Overview:
Western North Carolina produced a variant of "Biltmore weather" for the first of May -- high humidity (in the high 90% at ride start) that did not let up much even in the 80 degree heat later in the day. An early evening shower did little to alleviate the heat. The good news was that thanks to a rain earlier in the week and a 2-month period of drying after a difficult winter, the trails and the footing were excellent.
2010 followed the format of 2009 with open AERC rides at 50, 75, and 100 miles. Riders within those rides who qualified could also enter the Arabian Horse Association local ride. And FEI (Federation Equestrian International) divisions were available in each distance for both senior riders and young riders. A total of 147 horses started: 79 in the 50-mile ride; 32 in the 75-mile ride; and 37 in the 100-mile ride. As you will see, the big news in the 100-mile ride is the outstanding performance of Samantha Sandler on her horse, Elliptic, sweeping AERC 100 win, AERC BC, FEI 100 win, FEI BC, and AHA Arab. CONGRATULATIONS! We had our fourth year of team competition at Biltmore this year, available to all riders. Teams consisted of between 3 and 4 riders with the best three times being considered to determine team placings. |
|
APEX (A Partnership for Endurance Xcellence) sponsored novice awards in each distance to the first three riders who complete a distance further than they have ever gone before. The awards were ever-useful baseball caps. Winner in the 50 was Brenda Sears; in the 75 were Dessia Miller, Melody Stoneburner, and Beverly Brock; in the 100 were Austin Shaffer, Bonni Hannah, and Cindy Cairns.
AERC 50 Results:
79 horses and riders started the AERC 50-mile ride, with 55 completing the 50.5 mile course, a 70% completion rate (compared to 78% in 2009, 67% in 2008 and 73.6% in 2007). Completion awards were truck-sized sunscreens sponsored by Ken Wilson Ford Truck and Trailer.
| The winner of the 50 was Veronika Grell on Valerie Kanavy's horse, King Ali Gold, in a ride time of 4:33:03. They won an electronic saddle fitting donated by Shelby Friml of Double Diamond Equine. To top it off, Best Conditioned was also won by Veronika Grell on "Ali". The BC award was a "rider's choice" 8x10 portrait by Genie Stewart-Spears. |
Half an hour back after Veronika and second to finish was Sarah Jack on Meg Sleeper's Shyrocco Troilus (aka, Troy). They won a grooming kit donated by Dom Freeman. Third to finish, minutes behind Sarah, was Theresa Carroll on Frontier Random, winning a three-horse metal sculpture donated by Cheryl Newman.
Sarah Jack on Troy won High Vet Score, and a gift certificate donated by Running Bear.
The 50-mile ride had 2 Juniors competing, with one completing: Rachael Meinders won the Junior division on MS Dasani in 7:06:53. The prize was an 8" x 10" portrait photograph taken at a ride of Rachael's choice by Genie Stewart-Spears.
The Middle of the Pack award was a TackyTack saddle pad, donated by Shorty Grey of Shorty's Saddles. That prize was won by Louise Wilson on Betsey Knight's Bonafyed in 6:44. The Back of the Pack award, another TackyTack saddle pad, donated by Shorty Grey of Shorty's Saddles, went to Cheryl Perry on NVF Kklassy Lady.
Top ten awards were bottles of the commemorative Century vintage wine (or sparkling grape juice for underage winners), donated by Biltmore Winery.
Complete AERC 50-mile results are available here.
| The senior division FEI 50 was won by Ruth Sturley from Canada, on her young horse, Futurystic, better known as Raffle. Her ride time was 7:24:45. Blue Seal donated the prize: a very useful rain sheet. Ruth and Raffle won the FEI senior BC as well -- a backpack donated by Anne Ayala. |
The FEI Young Rider division was won by Sarah Jack, riding Meg Sleeper's Shyrocco Troilus. This is the pair who took second in the open ride, with a ride time of 5:04. Blue Seal donated the rain sheet prize for the FEI first YR. |
The second FEI YR was Steven Hay, with a ride time of 5:36:12, riding Natalie Muzzio's Khalil Asam. They won a lead line donated by Stagg Newman.
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 14 entries, all of them Arabs.
