Tag Archives: Tryon International Equestrian Center

Kent Farrington and Gazelle Race to Victory in $35k FEI 1.50m Suncast Welcome at Tryon

Kent Farrington and Gazelle. Photo Credit: ©SharonPackerPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – May 5, 2016 – In his first appearance at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), Kent Farrington (USA) piloted Gazelle to a win in the $35,000 FEI 1.50m Suncast® Welcome, finishing the class in 43.76 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper crossed through the timers in 47.387 seconds for second place, while Alise Oken (USA) and Hitchcock VD Broekkant collected third place with a time of 47.387 seconds. Major FEI competition continues at the venue with the $130,000 Asheville Regional Airport CSI 3* Grand Prix on Saturday, May 7, at 7:00 p.m.

Farrington, who currently sits in sixth on the FEI World Ranking list, took an efficient and educational approach to the track with Gazelle, capitalizing on opportunities to further the training of the 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Diva ‘Ter Elsen’) as well as improve their communication throughout the course. Manuel Esparza (MEX) designed Thursday’s course in the George Morris Arena, which saw ten combinations move forward to the jump-off round, while six pairs secured a double clear effort on the afternoon.

“Manuel Esparza is an experienced designer and I’ve jumped his courses before in Calgary. They’re always designed very well. I think it was a great class measuring this for the welcome today,” commented Farrington.

Gazelle’s scope and carefulness helped the pair around the short course, in which they finished nearly four seconds faster than second place finisher Wordley. Farrington has carefully built up the mare’s confidence and focused on sharpening her turning ability in the ring.

“This is actually a horse that I showed in a few grand prix classes throughout this season and in the jump-off her turning is a little bit of her weakness,” he explained. “I think we’ve given up some good classes, so we’re focusing on making her training better through those turns. My goal for the jump-off was to really work on her weaknesses and work on my short turns to the jumps.”

As one of the younger horses in Farrington’s internationally renowned string, Gazelle has gained valuable experience this past season, contesting several of the major grand prix classes at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), including a win in the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Jumper Classic in late March.

“She had a good circuit this past winter and we’re still fine tuning some of her training,” he noted. “When we finish here, she’ll go to Calgary to do some of the larger classes there.”

Thursday’s win marked Farrington’s first competition experience at TIEC and he was pleasantly surprised with the vastness of the facility, as well as the major investment the Tryon Equestrian Partners have made to expand the reach of equestrian sport.

“I’ve never been here before and you can see that they’ve put a lot of money into the facility, which caught me by surprise, just that everything is new. It’s very clear that there was a major effort here and a lot of funds have been put behind this facility to support it. It’s very impressive,” said Farrington.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828) 863-1000 for more information.

Kristen Vanderveen Wins $35k FEI 1.45m Horseware Ireland Speed Stake at Tryon

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Photo Credit: ©SharonPackerPhotography.

Mill Spring, NC – May 4, 2016 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili were unbeatable in the first FEI class of the season at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), as the duo picked up their first major win at the venue since last year, finishing the $35,000 FEI 1.45m Horseware Ireland Speed Stake with a time of 66.25 seconds. Samuel Parot (CHI) piloted both of his mounts to a top three finish, earning second place aboard Couscous van Orti, crossing through the timers in 67.34 seconds, while collecting third on Atlantis, who finished just off the pace in 67.42 seconds. Tryon Spring 3 continues tomorrow with the $35,000 FEI 1.50m Suncast® Open Welcome.

Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, owned by Bull Run Jumpers Five LLC, rode a strong and tidy round, which suited the 2005 Belgian Warmblood stallion (Berlin x Bijou van de Vijfheide), as there were several long stretches of gallop track and two key left hand turns. The course, designed by Hector Loyola (PRI), saw 13 clear trips, while just over a second separated first place from third.

“I was super excited when I walked this course because there was so much open galloping space. There was only one related line and this stallion just has a massive step,” she said. “He’s deceptively fast and those hard turns, which you think he wouldn’t be agile with, he is. To that left side, he just flies off the turn and the two places on course today with tight turns were to the left.”

