©MegBanks/TIEC.
Mill Spring, NC – June 25, 2016 – The inaugural Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas (GCCC) will highlight the first week of the Tryon Summer Series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Friday, July 1, showcasing the talents of both professional and amateur competitors as they ride to raise money for local charities in the Carolina Foothills region. The super hero theme for the 2016 event will serve to honor and recognize the heroes in the local community for their dedication and commitment to philanthropic work.
The Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas (GCCC) is a charity-fueled competition, which comes to life in the form of a relay race, pairing teams of two equestrian competitors to selected charities operating in the local community. Teams will race through a jumper relay course with tracks set at two different heights, 1.15m and 1.30m, in the George H. Morris Arena at TIEC under the lights. Competition on Friday, July 1 will begin at 7:00 p.m. with festivities and entertainment beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Each of the 26 teams will race to finish the relay track in the fastest time, while $300,000 will be raised throughout the evening. Each charity paired with a team will receive a minimum of a $5,000 donation, while the winner will hoist a check for $75,000 at the end of the competition. 100% of the proceeds raised throughout the evening will be distributed to participating non-profit organizations.
The Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas is the sister event to the Great Charity Challenge (GCC) hosted at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL each winter, which was conceptualized by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige Bellissimo in an effort to give back to those in need in Palm Beach County. The event, which began in 2010, has distributed more than $9 million to more than 150 charities across Palm Beach County.
Currently teams of two or individuals wishing to be paired with a team through the submission of a donation can still register for the event. Finalized teams will be announced this week. For more information regarding team sign up, please contact gcc@tryon.com and for more information about the Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas, please visit www.tryon.com. If interested in becoming a team sponsor for the event, please contact gcc@tryon.com to learn more. Donations made in honor of the event are tax-deductible.