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The Biltmore Endurance Challenge

Every year, more than 900,000 visitors from around the world come to Asheville to experience Biltmore Estate's most well-known attractions, including Biltmore House, the Winery and the Gardens. But there is another impressive wonder at the Biltmore that most never see — the more than 100 miles of trails that wind through the historic 8,000-acre estate. However, each spring, horses and riders from all over the US and several foreign countries experience the estate as few guests ever will, by competing in the 12th annual Biltmore Estate 100 Mile AERC/FEI/AHA Challenge Endurance Race on May 7, 2005. It is the only 100 mile race in North Carolina and one of the few 100 mile rides in the nation sanctioned by FEI/CEI***, the international federation and regulations body governing equestrian sports.

The Biltmore Challenge actually includes four races that run the same day — the 100-mile AERC Open, the 50-mile AERC Open and the Arabian Horse Association 50- and 100-mile National Championships. The courses, laid out by Biltmore Equestrian Center’s Special Events Coordinator and Ride Manager Anne Ayala, take horse/rider teams along the scenic equestrian trails of George Vanderbilt himself enjoyed with his equestrian guests, as carriage trails and for access to his hunting lodge, Buck Spring, at Mt. Pisgah.

The event's 50- and 100-miles race courses wind through the estate's trail system, weaving up and down along the French Broad River and over rolling hills and low mountains, with frequent elevation changes. Trails ascend or descend gradually with no steep drop-offs. Trails are mostly wooded paths, but some of the single-track sections are quite technical. Each of the six loops (three for the 50) circles back, clover-leaf fashion, to a central vetting area at base camp. Weather is somewhat unpredictable, but it is usually humid with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Endurance racing, a cross-country competition of 50 miles or more, is one of the world's fastest growing equestrian sports. Each horse and rider team is given 12 hours to complete a 50-mile ride, 24 hours to complete 100 miles. Despite the sport's competitive nature, the slogan of the American Endurance Ride Conference is "to finish is to win." Every endurance rider's ultimate goal is to complete the competition on a healthy, sound horse. Each race is carefully monitored by stringent veterinarian criteria to ensure each horse’s safety, with mandatory rest periods for the horses throughout the ride. The first horse to cross the finish line within the specified criteria wins.The top ten horses to cross the finish line return to the veterinarians within one hour after their finish to be evaluated for the title “Best Conditioned," the most coveted award of the race.

The Biltmore Endurance Challenge offers local riders an unparalleled opportunity to compete against the best riders in the world and to see "America's Castle" the way few guests ever do. But, you don't have to be an accomplished endurance rider to enjoy these rarely seen views of the estate on horseback. The estate's riding trails are open to guests and passholders year round. Bring your own horses and take advantage of the estate's full-service boarding or temporary stabling services. Take lessons in English and Western riding. Take a guided trail ride or enjoy a carriage ride. No matter which you choose, experiencing Biltmore's "8,000-acre backyard" on horseback is sure to give you a new appreciation for the beauty of one of our nation's most enduring treasures.

Anyone can visit Biltmore Estate. But once you've raced or ridden along the same celebrated trails as the Vanderbilts, you can say you've actually had a taste of life as they lived it.

Daily trail fees are $25.00,and riders can visit one time to experience the trail system. Then they may purchase a year-round equestrian pass for $200.00/adult and $67.00/youth ages 6–16.

For more details or to make reservations, call the Biltmore Estate Equestrian Center at 828-277-4485, from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. For more information, write tpohlmann@biltmore.com or visit www.biltmore.com.

Further Reading: Explore More of Biltmore's "8,000-Acre Backyard"

by Burt Dellinger with Carol Bracewell and Anne Ayala

Comments

- Posted by: Adam at October 18, 2005 10:58 AM

- Posted by: Del Greenwell at January 6, 2006 11:12 AM

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