“He stepped in there and felt comfortable with what I was asking of him. He has that big rangey stride and this course was made for him. We changed his bridle this past winter and he’s going in a very plain snaffle. We’ve built a great partnership and I understand him more. We think of each other a little bit differently now and we’re finally working as a team,” noted Vanderveen, elaborating on the progress the duo made this past winter at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

The pair made their career debut together last season at TIEC and captured several top place finishes at the venue before focusing on their consistency and accuracy during the winter circuit, in which they also amassed solid finishes.

“This was his first class out since WEF 10. He’s had a bit of time off and a good vacation because he showed all the way through the circuit. I wasn’t sure if starting right away in the 1.45m was going to be a little bit too much, but apparently not,” she smiled.

In an effort to strengthen their growing partnership, Vanderveen felt the class gave her an opportunity to test Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili, as the pair has not contested many speed classes together. She explained, “Actually, it was great I got to do a speed. I haven’t had a real chance to practice a lot of speed classes or jump-off rounds, so I would love to see that keep developing. He’s a very fast horse; I just need to figure out how to push all of the right buttons.”

Competition at TIEC continues with Tryon Spring 3, hosting the $35,000 FEI 1.50m Suncast® Welcome Stake Thursday, May 5, and the first “Saturday Night Lights” event of the season, on Saturday, May 7, with the $130,000 FEI Asheville Regional Airport Grand Prix CSI 3* beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828) 863-1000 for more information.

The Fork International CIC */**/*** & Horse Trials Moves to Tryon in 2017

Mill Spring, NC – May 3, 2016 – Jim and Bernadette Cogdell of The Fork International CIC */**/*** & Horse Trials announce the relocation of the event to the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, NC, in 2017. One of the most prestigious Eventing competitions on the North American calendar, the Cogdells have made the decision to move locations in order to ensure that the popular event will continue at the same high level.

Jim Cogdell stated, “We have proudly hosted The Fork Horse Trials for 15 years, and it has grown into one of the premier horse trials in the United States. We are very proud of what we have created in North Carolina. It has taken a great deal of time, effort, passion, and funding to create this event, and it is now time for the next chapter in this competition’s history. We believe that moving the location of this event to the TIEC will secure its future and elevate the level of competition while enhancing the fan experience.”

While not straying from its home state of North Carolina, The Fork will take advantage of the spectacular new facility at TIEC in order to maintain a top quality event with top-of-the-line footing, a spectator-friendly venue, a stadium to showcase dressage and jumping, and one of the most hotly anticipated cross-country courses in North America.

“We are proud to partner with Mark and Katherine Bellissimo and the team at the TIEC to produce this event,” Cogdell said. “We believe this partnership will help the event to thrive and provide a quality final outing leading up to ‘Rolex,’ which is so important to the success of our four-star competitors. We want the legacy to continue and keep the event moving forward with The Fork at TIEC.”

As the final big run before the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****, The Fork will continue to feature some of the biggest names in the sport of Eventing as they prepare for Kentucky.

Mark Bellissimo of Tryon Equestrian Partners stated, “The Eventing community has seen the Cogdells’ vision and leadership create a very special competition at The Fork. It is one of the finest events in the country, and we look forward to hosting it at TIEC. We are also very pleased to announce that Jim will remain the Chairman of The Fork at TIEC.”

The change of venue/location has received provisional approval from the USEF Eventing Committee. As is standard policy, the move is contingent on a site inspection and cross-country course approval.

TIEC, already host to the 2016 American Eventing Championships, will offer a full range of competition for The Fork in 2017.

For more information on The Fork, please visit www.forkstables.com.

Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) has quickly become an international hub for many of the world’s top equestrian athletes. It welcomes guests 365 days a year to watch, dine, shop, and experience one of the premier riding facilities in the world built for the love of horses and equestrian sport. For more information, visit www.tryon.com.

TIEC to Partner with US Pony Clubs to Bring Championships East to North Carolina in July

Photo: ©UnitedStatesPonyClubs.

Mill Spring, NC – February 1, 2016 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is proud to announce the initiation of a major partnership between the venue and The United States Pony Clubs Inc. that will bring the 2016 Pony Club (USPC) Championships East to the expanding equestrian center for the first time ever in July 2016. The USPC Championships East will begin on Wednesday, July 27, and conclude on Sunday, July 31, as multiple disciplines will be showcased throughout the week, including dressage, eventing, show jumping, polocross, quiz, tetrathlon and mounted games.

