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Who knew? This week we are the center of the eventing universe.
This week (Aug 31 - September 4) we (Tryon Horse Country) welcome 700 horses and riders to Tryon International Equestrian Center to celebrate the best of the best at all levels of three day eventing. Unlike Rolex, which showcases only the top-of-the-pyramid talent, the American Eventing Championships was created to give all levels, from the beginner kids on ponies to the top international riders, the opportunity to compete with the best. Really, this is mind blowing. Talking with organizers, the high turn out this year reflects not only the new shiny state-of-the-art facility, but also speaks to our location on the eastern seaboard, climate (although that will remain an off-limits topic) and the fact that the Carolinas and Virginia have always had a healthy concentration of eventing enthusiasts. It takes a lot of coordination to successfully pull off an event like this. Fortunately for us, we have fantastic organizers. I spoke to a few on Sunday afternoon, and aside from wanting to shoot themselves, everything was under control. This could absolutely not happen without community support. Dressage has filled 140 volunteer positions, show jumping has filled 80 spots and cross country has a whopping 174 volunteer positions manned. Not too shabby but then again, this is what we do.
If at all possible, please join us this week for the AECs. Cheer for our local folks competing. Cheer for everybody. Welcome competitors and their families /teams when you see them. Tell them you're glad they're here. And remember, we're the lucky ones. We live here.
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This Week
August 29 - September 4
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Our Horses Mean Business
Record Increase in Area Tourism Announced by Governor
Polk Country Ranks #1 in Increased Tourism
"Visit North Carolina" has published the 2015 N.C. visitor spending figures. In the announcement, Gov. Pat McCrory highlighted Polk County as having the largest percent increase in visitor spending in the state. Domestic visitors to and within Polk County spent $26.76 million in 2015, an increase of 11.8 percent from 2014.
Polk County tourism impact highlights for 2015 include:
Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Polk County was $3.92 million, an increase of 16.5% (also the highest percent increase in the state).
State tax revenue generated in Polk County totaled $1.41 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $1.51 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
Polk County's rank by visitor spending (in dollars) increased to 78
th in the state from 80
th.
Each Polk County resident saves $143 in taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state.
These statistics are from the "Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2015," which can be accessed at
partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association. In the study, economic impact is represented by measures of spending, employment, payroll, business receipts, and tax revenues generated by traveler spending. Travel expenditures include spending by travelers on goods and services during their trips, such as lodging, transportation, meals, entertainment, retail shopping.
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This Week: American Eventing Championships Bring 700 Horses, Riders for Top Competition
After months of planning, the American Eventing Championships, one of the premier events on the eventing calendar, arrives in town August 31 through September 4.
The Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover (AEC) is held annually. Competitors from across the country compete for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced levels. The 2016 event will be the first to be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C.
 TIEC rolls out the red carpet for competitors and spectators with pool parties, skeet shooting, competitor parties and a Saturday night concert of headliner entertainers with Sounds of Nashville.
Tryon Horse County's local eateries, lodgings and area attractions will also be giving visiting eventers the Big Welcome.
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Vicky Moon's new book parts the curtains on the stylish life
Everyone and her sister is now writing about "equestrian chic." However, Vicky Moon, the undisputed chronicler of equestrian life, has produced another beautiful book illustrating the upper crust of life with horses through the lens of culture, fashion, art and design and, of course, the beautiful people. Moon, an author and photographer from Middleburg, Virginia, has also written
The Middleburg Mystique,
The Private Passion of Jackie Kennedy Onassis: Portrait of A Rider, and
Equestrian Style. This book is a good, entertaining read and the photographs are rich. Order your copy at the Book Shelf in Tryon or at your own local book seller.
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TIEC to host USEA Town Hall Meeting September 1
The AEC is the location of the next USEA town hall meeting, a series of 11 town hall meetings being hosted around the country this year. The town hall meetings are a continuation of the
Eventing 2016-2026 Summit which was held at the 2015 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention. Those in attendance will be invited to discuss the issues facing the sport and their recommendations on how the USEA can address them. Members of the USEA Board of Governors, USEA staff and local leadership will be present to listen and take notes on the input provided. All town hall meetings will be free and open to all people with a stake in U.S. Eventing.
AEC Town Hall
Tryon International Equestrian Center
Thursday, September 1, 2016 4:30 p.m.
In the Legends Club
The town hall meetings will be structured in such a way that all those present will be given the opportunity to speak in an open and respectful forum. All input will be compiled by the USEA for future consideration and/or implementation.
Topics discussed during the town hall will most likely include:
Eventing Costs
Growing the Number of Eventers
21st Century Sport/Business
Calendar of Events
Education
Amateurs
Safety
Other points that members feel need to be addressed
A report of all the information gathered throughout the year will be given at the
2016 USEA Annual Meeting at Convention in Hollywood, Florida, on December 7-11. The report will also include a status update on the proposals put forward during the Eventing Summit 2016-2026.
