Troy Ball is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in business.   She currently is a licensed Texas Real Estate Broker and develops residential property in Western North Carolina with her husband, Charlie Ball.  Their current development Whisper Mountain is home of the 2008 Southern Living Green Idea Home and the 2009 Southern Living Giveaway cottage, Whisper Creek.

Troy is a life-long equestrian with major accomplishments in multiple sports, including an Arabian show world triple play of Championships in Show Hack across the top three Arabian shows in 2003.  In this same time frame, she won a Supreme Rider of Excellence award from the Arabian Horse Association. 

Then she discovered endurance.....

Selected accomplishments:

In Troy's words:
I've been a life-long equestrian, and student of many equestrian disciplines.   As a child I showed hunters and jumpers and while in college was a founding member of the University Polo Team.

From a young age I was a perfectionist or tried to be while in the show ring.   After riding reining horses and cutting horses successfully, I finally met a lifelong goal of winning a National Championship.   In 2002 I showed a Half Arabian, Final Descision, and won the US and Canadian National Championships in Show Hack.   In the Spring of 2003, I also won the coveted Scottsdale Championship, making it a clean sweep of the top three Arabian shows.  During these years I earned a Supreme Rider of Excellence award from the Arabian Horse Association, plus numerous Top Ten's in Hunter and Side Saddle.

After moving to Asheville in 2003, I met Stagg and Cheryl Newman and was introduced to the sport of Endurance. In 2006, I rode in my first endurance ride, a 50 at Biltmore. Probably not the best ride to start with, but riding my new horse with a strong ride history, WMA Rattler, I finished top
ten in my weight division.   My second ride in 2006 was in Vermont 50 and I tied 2nd, riding with Bob Geilan.   I finished second in my third 50-mile ride in Maine.

Then I attempted my first 100:  riding at the Canadian National
Championship.  Because I am a property owner in Canada and was spending half my time at our residence in St. Andrews, I was asked to ride with the Atlantic Cananda Team. Much to my surprise we won the team gold medal, and "Willie" and I were the first Canadian team members to finish.   I knew that I had a lot to learn but by being willing to learn from the best, asking the right questions from the right people, and
being willing to pay my dues, I could become competitive.

APEX is the realization of my desire to bring together the best in the industry, to teach those of us that are willing to learn. I feel grateful that we were able to join together a talented and dedicated board to launch APEX.   It is inspiring to hear the feedback from clinics and the success stories from APEX members.

In addition to my love of endurance, at Whisper Mountain, I plan marketing campaigns largely internet based, and develop community events.   I just wrote and designed a Field Guide to Whisper Mountain which can be seen at www.whispermountainnc.com.

I am proud to be a founding member of Thoughtful House Center for children and participates on the Executive Committee of the Board.  Thoughtful House serves over 2000 children with autism and spectrum disorders.   Thoughtful House is a leading treatment and medical research center, serving children from around the world.

Also, I recently served on the advisory board of the Huntsman Marine Science Center in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.   The Huntsman is a marine science research and educational center. The largest collection in the world of marine life can be found at the Huntsman.

My commitment to research can be seen through the organizations that I have helped to found or am currently a member of the board.   I has recently joined
the national board of Patient Privacy Rights and have been asked to sit on the board of the Western North Carolina Executive Mansion.   This board oversees and manages the western residence of the Governor of North Carolina.

Recent Endurance Rides

• 2008:  Fifth at FITS FEI 100 on WMA Rattler
• 2007:  Second at Big South Fork 55 on WMA Rattler
• 2007:  Third and BC at Sand Hills 55 on WMA Rattler
• 2006:  Sixth at Northwinds Challenge FEI 100 on WMA Rattler;  first to finish on Gold Medal Team
• 2006:  Second and BC at Hot Toddy 50 on WMA Rattler
• 2006:  Second at Vermont 50 on WMA Rattler

(Photo courtesy of Genie Stewart-Spears)