The United States Pony Clubs, a staple in the educational foundation for many young riders in the U.S., was established in 1954 to guide younger generations of equestrians through the basic concepts of English riding and horsemanship. The goal of USPC has remained the same since its inception nearly six decades ago, to promote sportsmanship, stewardship and leadership through horsemanship.

The newly minted initiative between The United States Pony Clubs and Tryon International Equestrian Center will conjoin a wealth of resources and knowledge, as management teams of both operations hope to inspire a greater interest in horse sport through their combined efforts.

“Each year hundreds of Pony Club Members from across the nation qualify to compete at USPC Championships. Providing these members an opportunity to compete and showcase their equestrian sports and horsemanship skills at a world-class equestrian venue is exciting,” said Teresa Woods, Executive Director of United States Pony Clubs, Inc. “USPC and Tryon International Equestrian Center share the goals of creating a championship level competition and a special experience for all competitors, their families and the volunteers at Championship East.”

The United States Pony Clubs provides a nation-wide outlet for individuals interested in riding, regardless of background and previous equestrian experience, offering a range of age groups access to a wide variety of disciplines and educational resources.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to host the 2016 United States Pony Club Championship East at TIEC. In a world where participation in equestrian sport has been stagnant in most disciplines over the last 10 years, we are inspired and motivated by the opportunity to work with US Pony Clubs management to create innovative ways to enhance interest and increase access to one of the most important gateways into equestrian sport, Pony Clubs,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners. “Through the construction of this facility, we have built a family oriented platform, which we believe can cultivate an increased interest in equestrian sport based on the connection between these magical animals and their riders.”

With more than 1,000 participants, contestants, and volunteers anticipated to travel to TIEC in late July for the event, the venue will prepare to host families, competitors, and their equine partners for an action-packed week of fun, open and free to the general public. TIEC boasts seven barns with permanent stabling, 10 large arenas outfitted with world-class footing, as well as a newly added grass derby field, and Beginner Novice through Advanced level cross country course.

Competitors will take to the famed George H. Morris Arena at TIEC for the USPC Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, July 28, as well as for mounted games competition on the evening of Saturday, July 30, underneath the lights in an electrifying atmosphere.

“We are honored to be working with The United States Pony Clubs and are eager to expand opportunities and awareness for their organization and longstanding mission to empower young equestrians with leadership and horsemanship skills,” said Sharon Decker, Chief Operating Officer, Carolinas Operations, Tryon Equestrian Partners. “The Foothills region of North Carolina is the perfect setting for a championship event of this stature and we look forward to engaging and involving the local community as we prepare the facility.”

Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) and Tryon Resort offer an array of family-friendly opportunities and activities in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, also providing numerous on-site lodging and dining options for a conveniently located stay. If interested in booking lodging for the event, please contact lodging@tryon.com for more information regarding weekly rates for the duration of the event.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center & Tryon Resort

The Tryon International Equestrian Center and Tryon Resort are destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 1200 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a resort hotel, condo and apartment buildings, mixed use retail space, sports complex, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts and a year-round destination for non-equestrian visitors, offering an array of fine-dining selections and family entertainment. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

About Pony Club

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (Pony Club) was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. There are approximately 9,000 Pony Club members in over 600 clubs and riding centers throughout the country. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including several of our Olympic team members, business professionals, government leaders and career military officers, have roots in Pony Club. Youth members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. Pony Club also offers educational opportunities to a growing number of adults through Horsemasters membership. Please visit ponyclub.org for more information.

Fall “Saturday Night Lights” Series Kicks Off September 19 at Tryon International Equestrian Center

An aerial view of TIEC during the Grand Opening Ceremonies on June 6, 2015 ©ErikOlsen.

Save the date for family fun, first-class equestrian competition, live music, and theme-park adventure at Tryon International Equestrian Center this September and October

Mill Spring, NC – September 14, 2015 – After a stellar summer series showcasing the talents of Olympic level riders, legendary performers, craft beer festivals, a shag dance off and even a classic car show, Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is launching its fall “Saturday Night Lights” event series to complement the grand prix competitions from Saturday, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Oct. 24. From carnival-style entertainment to Carolina-inspired festivals, TIEC is Western North Carolina’s hub for premier family entertainment. Even better are the free activities offered as part of TIEC’s “Saturday Night Lights” such as face painting, airbrush tattoos, busker performances, and rides on a hand-painted Venetian carousel. TIEC admission and parking are free. Event gates will open at 5 p.m. and competition begins at 7 p.m.

