2020 Results

2023 Results

May 2023 Results

Ride photos and portraits are available at http://www.beckypearman.smugmug.com.

100-milers leaving water station on their first loop

Overview
Friday AERC 25-Mile Results
Friday 25-Mile Team Results
Friday AERC 50-Mile Results
Friday 50-Mile Team Results
Saturday AERC 30-Mile Results
Saturday 30-Mile Team Results
Saturday AERC 55-Mile Results
Saturday 55-Mile Team Results
Saturday AERC 75-Mile Results
Saturday 75-Mile Team Results
Saturday AERC 100-Mile Results
Saturday AHA Region XII 100-Mile Championship Results
Saturday 100-Mile Team Results
Lost and Found

Overview:

As mentioned in prior year's results, ride managers tend to obsess about the weather, especially when their venue is in a flood plain. Early in ride week, it was looking depressing -- forecast for over an inch of rain between late Friday and mid-afternoon Saturday. Not enough for flooding, but enough to make riders and horses face challenges beyond just the trail. The West Hills rain poncho welcome gifts were looking like they were not insurance -- they would be needed. Then, things started to change. And ride days were outstandingly great for riding. For the first time in many years, Biltmore Challenge happened with NO rain.

The core vet team was Duane Barnett as head vet with able fellow-vets Ken Marcella, Amy Spies, Art King, Nick Kohut, and Ike Nelson.

Lynne Johnson was our excellent treatment vet.

The competition hosted a team from University of Georgia veterinary school that is researching the impact of so-called 'leaky gut' in endurance horses. They worked with 60 riders over the course of the competition, getting blood and fecal samples at various times from the horses. From the feedback, everyone worked well together and all are eagerly awaiting the results -- for each horse, and for the learnings for competitions at large. A summary of the basic study approach is available here.

Also, special this year, SERA sponsored RideWithGPS maps for this ride. Riders downloaded the app on their mobile, then the ride maps, and had trail directions they rode along. Feedback thus far is that while riders were happy to have that as a backup plan, the trails were so well marked that it doesn't seem to have been used much. The trail team did an outstanding job!

Speaking of which, Biltmore Equestrian Center and the extended team of helpers, including pre-riders, GPS guru Joe Schoech, and trail master Stagg Newman, had the trails well-marked and well-cleared. Ride week had seen 40+ mph winds that felled many trees that seemed to nearly-miraculously get cleared. Many thanks.

Over the two days, 207 riders took to the trails.

A selection of follow-ups:

1. Two horses were treated at the ride site and recovered well before ride end.

2. Results have been submitted to AERC.

3. Refunds if applicable:

Please look for any general refund around the end of May. The process: post-ride Cheryl assembles the data for refunds. These were sent to BEC on Monday night, 9 May. BEC checks them over for bloopers (which have been known to happen). After checking it goes to Biltmore Estate accounting for further checking then check issuance, then Post Office. If you are getting a snail mail refund, please bug Cheryl if you don't have it by end of May.

4. Thanks for your understanding about parking. Always a challenge! and special thanks to Ginee Ritter for coordinating that.

Other special recognitions (I may miss many):

The volunteer coordinators for this ride are the best: Bonni Hannah (for the 'away' positions: spotters, pre-riders); Rachel Kelly(for the camp positions: timer helpers, scribes, runners....).

Food organization: Rachel Kelly (BEC) (unless you have managed a ride, you have no idea what a headache food is, even if you confine it to our 70+ officials and volunteers each day).

Our sponsors, contributors, vets, timers, officials, farrier (Jeff Pauley), Joe Schoech (simply the best new rider briefing around), volunteers....

The riders, the horses, and their crews!!!!

THANKS! We are glad you came, and hope you return!

Friday AERC 25-Mile Results:

The limited distance ride, 25 miles on Friday, started 56 riders. The riders found the trail challenging as reflected in the 66% completion rate. Completion awards were Biltmore Challenge golf towels decorated with laurel leaves sponsored by Biltmore Equestrian Center and New Holland / West Hills Tractor.

