulon, NC won the 100-mile competition on her horse Not Tonight, better known as Nellie, in a ride time of 9:59:03. They won a maroon-colored, gold-embroidered waterproof blanket donated by Mary Coleman in memory of Maggy Price. About a quarter hour behind Nicki came Nicola Gilbert, from Great Britain, riding her first 100-mile ride on a novice-100 horse, Cleopatrah, owned by Jeremy and Heather Reynolds. Their ride time was 10:16:47. They won an EasyCare Snug Pack. Another three-quarters of an hour later (by this time it was starting to rain and get truly dark) Amy Atkins came in on Deborah Reich's DJB Juniper, winning 5 gallon Fortiflex bucket donated by the Newmans (ride time of 11:02:11). The remaining riders in the 100 contended with various levels of rain through the "Deep Dark Woods", and it showed in their slower ride times, with the next finisher after Amy coming in over two hours later. The first three stood for best conditioned, which was won by Nicki Meuten on Not Tonight, getting a BC score of 765. The BC prize was a water-color portrait of Nellie done by Marbie Kollath. High vet score was 485.5 achieved by Amy Atkins on DJB Juniper. High vet score brought a gift certificate donated by Running Bear. No juniors started the 100. The Middle of the Pack award was a framed mirror with special decorations for the Biltmore Challenge twentieth anniversary donated by Ann Pfeiffer. That prize was won by Nancy Sluys on her FYF InZane in a ride time of 14:47:02. The Back of the Pack award, a rump rug from Double Diamond Equine, went to Denise Tudor-Hayes on her horse, American Treasure, who persevered through the night to finish at 4:24 am in a ride time of 18:54:51. Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay sur Lies or Cabernet Sauvingnon), donated by Biltmore Winery. Eleventh place was a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients, won by Shana Hall on Thorn, in a ride time of14:47:03. |
Complete AERC 100-mile results are available here.
The senior division FEI 100 attracted 12 riders, 7 of whom completed. The division was won by Nicki Meuten on Not Tonight in a ride time of 9:59:03. She won a 3-dose tube of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. Nicki and Nellie also won the FEI senior division best conditioned award, a giclee print of the Biltmore Challenge logo done by Marbie Kollath and donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center.
No Junior / Young Riders entered the FEI 100.
FEI 100-mile results for the SRs are available here.
The 100-mile AHA local competition required explicit entry, AHA competition card for owner and rider, and Arab, Half Arab, or AngloArab registry in the USA or Canada. 7 entered the competition -- 6 full Arab and 1 half-Arab. 3 Arabs and the HalfArab completed.
Nicki Meuten won the full Arab 100 mile ride on her Not Tonight (Nellie) in a ride time of 9:59:03. They won an Equi-Tech saddle pad donated by Shorty's Saddles. Nancy Sluys on her FYF InZane won the HalfArab competition in a ride time of 14:47:02. They also won an Equi-Tech saddle pad donated by Shorty's Saddles.
Full 100-mile AHA results are available here.
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. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, other prizes were donated by Peak Performance Nutrients, the Newmans, and Biltmore Equestrian Center.
The first place team was the "International Experience" consisting of Jeremy Reynolds, Nicola Gilbert, Amy Atkins, and Jaber Al-Marri. Their combined best-three ride time was 36:05:20. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and 3-dose tubes of Perfect Balance electrolytes donated by Peak Performance Nutrients. Second place in the 100-mile team standings were the "Carolina Cuties", comprised of Sheree Holmes, Nancy Sluys, Ruth Anne Everett, and TJ Vore, finishing in a best-three time of 41:39:54. This team won horse-head-shaped cutting blocks donated by the Newmans plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The Winett Quartet were the third place team with a best-three ride time of 43:56:41. Those riders, Lisa Delp, Patti Pizzo, Debbie Schultz, and Alayna Wagner won cooling leg wraps donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center and medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
Full team results for the 100-mile ride are available here.
Unclaimed items found on site:
tan people raincoat
black people nylon parka
Gallop on the Greenway top 10 throw fleece
A Canadian maple-leaf chair
A fancy electronic stethoscope
a few small items
Lost items, not found:
Propane tank with a heater top left under the release timer tent
First up 10' x 10' canopy tent (Blue)
100' black water hose.
Please contact Cheryl Newman if any of the found items is yours, or you found any of the lost items, thanks.
Come Ride With Us!