Source: USEA
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Cheering on our Home Town Team
Who have we got riding in the American Eventing Championships from Tryon Horse Country?
Beth Perkins riding
Handsome Harry
Will Zuschlag riding
RF Southern Command
Ruth Bley riding
Rodrique DuGranit &
Spartacus D'L' Herbage
Bette Sumrell Mann riding
Chimi Chonga
Rachael Wood riding
Standing Ovation &
Hennesey
Reiss McKinney riding Uptown Funk
Beth Kelly riding Cady O Daly Mistletoe
Carrie Griffin riding Furstpanzer
**apologies to anyone we may have missed.
** pictured above is Rachel Wood riding Standing Ovation at the USPC Eastern Champs
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Ride with Eric Dierks as he christens the new TIEC galloping lanes
Video courtesy of Erik Olsen Pictures
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Slovakia's Samorin Equestrian Centre Enters the Mix as WEG Candidate
The Samorin Equestrian Centre in Samorin, Slovakia has thrown its helmet into the ring of potential venues for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.
Dressage-News reported that the FEI will not re-open the bid process with only two years remaining, but FEI President Ingmar De Vos has been tasked with securing an alternative to Bromont, Canada, which backed out in July, followed by a bid by
Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Samorin in Slovakia is reportedly launching its effort to stage the multi-disciplinary event. While Tryon has solid financial backing, Samorin can rely on its connections with Frank Kemperman and the CHIO Aachen organization to host the show.
The World Equestrian Games stages the seven FEI endorsed equestrian disciplines of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining and vaulting as well as para-dressage.
Samorin is currently hosting the 2016 World Endurance Championships. The Samorin Equestrian Centre is owned by Slovakian businessman and endurance enthusiast Mario Hoffmann.
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New Barn for Tryon Hounds Begins Construction
The Tryon Hounds has broken ground on their new hunt barn. The new barn will be constructed of metal and will feature 3 stalls, feed room, tack room and grooming stall. Tryon Builders has been selected as the contractor and
construction will begin immediately. The club's previous barn was destroyed by fire last year.
"We a certainly blessed to have the community behind our hunt and the overwhelming financial support we received from our members and the community made it possible to rebuild our hunt barn," commented Becky Barnes, President of the Tryon Hounds. "We want to thank all of the generous donors that made this new barn a reality," added Barnes.
Pictured are members of the Tryon Hounds Board of Directors, Masters and members of the Building and Grounds Committee.
The Tryon Hounds is one of the oldest and most prestigious hunts in the southeast and will be kicking off their 90th hunt season on September 10th.
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Jackie Turnbull Horsemanship Clinic at Latigo Farm Sept 27-28
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Beth Blackwell Named Huntsman as Tryon Hounds begins 90th Season
The Tryon Hounds has named Beth Blackwell as their new Huntsman. Beth was previously the Huntsman at the De La Brooke Foxhounds in Maryland.
Beth began her career in mounted foxhunting after spending many years as a professional hunter/jumper rider and trainer.
Beth will be hunting a pack of Bassets on foot as well as the Tryon Hounds American Foxhounds pack. Additionally, she will take over the
day-to- day duties of managing the Tryon Hounds hunting activities.
"We are extremely pleased to have someone as accomplished as Beth join us as the Huntsman for our hunt," said Joint Master Bonnie Lingerfelt. "She will bring many years of experience to our hunt as we start this most historic year celebrating 90 years of riding to the hounds."
The Tryon Hounds is one of the oldest and most prestigious hunts in the southeast. It was established in 1926 by the late Carter Brown and was recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association in 1935. Today, the hunt enjoys an active membership of both riding and social members and continues to follow the long-standing traditions of foxhunting.
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Consider Yourself Invited
Friday Sept. 2nd 7:00 PM
 MacRider Saddlery of Tryon, along with Renovatio Farms, is hosting an evening with Master Saddler Henriette Biekmann of Holland. This is an educational open house beginning at 7:00 PM to discuss the techniques and anatomy of both horse and rider with regards to proper saddle fit. Come visit the MacRider showroom at Renovatio Farm and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Open to all including visitors and competitors at the American Eventing Championships.
Questions? Contact Trayce Doubek-Dierks 864/325-5684
Address: 1820 John Sheehan Rd Tryon, NC, located 1/2 mile from TIEC.