Teresa Johnston won the 50-mile Arabian competition riding Sequennce in 5:35:11. The prize for first place Arab was a beautiful hand-painted pendant with an Arab, painted by and donated by Bonnie Childers.
Team 50 Results:
10 teams were assembled in the 50 to compete for awards offered for the top three teams. The first 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 Biltmore Equestrian Center. The first place team members each received a signed, giclee print of original artwork donated by Marbeth Kollath of Clyde, NC.
The first place team was "Wormy's Women" consisting of Sarah Fletcher, Jeannie Waldron, Lynne Gilbert and Steve Irvin. Their combined best-three ride time was 18:24:50 (compare this with last year's first place team winning time of 16:23 and you will get some idea of the impact of the heat and humidity). Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, and the giclee prints. "Running Bare" was the second place team with a combined best-three ride time of 18:34:09 posted by members Ruth Sturley, Sandy Thomson, and Mary Howell. Their second place finish won them each a book, Bison, donated by Mr. Hasumi, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The third place overall team, The Gray Turtles, consisted of Patsy Gowen, Amy Sumrall, Joe Schoech and Cheryl Perry, with a combined riding time of 19:07:58. They received Easy Glide lubricant sticks donated by Blue Seal, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
32 horses and riders started the AERC 75-mile ride, with 17 completing the 74.4-mile course, a 53% completion rate (compared to 65% in 2009). Completion awards were truck-sized sunscreens sponsored by Ken Wilson Ford Truck and Trailer.
The winner of the 75 was Nicki Meuten on her horse, Not Tonight, in a ride time of 8:10:40. They won an electronic saddle fitting donated by Shelby Friml of Double Diamond Equine. To top it off, they also won the BC award, a fabulous headstall and reins donated by Amanda Taylor of Taylored Tack. |
About an hour and a half later and second to finish was Dessia Miller of Canada on Parker AES. They won a grooming kit donated by Dom Freeman. Third to finish, three minutes further back, was Jennifer Townes on Best of Kin PW, winning a pecan-shell hobby horse.
Valerie Kanavy won High Vet Score on Destiny Gold, and a gift certificate donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. Their ride time was 10:07:56.
The 75-mile ride had no Juniors completing.
The Middle of the Pack award was a TackyTack saddle pad, donated by Shorty Grey of Shorty's Saddles. That prize was won by Alison Bailey on K-Zar Emmanuel. The Back of the Pack award, another TackyTack saddle pad, donated by Shorty Grey of Shorty's Saddles, went to Denise Tudor-Hayes on Emitt.
Top ten awards were bottles of the commemorative Century vintage wine (or sparkling grape juice for underage winners), donated by Biltmore Winery.
Complete AERC 75-mile results are available here.
The senior FEI 75-mile division had 11 riders, with 6 completing (55%). The Young Rider FEI 75-mile division had one rider, and she completed.
| Nicki Meuten won the senior FEI 75-mile division, riding Not Tonight, in a ride time of 8:10:40. She won a rain sheet donated by Blue Seal. Nicki and Not Tonight also won FEI BC, a pack donated by Anne Ayala. | |
| The FEI Young Rider 75-mile ride was won by Olivia Matthaei from Namibia, riding a horse of Ceci Butler-Stasiuk's, DJB Cherrys Juliet, in a ride time of 13:02:53. They won a rain sheet donated by Blue Seal. |
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, among them 8 Arabs and one Half Arab.
Dessia Miller won the 75-mile Arabian competition riding Parker AES in 9:37:24. The prize for first place Arab was a beautiful hand-painted pendant with an Arab, painted by and donated by Bonnie Childers.
The half-Arab did not complete.
6 teams were assembled in the 75 to compete for awards offered for the top three teams. The first 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 Biltmore Equestrian Center. The first place team members each received a signed, giclee print of original artwork donated by Marbeth Kollath of Clyde, NC.
Unfortunately, no team completed the requisite 3 members, so no awards were made.