Click here to watch the TIEC Grand Opening video featuring the Special Forces Associates Parachute Team.

Food and restaurant options are as varied and bountiful at TIEC as the entertainment. Choose between Roger’s Diner, a 50s-inspired diner serving up burgers, shakes, salads, breakfast all day and more, or Legends Grille delivering a first-class dining experience and gourmet menu items prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Both Roger’s Diner and Legends Grille are open year round to the public. During competition weeks, visit one of the many other onsite restaurants offering sushi, summer treats, coffee, or a vendor cart on grand prix nights selling carnival favorites like lemonade, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream.

Each “Saturday Night Lights” evening culminates with a sponsored grand prix competition held under the stadium lights in the George Morris International Arena.

Please “Like” Tryon International Equestrian Center on Facebook to get the latest news updates and events happening around the venue!

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

Eight Total FEI Competitions Approved for Tryon International Equestrian Center

Photo Credit: Liz Crawley Photography.

Tryon, NC – April 22, 2015 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is proud to announce the addition of six FEI sanctioned competition dates to the 2015 TIEC schedule, bringing the total number of FEI competitions to eight dates throughout the year. Offering equestrian competitors an array of opportunities to compete at the highest levels of the sport, exhibitors can enjoy a world-class venue throughout the year at TIEC.

“The goal in offering these lower cost FEI competitions is to bring greater access of these classes to riders in the United States,” said Mark Bellissimo of Tryon Equestrian Partners. “We want to promote great competition and allow riders that compete here to gain valuable ranking points while staying in the United States.”

The Tryon Spring 7 CSI 3* (May 27-31) and Tryon Spring 8 CSI 4* (June 3-7) are now accepting entries through the FEI online entry system. Both shows, which will run back-to-back weeks at TIEC, conclude the 2015 Tryon Spring Series before the beginning of the highly anticipated Tryon Summer Series on June 24.

TIEC will continue to bring competitors in North America opportunities to pursue the highest levels of international competition with several additional FEI dates immersed throughout the calendar year. Tryon Summer 1 (June 24-28) and Tryon Summer 2 (July 1-5) will offer CSI 3* competition while Tryon Summer 3 will highlight the entirety of the summer series, offering CSI 4* competition (July 8-12). Tryon Summer 4 (July 15-19) has also received FEI approval and will provide CSI 3* classes to competitors.

“We wanted to help create a stronger path for Americans to compete in this country and build a stronger pipeline for riders here,” said show organizer Michael Stone. “We believe the accessibility of the Tryon horse shows will help achieve those goals. In addition we will have a full program of Under 25 classes that we believe are essential to the growth of the sport.”

The Under 25 Grand Prix classes will be available each week during the Tryon Summer Series, with classes during Tryon Summer 3 held under FEI guidelines and featuring a Welcome class and a Grand Prix.

Two additional CSI 3* competition dates have been added to the Tryon Fall Series and will be hosted at Tryon Fall 5 (Oct 14-18) and Tryon Fall 6 (Oct 21-25).

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become recognized as one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, and a covered riding facility. Future expansion includes a Sports Complex, two hotels, an 18-hole golf course and a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a summer haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.tryon.com.

International Arena at Tryon International Equestrian Center Dedicated to George H. Morris

Katherine Bellissimo, Mark Bellissimo, George Morris, and Roger Smith at the dedication ceremony.

Four other equestrian families were also honored: the Reynolds Family, Gordon Wright, Jarrett Schmid, and Carter P. Brown.

Tryon, N.C. (October 7, 2014) – Legendary horseman George H. Morris was honored on Saturday with the dedication of the main International Arena at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The dedication occurred prior to Amanda Flint’s victory in the $100,000 Salamander Resort and Spa Grand Prix at TIEC in Tryon, North Carolina.

