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Click here to view paper entry AERC Leatherwood Mountain Challenge 2025

Click here for online registration  ERICv2.com/SOLE

The Leatherwood Mountain Challenge 25/50
November 15^th, 2025

AERC/SEERA Sanctioned

Entry Fees: Pre- registration is required since there is limited space. Entries are due no later than

November 1st. Entry Fee covers your meal on Friday night (extra meal tickets $15). A $30 non-refundable deposit is applies to all entries. Add $30 late fee for entries received after November 1^st, 2025

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL STALL, CAMPING & CABIN RESERVATIONS MUST BE RESERVED BY CALLING LEATHERWOOD MOUNTAINS DIRECTLY. 336-973-5044

Camping: $30 per night We offer limited camping sites with power and water hook-ups. These will be Reserved on a first to call basis. No horses will be allowed to spend the night in the campground. If you wish to camp with your horse you will use a designated area with primitive sites each site is $30 & includes space for 1 equine,  $5 for each additional equine. Showers and rest room facilities are available. No fire in primitive area.

Stalls: $30 per night We offer fully equipped 12×12 inside and open air stalls. 1 bag of shaving is provided. If you require large quantities of bedding bring your own or purchase.

Pets: All dogs must be kept on a leash. This is a resort rule.

Cabins: Make it a vacation! Wouldn’t you like to sit in a hot tub after the ride? Luxury rental cabins are available. Check them out on the web at www.LeatherwoodMountains.com  or call 800-4NC-MTNS for more information.

Trail: The trail consists of long climbs on woodsy paths, logging roads, creek crossings, gravel roads and minimal traffic or paved road travel. Horses should be shod and breast collars are recommended. ALL VET CHECKS ARE IN CAMP.

Food: Friday night dinner will be provided for riders at 6:30 PM. Non rider meals are available at $15 per person.  Saturday night dinner will be on your own. Saddlebrook Restaurant will also be serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner & offering ride specials throughout the weekend.

Awards: Completion awards for all riders. Top Ten, BC, and First to Finish awards for the 25&50.

Rules: All AERC / SERA rules apply. Equines must be a minimum of 48 months old to compete in the 25 and 60 months old to compete in the 50. No juniors on stallions. PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR IS REQUIRED.

Water: Well water and creek water is plentiful.

Registration – Noon / Vet-in: Friday at 3pm. Head vet: Duane Barnett DVM. Negative Coggins and AERC card required at check-in.

Directions: 

DO NOT USE GPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Virginia or Charlotte:

From I-77 take exit 73-B Hwy. 421 North towards Wilkesboro. Go approximately 20 miles on Hwy. 421. VERY IMPORTANT!!! Take the Wilkes Community College / Hwy. 268 exit #286 B. Go left at the light and stay on 268 for 15 miles. Take a right on Elk Creek road. Leatherwood is 6 miles out on the right. Take the second Leatherwood entrance.

From Asheville & Tennessee: Go I-40 east until you get to Morganton. Take the Hwy. 64 exit. Take a Left on to 64 and follow the Hwy. 64 east truck route signs around Morganton. Highway 64 turns into 18 north. Follow 18 North through Lenoir. 9 miles outside of Lenoir take a Left on Grandin Road. Stay on Grandin 6 miles until it dead-ends into Hwy. 268. Go right on 268 for 2 miles and then take a left on Elk Creek road. Leatherwood is 6 miles out on the right. Take the

second Leatherwood entrance.

From Atlanta: Take I-85 north to Gastonia NC. Take the Hwy. 321 exit, at the light take a left on Hwy. 321 north. Stay on 321 until you get to Lenoir. In Lenoir take a right on Hwy. 18 north. Go 9 miles and take a left on Grandin road. Stay on Grandin road 6 miles until it dead-ends into hwy. 268. Take a right on 268 and go 2 miles. Take a left on Elk Creek road. Leatherwood is 6 miles on the right. Take the second Leatherwood entrance.

The Leatherwood Mountain Challenge 25/50
November 15, 2025

AERC/SERA Sanctioned

Rider Name______________________________________________*AERC#_____________

Address_____________________________________________________zip________________

Phone(_______)_______________________________________email_________________________

Emergency Phone number and name____________________________________________________

Weight Division________Juniors  DOB______________Sponsor_____________________

Heavyweight Middleweight Lightweight Featherweight Junior

211 & up        186-210          161-185          up to 160

Horse_________________________________________________AERC#______________________

Age_______sex__________Owner_________________________________________ Distance_____

Distance entered  circle one: 25 mil   …$145      

    50 mile …$145 

Entry fee includes rider dinner for Friday:

$___________ Entry fee from above

$___________ Add $20 for non AERC member                                                                                      

$___________ Non rider meals for Friday night (amount needed _______) $15 per night

$___________ Total due (add $30 late fee for entries received after November 1^st, 2025)

$___________ Less deposit. You must send a $30 non refundable deposit per entry now, with the

Balance due at check in

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL STALL, CAMPING & CABIN RESERVATIONS MUST BE RESERVED BY CALLING LEATHERWOOD MOUNTAINS DIRECTLY. 336-973-5044 or online @ www.leatherwoodmountains.com

Any cancellation before will have $30 held for Ride expenses. Add $30 late fee for entries received after November 1^st, 2025

Ride managers: Amanda Johnston 336-667-5351 aevjohnston@gmail.com

Abbie Hanchey 336-973-5044 abbie@leatherwoodmountains.com

Make checks payable to Leatherwood Mountains & mail to Ride Secretary.

Eric Rueter (ride secretary)

11045 Friendsville Road

Lenoir City, TN   37772

RELEASE OF LIABILITY – ASSUMPTION OF RISK

WARNING – UNDER NORTH CAROLINA LAW, AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR OR EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING EXCLUSIVELY FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.  CHAPTER  99 OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES.

I, undersigned. For myself, and members of my family or group including minor children, hearby to release Leatherwood from any and all liability they may incur due to my (our) presence and our horses presence at Leatherwood and/or the use of any of their facilities and/or equipment and/or property including real estate and trails.

I realize and understand and am knowledgeable about the many and various danger and the potentials for accidents, injuries and damages associated with horse and horse facilities. I agree to assume the risk of all these dangers and all matters of liability relating to the horse facilities of Leatherwood including all associated activities. I specifically and totally release Leatherwood forever from such liabilities regardless of how such liability may arise. I agree not to bring any type of claim or legal action against Leatherwood for any such occurrences and to hold Leatherwood harmless from any and all expenses or damages arising therefrom. Further, I agree to use all facilities and/or equipment and/or equipment and/or property including real estate and trails of Leatherwood only in a reasonable and careful manner. I accept full responsibility for all harm or damage that may be caused, if any, to said facilities and/or equipment and/or equipment and/or property including real estate and trails and I shall hold Leatherwood harmless from any and all expenses or damages that may arise from a breach of this Agreement.

As used herein “Leatherwood” shall include Leatherwood Rentals, Inc., Mountain Resource Company (a NC corporation), Leatherwood Home and Land Sales LLC, Horse Trail Rides LLC, Phil & Phil LLC, Leatherwood Mountains Property Owners Association, Snotsteep LLC, Wood Glen Apartments Phase 1 & 2, all owners, managers, agents, employees or anyone affiliated with Leatherwood and/or their activities. As used herein “I” or “Undersigned” shall include my family members, my guests and invitees and my minor children.

Rider signature____________________________________________________Date___________

Parent Guardian ( for junior Rider )___________________________________ Date___________

Horse owner signature_____________________________________________ Date___________

Call to book stalls an