Mark Landers on Kevlar came in first, and got Best Conditioned, too

Mark Landers, a competitor who also does ride-and-tie, came in first on his Kevlar, in a ride time of 2:41. A minute later, Courtney Krueger's Dakhota Charm pulsed in (Courtney also does ride and tie), getting second. Third place went to Tiffany Smith on Phenix, nine minutes later.

NOTE: in Fall 2023 (this year), the National Ride and Tie Championship will be held at Biltmore!

First to finish won a $100 gift certificate donated by Distance Depot. Second won a gift certificate for Platinum Performance donated by Platinum. Third won a doser of Hydrate donated by Complete Equine Performance (CEP). Top ten awards were Biltmore Challenge labeled bottles of wine from Biltmore Winery donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center.

Three juniors entered the ride and two completed: Kylie Robinson on Lucky Jody edged Charlie Merritt on Boston by one minute (5:04 ve 5:05). Kylie won a framed portrait from on-trail done by Becky Pearman.

Seven horses stood for Best Conditioned, which was won by Mark Landers on Kevlar, receiving a $50 gift certificate donated by Riding Warehouse. High vet score went to Millie Turner on her Sunny Afternoon (Morgan power!), receiving a embroidered blanket/gear bag the ride's two running horses with riders donated by Ginee Ritter. The BC score was 706 and High Vet Score was 440.

Eleventh place was Carrie Baris on Comets Kurino in 3:46, winning a combination of a 5 gallon bucket, riding gloves, and a rider-card-pack for the saddle donated by Parry Harness and Tack / Running Bear.

Kylie Robinson was first Junior on Lucky Jody

Middle of the pack award was a full year equestrian pass to the Biltmore Grounds and Gardens, entitling the winner to access to the grounds and trails of the Estate for a year; donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center. That was won by Maddie Rogers on Travverse in 4:23.

Back of the pack was Patricia Robinson on Tequila Sue in a ride time of 5:10. She won a coffee table quality book on the Biltmore Estate.

Honorable mention goes to two riders who were overtime, who came from New York, and discovered one of their horses needed a re-do on his footgear, so the ride farrier, Jeff Pauley, shod the horse and they embarked on their ride, only 45 minutes late. But they quite obviously had an excellent ride: Katherine Chajka and Daniel Marshall.

The results summary for the Friday 25-mile ride is here. BC scores for the 25 are here.

Katherine Chajka and Daniel Marshall

Friday 25-Mile Team Results:

For the teams, the times of the fastest three riders out of three or four count. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Colton-Groome Financial Advisors, the Newmans rounded things out with recognition pin-on buttons. Six teams were formed, with two completing the required three of four riders.

Some of the unstated competition is among teams for the best names. The 25-mile ride had Fourth Rock Riders, Horse Hikers, Painted Bar Stables, Ride and Tiers, Turners Torpedoes, and Blazing Saddles. First place team was the Ride and Tiers, with Mark Landers, Courtney Krueger, Christapher Lang, and Carrie Baris who combined for a best-three time of 9:09:00. They won large, low flexible buckets useful for things such as mashed grain slurries, donated by Colton Groome, and the pin-on buttons. Second place team was the Horse Hikers, with riders Tracy Benedict, Dan Hancock, Margie Johnson and Rachel Moran posting a best-three time of 11:01. They won body sponges donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. And, the third place team were the Blazing Saddles, comprised of Mascha Thompson, Michelle Brinton, Hillary Tuttle and Jim Jarosik, who won grooming mitts donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.

Friday 25-mile team results are here.

Friday AERC 50-Mile Results:

52 riders started the 50-mile ride on Friday, with 45 finishing for an 88.5% completion rate. Completion awards were Biltmore Challenge golf towels decorated with laurel leaves sponsored by Biltmore Equestrian Center and New Holland / West Hills Tractor.

In an exciting riders-choice, four folks tied for first to finish: Tom Gower on HK Xpress Avenue; Michelle Hancock on WH Jamilas Heiress (Vanna); TJ Vore on SLF Give 'Em A Lil Loco (G); and Alisa Waxman on AA Aabyra. Their ride time was 6:00:12.