Chris Kappler, Gold and Silver medalist from the 2004 Athens Olympics, introduced the ring dedication to George Morris, commenting, “There are thousands of reasons as to why I consider George to be the greatest horseman in the world, but the most important is his incredible understanding and fantastic respect for the horse. That is why George is particularly proud to be dedicated to this ring because that is what this facility is going to represent: the ultimate understanding and respect for the horse. So much thought has gone into all of this. It is going to be the facility of the future and I think you will see many world championships and other fantastic international events here.” George Morris commented during the dedication of the International Ring: “I can tell you, this is world class. Due to my age, I have been to every horse show in the world and I can compare this to the great horse shows of Europe and Calgary; this is of that class, and will only get better and better.”

Click on the following link to view the dedication of the George H. Morris International Arena: http://bit.ly/1yIEfZm.

Finally, a hand painted Venetian Carousel was installed in the public plaza at the spectator entrance where hundreds of children took turns riding the carousel. Mark Bellissimo added, “The carousel is dedicated to the children of the community who may get their first opportunity to experience the beauty and majesty of the horse whether the experience is a memorable ride on a carousel or their first ride on their way to Olympic level competition. Every dream begins somewhere.” The first carousel rider was Rebecca Lawlor, daughter of Fate Lawlor, one of the Project Managers for Clary Hood who was instrumental in the construction of the facility. She was joined on the carousel by the legendary George Morris.

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About Tryon International Equestrian Center

Owned and managed by Tryon Equestrian Partners, whose partners include Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Roger and Jennifer Smith, Lisa Lourie, Jenji and Diana Mercer, Howard and Gwen Dvorkin, and Joe and Cindy Mitchell. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is part of the new Tryon Resort which is only an hour west of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and 40 minutes from the highly acclaimed Cities of Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC. The equestrian facility includes five riding arenas with world-class footing and 500 permanent stables. When fully completed, the equestrian facility will feature up to 10 riding arenas (including one with stadium seating for 6,000), 1,000 permanent stalls, elevated and shaded viewing decks, a large covered riding facility and the Tryon Sports Complex. For more information, visit www.TryonHorseShows.com.

Tryon Resort | | info@tryonhorseshows.com | http://www.tryonhorseshows.com
4066 Pea Ridge Road
Mill Spring, NC 28756

Amanda Flint Wins Salamander Resort & Spa Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center

Meghan Goddard, Amanda Flint, Sheila Johnson, Mark Bellissimo, and Prem Devadas of Salamander Resort and Hotel make the winner’s presentation.

Tryon, N.C. (October 6, 2014) – Amanda Flint of Long Valley, NJ won the $100,000 Salamander Resort and Spa Grand Prix in the newly dedicated George H. Morris International Arena at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Tryon, North Carolina.

Amanda Flint and Chester VDL, a KWPN 7 year old gelding by Silverstone VDL, proved victorious over the 37 horse rider combinations that competed over the Anthony D’Ambrosia designed course. Over 4,000 spectators watched 12 riders return for the exciting jump off with the top 5 placing riders within one second of each other. The last rider on the course was Brian Walker and Tamara 296 and his time of 35.37 couldn’t catch Flint’s winning time of 35.034. Sarah Segal and Ubris came in third with a time of 35.938. Watch the live stream of the Grand Prix at http://bit.ly/1EmO8wi.

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Candice King riding Bellissimo LLC's Kismet 50 was the first rider on course and the first clear round for the inaugural Grand Prix
Candice King riding Bellissimo LLC’s Kismet 50

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

Owned and managed by Tryon Equestrian Partners, whose partners include Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Roger and Jennifer Smith, Lisa Lourie, Jenji and Diana Mercer, Howard and Gwen Dvorkin, and Joe and Cindy Mitchell. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is part of the new Tryon Resort which is only an hour west of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and 40 minutes from the highly acclaimed Cities of Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC. The equestrian facility includes five riding arenas with world-class footing and 500 permanent stables. When fully completed, the equestrian facility will feature up to 10 riding arenas (including one with stadium seating for 6,000), 1,000 permanent stalls, elevated and shaded viewing decks, a large covered riding facility and the Tryon Sports Complex. For more information, visit www.TryonHorseShows.com.

Tryon Resort | | info@tryonhorseshows.com | http://www.tryonhorseshows.com
4066 Pea Ridge Road
Mill Spring, NC 28756