Overview:
Western North Carolina had the most gloriously wonderful for an endurance ride of the last six years at least for the 2011 Biltmore Challenge: a river-misted, cool start in the mid-40s, climbing to a sun-filled, but not too humid, mid-70s afternoon. The trails were just dry enough after a Tuesday rain followed by some breezy, cool days. The horses, riders, and crews all loved it! The trails and the footing were excellent.
For the first time ever, thanks to a new bridge across the French Broad River, the ride used a new trail on 'the West Side'. This new stretch 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. Virtually everyone agreed that the trail was inviting, beautiful, and a great ride. We hope to exploit more on the West Side in the future.
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 167 horses started: 93 in the 50-mile ride; 41 in the 75-mile ride; and 33 in the 100-mile ride.
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What the results hint at, but the detailed scoring underlined, was the truly outstanding performance of Valerie Kanavy's Gold Medal Farm horses. They swept the top three spots in the 75-mile ride at an outstanding 7:14 pace and got top-10 in the 50-mile ride. Three were ridden by FEI Young Riders trying to qualify for the NAYREC, the PanAms, Dubai, and other international events. All stood for BC (two won), and all had truly outstanding vet scores (all four horses got full 10 points for recovery, hydration, and lesions, and lost minimal on the other veterinary factors). |
We had our fifth 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.
Another outstanding feature of the event was the availability of 'Performance Profiling' open to a maximum of 36 riders. This entailed bloodwork, a dehydration measurement using a BAI device, Profile of Mood Status (POMS) questions, some progressive recoveries, and a correlation with rider card information. This unique combination of assessments were enabled by APEX (A Partnership for Endurance Xcellence), Abaxis (maker of the blood analysis equipment), University of Guelph (doing the correlation analysis), and VacuMed (distributor of the BAI devices in the USA). The results will be shared and interpreted with the individual participants using APEX-recruited experts, and used cummulatively to further research in endurance horse welfare issues.
AERC 50 Results:
93 (!) horses and riders started the AERC 50-mile ride, with 81 completing the 51 mile course, an 87% completion rate (compared to 70% in 2010, 78% in 2009, 67% in 2008 and 73.6% in 2007). This attests to the quality of the trails, the weather, and the care the riders took of their mounts. Completion awards were tee-shirts sponsored in part by Equi-Librium shoes from Delta-Mustad.
| The winner of the 50 was Teresa Carroll on her Arab, More than Faith, in a ride time of 4:46. They won hand-crafted, quilted horse-themed throw blanket made and donated by Jane Graffam. |  |
Seconds later, her husband, Scott Carroll finished to win second place on his Arab, ATK Kalypso. They won a rope halter donated by the Newmans. Third to finish, was Margaret Ricketson on Margaret Clare Summers' Mardi Gras Tuesday, winning a lead rope donated by the Biltmore Equestrian Center (BEC).
Meghan Delp, on Valerie Kanavy's Layla Z Gold won High Vet Score, and a gift certificate donated by Running Bear. Meghan also won Best Conditioned, with the award a beautiful polarfleece horse dress sheet donated by Anne Ayala in memory of her horse, Beau, who died last fall.
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The 50-mile ride had 2 Juniors competing, with both completing: Will Sadlon won the Junior division on Kadar in 6:00. The prize was an 8" x 10" portrait photograph taken at a ride of Will's choice by Genie Stewart-Spears. |
| The Sadlon family rode together: Tim, Will, and Meta. Portrait photo courtesy of Genie Stewart-Spears. |
The Middle of the Pack award was a leather halter, donated by BEC. That prize was won by Erin Lowe-Pagliaro on Mike Bostic's Zero in 7:12. The Back of the Pack award, another lead line donated by BEC, went to Dr Bob Marshall on his Tennesee Walking Horse, Star.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvingnon) (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 TJ Vore, on her young Arab, BHF Flash Back. Her ride time was 6:01. Anne Ayala donated the prize: a USEF briefcase. No FEI senior division Best Condition was awarded. |
The FEI Young Rider division was won by Meghan Delp, riding Valerie Kanavy's Layla Z Gold. This is the pair who took sixth in the open ride, with a ride time of 5:09. BEC donated the giclee print of the ride logo by Marbie Kollath as prize for the FEI first YR. No surprise: Meghan also won the FEI YR BC award: a Farnam goody tote full of good equine products. |
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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 18 entries: 15 Arabs, and 3 Half-Arabs.