Alisa Waxman on AA Aabyra

Tom Gower on HK Xpress Avenue

Michelle Hancock on WH Jamilas Heiress

TJ Vore on SLF Give 'Em a Lil Loco

The choices for first three finishers actually had four differentiable items that were all put into a grab bag, so among them they split: a large, framed mountain vista donated by Nancy MacDonald, a $50 gift certificate donated by The Endurance Boutique, a gift certificate for Platinum Performance donated by Platinum, and a doser of Hydrate donated by Complete Equine Performance (CEP). This was all OK per ride management: ties are OK for AERC and the ride, but prizes must be organized by the riders when they choose to tie.

First Junior was Kylie Wert on Dude Free Gold

Top ten awards were Biltmore Challenge labeled bottles of wine from Biltmore Winery donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center. Eleventh place and tenth place were tied with Lisa Bykowski on Poetical and Claire Godwin on Sundown Reveille+/ in a ride time of 6:46:11. Between them, they split the bottle of wine and the 11th place award of a $100 gift certificate from Distance Depot.

Three Juniors started and all completed. Top Junior was Kylie Wert on Dude Free Gold in a ride time of 9:23:35. Second Junior was Sophie Cline on Patsy Gowen's PW September Hero+/ in a ride time of 9:34:04. Third place Junior was Mattie Compton on Lollipop in a ride time of 9:41:22. Kylie won a framed portrait from on-trail done by Becky Pearman.

Eight horses stood for Best Conditioned won by Dave Venable on Micah (aka, Ray), receiving a $100 in gift certificates donated by Riding Warehouse. The pair also got high vet score, receiving a embroidered blanket/gear bag the ride's two running horses with riders donated by Ginee Ritter. The BC score was 735 and High Vet Score was 465.

Middle of the Pack award was a full year equestrian pass to the Biltmore Grounds and Gardens, entitling the winner to access to the grounds and trails of the Estate for a year; donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center. That was won by Anna McQuaid on Santee M in a ride time of 8:20:17.

Back of the pack was Charlesey McAllister on Gravy, in a ride time of 10:06:38. She won a coffee table quality book on the Biltmore Estate.

Anna McQuaid got Middle of the Pack on Santee M

The results summary for the Friday 50-mile ride is here. BC scores for the 50 are here.

Friday 50-Mile Team Results:

For the teams, the times of the fastest three riders out of three or four count. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Colton-Groome Financial Advisors, the Newmans rounded things out with recognition pin-on buttons. Six teams were formed. Remarkably, all teams finished the requisite three out of four riders.

Some of the unstated competition is among teams for the best names. The 50-mile ride had 9 Chicks and Rooster Brewer; Blazing Saddles; Mountain Mamas; Mountains to the Sea; One Cripple and the Three; Over 30; Sandlappers, Too; and Sunshine Farms forming full teams. Pick your favorite!

The on-horse team competition was won by the Over 30 team: Tom Gower, TJ Vore, Alisa Waxman, and Lisa Bykowski (nothing like having three members of your team tie for first!), posting a best-three ride time of 18:00:36. They won 5-gallon flexible buckets donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. Second place team was the 9 Chicks and Rooster Brewer, with Clare Summers, Claire Godwin, Verena Stock, and Claude Brewer posting a 21:09:04 combination, and winning low, feed-dish-sized flexible pans also donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.. Third place team was One Cripple and the Three team of Steven Hay, Alayna Hay, Kathy Broaddus, and Lani Newcomb, with a best-three ride time of 23:52:33, winning lead lines donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.

The Sunshine Farms team did not place, but enjoyed their ride, with the Wert group being the core

Friday 50-mile team results are here.

Saturday AERC 30-Mile Results:

35 riders started the 30-mile ride on Saturday, with 31 finishing for an 88.6% completion rate. Completion awards were Biltmore Challenge golf towels decorated with laurel leaves sponsored by Biltmore Equestrian Center and New Holland / West Hills Tractor.

Ranelle Kohut won on Millie Turner's MJC Patriot

First to finish was Ranelle Kohut on Millie Turner's MJC Patriot in a ride time of 3:53, winning a $100 gift certificate donated by Distance Depot. Second place went to Robert Chambless on AJ with a time of 3:54, getting a gift certificate for Platinum Performance donated by Platinum. Third place was Millie Turner on Sunny Afternoon in 4:01, winning a doser of Hydrate donated by Complete Equine Performance (CEP).