37 horses and riders started the AERC 50-mile ride, with 19 completing the 98.3 mile course, a 51% completion rate (compared to 64% in 2009, compliments of heat and humidity this year). Completion awards were truck-sized sunscreens sponsored by Ken Wilson Ford Truck and Trailer.
| The winner of the 100 was Samantha Sandler on her horse, Elliptic, in a ride time of 11:31:09. They won an electronic saddle fitting donated by Shelby Friml of Double Diamond Equine. Samantha and Elliptic also won Best Conditioned. The BC award was a maroon-with grey embroidery waterproof blanket donated by Mary Coleman of Country Aire Farm in memory of Maggy Price. Samantha completed her AERC sweep by winning High Vet Score and a gift certificate donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. |
Thirteen minutes behind Samantha and second to finish was Deborah Reich on her mare, DJB Juniper. They won an 8" x 10" portrait photograph taken at a ride of Deborah's choice by Genie Stewart-Spears. Third to finish, 5 minutes behind Deborah, was Eone Willemse from South Africa on Megan Savory's Shashaani. They received a wooden puzzle of a rearing horse.
| The 100-mile ride had two Juniors competing and completing. First to finish was Austin Shaffer riding his family's Pearl Jam with a ride time of 11:49:39. Austin won an 8" x 10" portrait photograph taken at a ride of Austin's choice by Genie Stewart-Spears. |
The second place Junior in the 100 was Meghan Delp on Four Miles Kuna, her appaloosa - Arab cross. Meghan and Four Miles Kuna also got the Turtle award, a TackyTack saddle pad, donated by Shorty Grey of Shorty's Saddles.
The Middle of the Pack award was TackyTack saddle pad, donated by Shorty Grey of Shorty's Saddles. That prize was won by Cheryl van Deusen on Precious Beaunita in 14:06:16.
Top ten awards were bottles of the commemorative Century vintage wine (or sparkling grape juice for underage winners), donated by Biltmore Winery.
Complete AERC 100-mile results are available here.
The senior FEI 100-mile division had 15 riders, with 6 completing (40%). The Young Rider FEI 100-mile division had three riders, and two completed (67%).
Samantha Sandler won the senior FEI 100-mile division, riding Elliptic, in a ride time of 11:31:09. She won a rain sheet donated by Blue Seal. Samantha and Elliptic also won FEI BC, a pack donated by Anne Ayala.
| The FEI Young Rider 100-mile ride was won by Kyle Gibbon on Steve Rojek's Azali Jamal (Julio), in a ride time of 14:06:15. They won a rain sheet donated by Blue Seal. |
Second FEI YR was Anna Wucher from Namibia, on Darolyn Butler's DJB Tessarah, in a ride time of 16:44:24, winning a lead line.
Summary FEI 100-mile results are available here for senior riders and here for young riders.
AHA 100 Results:
The 100-mile AHA local competition required explicit entry, AHA competition card for owner and rider, and Arab, Half Arab, or AngloArab registry. The competition drew 13 entries, among them 12 Arabs and one Half Arab.
Samantha Sandler won the 100-mile Arabian competition riding Elliptic in 11:31:09. The prize for first place Arab was a beautiful hand-painted pendant with an Arab, painted by and donated by Bonnie Childers.
No half-Arabs completed.
Team 100 Results:
8 teams were assembled in the 100 to compete for awards offered for the top three teams. The first 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 Biltmore Equestrian Center. The first place team members each received a signed, giclee print of original artwork donated by Marbeth Kollath of Clyde, NC.
The first place team was "Three Blondes and Yes Dear " consisting of Cheryl van Deusen, Bob Guilen, Eone Willemse, and Megan Savory-Davis. Their combined best-three ride time was 40:10:17 (compare this with last year's first place team winning time of 33:43 --> the heat and humidity took its toll!). Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, and the giclee prints. "Texas Horses " was the second place team with a combined best-three ride time of 40:48:03 posted by members Ceci Butler-Stasiuk, Darolyn Butler, Anna Wucher, and Deborah Reich. Their second place finish won them each a book, Bison, donated by Mr. Hasumi, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The third place overall team, Claude & Company, consisted of Claude Brewer, Kara Disbrow, Gina Hagis and Tom Hagis, with a combined riding time of 40:58:05. They received Easy Glide lubricant sticks donated by Blue Seal, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
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:
red collapsible chair
pink and blue cotton lead line (found in upper field)
single black shin boot for a horse (around the main tent)
nice pair of about 2 diopter 'readers' in hard-sided lizard case (around the main tent)
Verizon LG cell phone (seems functional, but the screen is shot) (around the main tent)
Come Ride With Us!