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On the Horizon
3 Carolina Carriage Club Quarterly Meeting
at Cantabria Farms, Columbus, NC
Contact: cantabriafarms@aol.com
3 Tryon Hounds 90th Anniversary Celebration
at FENCE
Contact: Becky Barnes
3-4 Harmon Classics Labor Day Show
at FENCE, Tryon, NC
Contact: Lewis Pack 864-706-8116
7 Equestrian Trail Coalition of WNC
10 FENCE Open Show
at FENCE, Tryon, NC
Contact: Tracie Hanson 828-859-9021
10 Greenville Foothills Pony Club Mounted Meeting
at Riverbend Equestrian Park, Greenville, SC
10 FRC Jumping Fix-A-Round Clinic
at Motlow Creek Equestrian Center
Contact: KC Betzel betzelfarm@hotmail.com
10 WNC Hunter Pace for SE Children's Home
Contact: wchpace.org
10-11 Centered Riding Open Clinic with Sam Morrison
at Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville, NC
13 Partnership with Horses Monthly Meeting
at FENCE, Tryon, NC
15-19 Kim Walness Clinic
at Foster Farm, Spartanburg, SC
Contact: Martha Tiller Foster 864-266-3522
17 Windridge Farm HDT and CT
at Windridge Farm, Mooresboro, NC
17 Hope for Horses Endurance Ride
at Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville, NC
17 Clear View Farm Schooling Show
at Clear View Farm, Landrum, SC
Contact: Jeanne Smith 864-616-0033
21 FRC Monthly Meeting and Educational Seminar
at Landrum Depot, Landrum, SC
21-25 Tryon Fall 1
at Tryon International Eq Center, Mill Spring, NC
22 Concerned Foothills Horsemen March on Wash.
at Washington, DC
Contact: Sara Lyter 828-712-8658
24-25 TR&HC Horse Trials
at FENCE, Tryon, NC
Contact: kathryn@trhc1925.org
25 WNC Hunter Pace and Trail Ride
at Biltmore Equestrian Center, Asheville
27-28 Jackie Turnbull Horsemanship Clinic
at Latigo Farm, Landrum, SC
Contact: Holly Fisher 828-817-0820
28-Oct 2 Tryon Fall 2
at Tryon International Eq Center, Mill Spring, NC
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Ride the TIEC galloping lanes with
Eric Dierks
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MonicaStevensonPhotography.com
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Y
our 2 cents worth
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828-693-0731
FlatRockPlayhouse.org
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Tryon Builders
www.tryonbuilders.net
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864-457-3557
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Movable 72' x 60' Dual Aisle Barn Master/MD Barns modular construction built new in 2004 (similar to Tryon Int. Equestrian Ctr). Steel lined walls & doors. 14 Stalls, 2 aisles, skylights, tack room, feed room, office, full bathroom. (14) 12' x 12' stalls have seamless Promat floor stablecomfort.com. All space can be converted to any need you might have. Dog kennels, storage for vehicles, tractors, etc. To be moved to your location. The Barn + Promat floors + full bath + existing elecrical/plumbing = $49k OBO. Estimated cost to deconstruct/reconstruct this barn is 50-70k. To build the same barn NEW Turn-Key will cost $234,000... HUGE SAVINGS to purchase this used barn vs new.
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Hay Lady!
Timothy, brome, orchard, Kentucky Blue
grass mix now available at
$ 14.00 per bale. There is no second cutting this season.
Please call The Hay, Lady ! with your orders or stop by. Thank you !
828-289-4230
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Horse Show Lodging
Near TIEC
Woodlands Townhouse Apts
Fully furnished 2BD/1.5BA apartments. 1 Qn bed, 1 Full Bed & Sleep Sofa, W/D, satellite TV and WIFI.
Short term or extended stays. Reasonable rates.
Extended stay discounts.
10 min. to TIEC & Green Creek.
30 min. to FENCE, Landrum, Columbus & Lake Lure.
828-221-0661
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Coming to town for a show or other event?
Need more info on Visiting the Foothills?
Click Here.
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Click Here to read issues you may have missed
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All types of equestrian properties.
Exquisite Equestrian Properties
in Tryon Horse Country
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Up Top
 "
"Bruce Davidson Riding Eagle Lion"
Artist: Jean Clagett
The sculpture by Jean Clagett was a gift to the Kentucky Horse Park from George Strawbridge, owner of Eagle Lion, Rolex Watch USA, Patrick and Joan Bergmann, Phelps and Sharon Witter, and many of Bruce's loyal supporters.
Jean Clagett, born in 1945, spent her life with horses of all breeds and disciplines. Her first bronze equestrian sculpture in 1985 was Desert Wine, runner up in the Kentucky Derby. From there she has done horses of all breeds for clients and is in collections around the world, and specializes in doing specific horses and riders.
She has her studio and shop at home on a horse farm with her own retired Thoroughbred mare that raced in France, a Paint pleasure gelding, and a Connemara Pony mare which she rides and drives. She can be contacted at her studio at jeanclagett13@gmail.com.
All art is protected by copyright laws.
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