Top ten awards were Biltmore Challenge labeled bottles of wine from Biltmore Winery donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center.

One Junior entered the ride and completed: Sophie Cline on Patsy Gowen's PW September Hero+/ in a ride time of 5:49. They won a framed portrait from on-trail done by Becky Pearman.

Sophie Cline on Patsy Gowen's PW September Hero+/ was first Junior

All ten eligible horses stood for Best Conditioned, which was won by Robert Chambless on AJ with a score of 729, receiving a $50 gift certificate donated by Riding Warehouse. High vet score went to Becky Bunnell on her 25-year old BR Jubaleigh (Bailey) with a vet score of 457.5, receiving a embroidered blanket/gear bag the ride's two running horses with riders donated by Ginee Ritter.

Eleventh place was Farzad Faryadi on WR Task Master (Jazz) in a time of 4:38, winning a cantle bag and rider card pack donated by Parry Harness and Tack / Running Bear.

Robert Chambless on AJ got BC

Back of the pack was Chelsea Ross on FGF Escape With Me in a ride time of 6:01. She won a coffee table quality book on the Biltmore Estate.

The results summary for the Saturday 30-mile ride is here. BC scores for the 30 are here.

Saturday 30-Mile Team Results:

For the teams, the times of the fastest three riders out of three or four count. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Colton-Groome Financial Advisors, the Newmans rounded things out with recognition pin-on buttons. Five teams were formed, with all (!) completing the required three of four riders.

Some of the unstated competition is among teams for the best names. The 30-mile ride had Lady Centaurs, Sand Hillers, Scarletts Kids, The 79ers, and We Deliver forming full teams. Pick your favorite!

The on-horse team competition was won by the We Deliver team: Ranelle Kohut, Millie Turner, Patti Carey, and Sandra Peery Norman with a combined ride time of 13:12. Interestingly, three of the four horses were out for their second day of competition. They won large, low, flexible buckets donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. Second place team was Scarletts Kids, with Mike Bostic, Amanda Hutton, Sharon Wellman and Jennifer Dumas posting a 14:21:00 combination, and winning lead lines also donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. Third place team was the Lady Centaurs team of Becky Bunnell, Alaine Slivinski, Jill Gregorieff, and Janice Heltibridle, with a best-three ride time of 14:47:00 winning grooming mitts donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.

Saturday 30-mile team results are here.

Saturday AERC 55-Mile Results:

Karen Isaacs on FYF Forest won, got BC, and HVS

33 riders started the 55-mile ride on Saturday, with 20 finishing for an 60.6% completion rate. Completion awards were Biltmore Challenge golf towels decorated with laurel leaves sponsored by Biltmore Equestrian Center and New Holland / West Hills Tractor.

First to finish was Karen Isaacs on her FYF Forest in a ride time of 7:18:13. They won a framed, matted photo print of the French Broad River in moonlight by Nancy MacDonald and a $50 gift certificate from The Endurance Boutique. Second across the line was Theresa Carroll on Calypsos Fawn in a ride time of 7:41:04, winning a Platinum Performance gift certificate donated by Platinum. Third to finish was Tracy Benedict on Evanessence in 8:32:50, winning a tube of Xcelerate post-ride dosing from Complete Equine Performance.

Top ten awards were Biltmore Challenge labeled bottles of wine from Biltmore Winery donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center.

Two Juniors entered the ride and one completed: Shelby Payne on Dream Catcher Weaver in a ride time of 8:35:12. They won a framed portrait from on-trail done by Becky Pearman.

Seven horses stood for Best Conditioned, which was won by Karen Isaacs on FYF Forest with an impressive score of 760, receiving $100 in gift certificates donated by Riding Warehouse. High vet score went to FYF Forest as well, with a vet score of 470, receiving a embroidered blanket/gear bag the ride's two running horses with riders donated by Ginee Ritter.

Shelby Payne on Dream Catcher Weaver was first Junior

Eleventh place was Megan Grant on Suzanne Solis' Sultaanas Mudir in a time of 9:00:29, winning a hand-held heart monitor donated by Country Aire Farm; and a sponge on a lanyard donated by Parry Harness and Tack / Running Bear.