Denise Secino won the 50-mile Arab competition riding Windstalker in 5:08. The prize for first place Arab was a beautiful hand-painted pendant with an Arab, painted by and donated by Bonnie Childers. Melissa Wagoner won the Half-Arab competition on her CMA High Voltage in a ride time of 6:33 to get a lovely beta biothane 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 APEX, Blue Seal, and Healthy As a Horse.
The first place team was the "Rock Stars" consisting of Foster Olson, Margaret Clare Summers, Teresa Carroll, and Margaret Ricketson. Their combined best-three ride time was 15:49:22 (compare this to the 18:24:50 under heat and humidity of 2010). Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and the hand-drawn-from-horseshoe horse head hoof picks. "Idiopathics" were the second place team with a combined best-three ride time of 16:28:06 posted by members Heidi Perrault, Sharon Becker, Melina Efthimidias, and Allison Rogala. Their second place finish won them each a stick of Easy Glide donated by Blue Seal. The third place overall team was unnamed, consisting of Mary Howell, Samantha Jacobs, Wesley Crowe, and Johnny Petras, with a combined riding time of 16:47:04. Their third place finish won them each bag of horse cookies (horses love them!) donated by Blue Seal, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The fourth place team was "Team Rabbit" with a best-three riding time of 17:20:36. This team of Karen Bell, Scott Carroll, Nelia Rueter and Kara Disbrow received 2011 horse log books donated by Healthy as a Horse, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
Full 50-mile team results are available here.
41 horses and riders started the AERC 75-mile ride, with 29 completing the 74-mile course, a 71% completion rate (compared to 53% in 2010 and 65% in 2009). Completion awards were tee-shirts sponsored in part by Equi-Librium shoes from Delta-Mustad.
The winner of the 75 was Kelsey Russell on Valerie Kanavy's Arab, My Wild Irish Gold, in a ride time of 7:14:54. They won hand-crafted, quilted horse-themed throw blanket made and donated by Jane Graffam. To top it off, they also won the BC award, a beautiful polarfleece horse dress sheet donated by Anne Ayala in memory of her horse, Beau, who died last fall. And Kelsey was also top Junior, winning a portrait of her choice from Genie Stewart-Spears. |
One second behind was Cassandra Roberts on Valerie Kanavy's horse, Destiny Gold. And Valerie herself was one second behind on Reach for the Gold. The next horses were an hour behind. These three horses and riders got on the premier list for the PanAm by finishing in less than 7:15. The group finished about an hour ahead of the next horse. Second place award was a nylon halter donated by the Newmans, third place was a rope lead line donated by BEC.
Kelsey Russell won High Vet Score on My Wild Irish Gold, and a gift certificate donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
The Middle of the Pack award was a leather halter, donated by BEC. That prize was won by Daryl Downs on Sally Jellison's Geronimo's Fire in 9:35. The Back of the Pack award, another lead line donated by BEC, went to Nancy Sluys on her Half-Arab FYF InZane.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvingnon) (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 16 riders, with 11 completing (69%). The Young Rider FEI 75-mile division had seven riders, and six completed.
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Valerie Kanavy won the senior FEI 75-mile division, riding Reach for the Gold, in a ride time of 7:14:56. She won a briefcase donated by the Newmans. Val and Reach for the Gold also won FEI BC, a weekend at the Settlement at Thomas Divide. |
| The FEI Young Rider 75-mile ride was won by Kelsey Russell riding Valerie Kanavy's My Wild Irish Gold, in a ride time of 7:14:54. They won a giclee print of the ride logo by Marbie Kollath donated by BEC as prize for the FEI first YR. Kelsey also won the FEI YR BC. |
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 10 entries, among them 9 Arabs and one Half Arab.
Natalie Muzzio won the 75-mile Arabian competition riding Laconic in 8:19. 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 prize, a lovely beta biothane halter donated by Distance Depot, was won by Nancy Sluys on FYF InZane in 13:33.
Full 75-mile AHA results are available here.
8 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 APEX, Blue Seal, and Healthy As a Horse.
