The Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring is famous not just across the state, but throughout the world for its beautiful facility in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The TIEC has to an impressive schedule that features:
• The Historic Steeplechase of the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club — the oldest in the state
• Hunter/Jumper Competitions
• Weekly Saturday Night Lights — combining an equestrian show jumping competition with a family-friendly evening under the lights
• World Equestrian Games (WEG) Vaulting Test Event
• WEG Endurance Test Event
• WEG Dressage and Para Dressage Test Event
• The Fork at TIEC and WEG Eventing Test Event
• Carolina Classic at TIEC & WEG Reining Test Event
Now, for the first time ever, the equestrian center will host the international Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games in September. Started in 1990 and held every four years, the games have become a keystone event for all equestrian fans and competitors from around the world. The FEI WEG includes eight World Championship disciplines at one event:
1. Jumping
2. Dressage
3. Para-Equestrian Dressage
4. Eventing
5. Driving
6. Endurance
7. Vaulting
8. Reining
Big News for Hendersonville and Asheville NC Too
The FEI World Equestrian Games is a bonafide Big Deal — and this is only the second time it’s been in the United States. Since its inaugural event in Stockholm, Sweden, it’s been held in such world-class cities as:
• The Hague, The Netherlands
• Rome, Italy
• Normandy, France
• Lexington, Kentucky
• Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
• Aachen, Germany
It’s estimated that the games will draw more than half a million equestrian enthusiasts from more than 70 countries to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because they’ll need places to stay, eat and explore, the economic impact, estimated to reach more than $400 million, will spread across the region like a horse blanket. Hendersonville is likely to see an influx in equestrian tourists, and Asheville NC will benefit as visitors plan day trips to see what the region has to offer.
Providing Horse Care for Champions
While the TIEC has 1,200 permanent stables on-site, the world games are likely to put enormous demands on the facility. Equestrian care for competing horses requires high-quality barns, such as those provided by Carolina Storage Solutions of Hendersonville, which offers prefabricated horse barns that stand up to any demands. These prefabricated horse barns have been serving local horse owners, farmers and ranchers for 10 years.
So, even as Tryon is doing its part to shine a worldwide spotlight on Western North Carolina, WNC is home to the Southeast’s largest dealer in modular and prefabricated horse barns: Carolina Storage Solutions.
Even champion horses need a place to stay, and prefabricated horse barns offer beautiful yet sturdy options for equestrian care. Local Hendersonville and Asheville NC horse owners love their horses as much as the owners of those champion steeds.
Be Prepared … for Excitement
The TIEC is going to be the place to be from September 11 to September 23, 2018. All equestrian fans — riders, spectators, even those involved in equestrian care — will get to see champion-caliber horses show off their skills and training. It may be a once-in-a-lifetime event for locals.
So plan to get all your own horse-care out of the way in time to attend. It’s not far from Hendersonville or even Asheville NC. Whether you have 19th century barns or brand new prefabricated horse barns from Carolina Storage Solutions, start planning to be prepared when the games arrive. You’ll be glad you did.