Back of the pack was a tie between Andrea Kulhawik on Monica Scruggs' Mysts of Avalon+/ and Emily Watson on FC Layal in a ride time of 10:40:00. They won a coffee table quality book on the Biltmore Estate.

The results summary for the Saturday 55-mile ride is here. BC scores for the 55 are here.

Angie McGhee on Aul Sandys Havana got Middle of the Pack

Saturday 55-Mile Team Results:

For the teams, the times of the fastest three riders out of three or four count. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Colton-Groome Financial Advisors, the Newmans rounded things out with recognition pin-on buttons. Five teams were formed, with two completing the required three of four riders.

Some of the unstated competition is among teams for the best names. Which do you think best? Run for the Roses (the Kentucky Derby contends with the Biltmore Challenge as THE EVENT for the first Saturday in May), Horse Hikers, Beach Pie, Fabulous Fillies, and No Rain Please (which has a lot of appeal to ride management).

The on-horse team competition was won by the Run for the Roses team: Theresa Carroll, Melina Efthimiadis, Tricia Watson and Scott Carroll, with a combined ride time of 25:21:18. They won 5-gallon, flexible buckets donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. Second place team was the Horse Hikers team of Tracy Benedict, Uma Kraskin, Pepe Ortega, and Cheryl van Deusen, with a best-three ride time of 26:50:10 winning low flexible feeding dishes donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.

Saturday 55-mile team results are here.

Saturday AERC 75-Mile Results:

23 riders started the 75-mile ride on Saturday, with 18 finishing for an 78.3% completion rate. Completion awards were Biltmore Challenge golf towels decorated with laurel leaves sponsored by Biltmore Equestrian Center and New Holland / West Hills Tractor.

Another tie for first! Between two of Valerie Kanavy's horses, ridden by Young Riders: Alex Shampoe and Meghan Wert, on Cruzin for Gold and Gilted Gold, respectively, in a time of 9:35:31. Between them, they split $200 in gift certificates from The Endurance Boutique, a lovely hand-drawn and fired platter done by Marbie Kollath with the ride logo, and a gift certificate for a tub of Platinum Performance donated by Platinum. Third to finish was again a tie, this time between Cheryl and Stagg Newman's pair of horses Shahkir Al Shaqab ridden by Marbie Kollath and Syrocco Tanka ridden by Clarke Martin in a ride time of 9:53:34. They won a tube of Xcelerate post-ride dosing from Complete Equine Performance.

Alex Shampoe on Valerie Kanavy's Cruzin for Gold and Meghan Wert on Valerie Kanavy's Gilted Gold tied for first in the 75 mile ride

Mattie Compton was first Junior on Throughleap (Jolene)

Two Juniors entered the ride and one completed: Mattie Compton on Throughleap (Jolene) in a ride time of 13:20:10. They won a framed portrait from on-trail done by Becky Pearman. Mattie went through several sponsors to get her completion, starting with her mother; then going to Rachel Land; and finishing with Tim and Lara Worden. Thanks to all you contributed to Mattie's success!

Top ten awards were Biltmore Challenge labeled bottles of wine from Biltmore Winery donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center.

Tim and Lara Worden sponsored Mattie Compton through the final stages of the 75

Mascha Thompson on Christo Dinkelmann's R-Kidd got HVS

Six horses stood for Best Conditioned judging. BC went to Meghan Wert on Valerie Kanavy's Gilted Gold, with a score of 721 receiving a combination of sidepull, reins, breastplate, and running martingale donated by Parry Harness and Tack / Running Bear. High vet score went to Christo Dinkenmann's R-Kidd ridden by Mascha Thompson (ride time of 10:50:10), with a vet score of 460, receiving a embroidered blanket/gear bag the ride's two running horses with riders donated by Ginee Ritter.

Eleventh place was another tie, this time between Verena Stock on King Ali Jet and Susan Wilson on LA Casper in a ride time of 11:53:54. They won a heart-shaped metal trivet with an embedded horseshoe.