The first place team was the "Golden Girls " consisting of Kelsey Russell, Cassandra Roberts, Valerie Kanavy, and Kathy Downs (who says she really knows how to pick teammates). Their combined best-three ride time was 21:44:45. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and the hand-drawn-from-horseshoe horse head hoof picks. "VPs" were the second place team with a combined best-three ride time of 25:55:20 posted by members Diane Connolly, Gene Limlaw, Steven Hay, and Natalie Muzzio. Their second place finish won them each bag of horse cookies (horses love them!) donated by Blue Seal, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The third place team was "3 Hotties and a Skinny White Boy" members Daryl Downs, Jody Buttram, Eva Kucerova Leisner, and Suzanne Solis with a best-three riding time of 28:03:12. They received 2011 horse log books donated by Healthy as a Horse, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear.
Full 75-mile team results are available here.
33 horses and riders started the AERC 100-mile ride, with 19 completing the 100 mile course, a 58% completion rate (compared to 50% in 2010, and 64% in 2009). Completion awards were tee-shirts sponsored in part by Equi-Librium shoes from Delta-Mustad.
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The winner of the 100 was Farzad Faryadi on his Arab, Hot Desert Knight, in a ride time of 10:19. They won a a maroon-colored, gold-embroidered waterproof blanket donated by Mary Coleman in memory of Maggy Price. |
A couple of minutes behind Farzad and second to finish was Claire Godwin on her Arab, EH Ahmose. They won a red halter. Hot on Claire's heels was Amy Whelan riding Wallce Hill Shade, winning a lead line.
| The 100-mile ride had no Juniors competing and completing. |
The Middle of the Pack award was a leather halter, donated by BEC. That prize was won by Dessia Miller on Parker AES in 13:16. Back of the Pack was won by Beverly Brock on Stagg Newman's FFC First Csea Lord, better known as "Winston" in a ride time of 16:45, winning a lead rope.
Top ten awards were bottles of Biltmore Estate wine (Chardonnay, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvingnon) (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 10 riders, with 9 completing (90%). The Young Rider FEI 100-mile division had two riders, and one completed (50%).
Farzad Faryadi won the senior FEI 100-mile division, riding Hot Desert Knight, in a ride time of 10:19:12. He won a beautiful headstall and reins donated by Taylored Tack. FEI Best Conditioned was won by Meg Sleeper's Syrocco Cadence in 10:38:44.
| The FEI Young Rider 100-mile ride was won by Kyle Gibbon on Steve Rojek's Misu Koran, in a ride time of 12:55:47. They won a giclee print of the ride logo by Marbie Kollath donated by BEC as prize for the FEI first YR. No YR BC was awarded. |
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. The competition drew 15 entries, among them 12 Arabs and three Half Arabs.
Farzad Faryadi was Grand Champion in the 100-mile Arab competition riding Hot Desert Knight in 10:19:12. Claire Godwin was reserve on EH Ahmose, with Meg Sleeper as Best Conditioned. AHA supplied garlands and prizes for all these prizes. AHA also supplied completion awards (half chaps), and top five plaques.
The Half-Arab Grand Champion was Joni Buttram's Cash Bonus, in a ride time of 12:11:54. Reserve Champion Half-Arab was Lynn Kenelly's Basha Bada Bing, in a ride time of 13:35:09. Best Conditioned went to Joni Buttram's Cash Bonus. 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:
7 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 APEX, Blue Seal, and Healthy As a Horse.
The first place team was the "Biltmore Bullets" consisting of Darolyn Butler, Ceci Butler-Stasiuk, Deborah Reich, and Sarah Rogerson. Their combined best-three ride time was 31:58:41. Their combined time won them medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear, gift certificates from Running Bear, and the hand-drawn-from-horseshoe horse head hoof picks. "Tom and the Hustlers (Hooters)" were the second place team with a combined best-three ride time of 34:18:44 posted by members Tom Hagis, Amy Wallace-Whelan, Claire Godwin, and Samantha Sandler. Their second place finish won them each bag of horse cookies (horses love them!) donated by Blue Seal, plus medals donated by Teddy Lancaster of Running Bear. The third place team was "The Young and the Restless" members Angie McGhee, Josie McGhee, Joni Buttram, and Farzad Faryadi with a best-three riding time of 36:36:40. They received 2011 horse log books donated by Healthy as a Horse, 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:
-- red-with-black-piping flake bag
-- EasyCare EasyBoot glue-on -- black
-- green polarfleece flannel with KMI gold embroidery -- horse or person throw.
-- blue cigarette case, with cigarettes
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