Tina Murphy on Son Rais got Middle of the Pack

Back of the pack went to Lara Worden on Yoshi Thinks I'm Fine in a ride time of 13:20:14. They won a coffee table quality book on the Biltmore Estate.

The results summary for the Saturday 75-mile ride is here. BC scores for the 75 are here.

Saturday 75-Mile Team Results:

Second place team members Maggie Houston, Marvin Brangman, Mascha Thompson, and Marcia Weilbach

Some of the unstated competition is among teams for the best names. You decide your favorite among: Christo's and Friend; LT3; Poetry in Motion; Remainder; Unbridled Miles; and Undecided. The core of Undecided went from the 55 to the 75 the day before the ride. Since everyone else had assembled teams, the Remainder were those still not on a team.

First place team was Undecided: Alex Shampoe (who was anything but undecided), Meghan Wert (ditto), Susan Wilson (a switch up), and Gina Hagis (also a switch up), with a combined ride time of 29:18:00. They won large, flexible buckets donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. Second place team was Christo's and Friend team of Marcia Weilbach, Marvin Brangman, Mascha Thompson, and Maggie Houston with a best-three ride time of 32:30:24 winning large, low flexible buckets donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons. Third place team was LT3, comprised of Tina Murphy, Teresa Johnston, Lara Worden and Tim Worden, with a best-three time of 35:22:40. Third place team finish got then rope halters donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.

Saturday 75-mile team results are here.

Saturday AERC 100-Mile Results:

8 riders started the 100-mile ride on Saturday, with 5 finishing for an 62.5% completion rate. Completion awards were Biltmore Challenge golf towels decorated with laurel leaves sponsored by Biltmore Equestrian Center and New Holland / West Hills Tractor.

What looked like a tie for first broke up with a finish line pull, leaving Holly Corcoran on her Lorienn in sole possession of first in a time of 13:04:09, winning $200 in gift certificates from The Endurance Boutique and a lovely hand-drawn and fired platter done by Marbie Kollath with the ride logo. Second place was won by Reine Pagliaro doing her first 100 on DCL Mooi Falco in a time of 14:57:53, winning a gift certificate for a tub of Platinum Performance donated by Platinum. Third place was a tie among the remaining finishers: Mel Blittersdorf on Perseveranze; Alayna Hay of Ivan Groznyi; and Maria Muzzio on Landroval sharing a ride time of 15:10:59. They split the third place and last place awards of a tube of Xcelerate post-ride dosing from Complete Equine Performance and a coffee table quality book on the Biltmore Estate.

Everyone finished top ten and received a bottle of wine from Biltmore Winery donated by Biltmore Equestrian Center.

Four horses stood for Best Conditioned judging. BC (score 737.5) went to Holly Corcoran's Lorienn, winning a native-American-themed turquoise beta bridle and reins donated by Taylored Tack. High vet score also went to Lorienn, with a vet score of 440, receiving a embroidered blanket/gear bag the ride's two running horses with riders donated by Ginee Ritter.

Holly Corcoran on Lorienn won the 100 and got Best Conditioned and High Vet Score

Reine Pagliaro on DCL Mooi Falco was first Young Rider and Middle of the Pack

Reine Pagliaro as a Young Rider was the nearest in the finishing group to a Junior, so received the framed portrait from on-trail done by Becky Pearman.

Middle of the Pack also went to Reine Pagliaro.

The results summary for the Saturday 100-mile ride is here. BC scores for the 100 are here.

Saturday 100-Mile Team Results:

For the teams, the times of the fastest three riders out of three or four count. While the primary sponsor of the team awards was Colton-Groome Financial Advisors, the Newmans rounded things out with recognition pin-on buttons. Two teams were formed, with one completing the required three of four riders.

Some of the unstated competition is among teams for the best names. For the 100-mile ride, Bros and Their Hoes (aka, Whoas or Horses); and Derby Dashers were the team names chosen.

And the Bros and Their Hoes finished the required three. So Alayna Hay, Maria Muzzio, Holly Corcoran, and Kelsey Russell each got an oversized, low flexible tub/bucket donated by Colton Groome and the pin-on buttons.

Saturday 100-mile team results are here.