Invitations to the Tryon Fall Classic Championships Coming Soon!

Johns Island, SC - To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Fall Classic in Tryon, NC, Classic Company will be mailing much coveted invitations on August 28th for the newly conceived 2010 Tri State Equitation Finals.
Held at the Foothills Equestrian Center, this year’s Fall Classic will run September 24-26th. Created two decades ago by Bob Bell and Carol Kent, the Fall Classic is one of the earlier USEF A rated horse shows started in the tri state area, “It seems like just yesterday!” a sentimental Bell laughed, “Both Carol [Kent- also of Classic Company] and I remember when there were not that many equitation classes and the age group equitation was very important at our A rated events. We feel that while many riders are not traveling and spending as much money as they did in the past, we should still recognize their excellence at our Fall show in Tryon.” Reviving a lost tradition serves a double purpose for Bell, “We’re also targeting the top equitation riders in the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia regions who will move forward, to provide them an opportunity to tune up before the national eq finals- Washington International, Harrisburg, and the ASPCA Maclay. We want to afford every chance for these kids to do well.”

As to which age groups are eligible for this new championship, that would be all 11 and under, the 12-14, and the 15-17 equitation riders that are members of the North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia Hunter Jumper Associations.  Riders can qualify by being in the top 15 equitation rankings for any of the above associations and age groupings as of September 1, 2010. Those individuals will compete on Friday afternoon before a panel of judges who will score them numerically with the top 6 riders from each age section returning on Saturday morning to compete for the Championship title.

And the best part for parents is the lack of entry fees required, as in none! Bell said, “We just want to reward the hard work and achievement of these young riders. They have the talent to compete at Indoors, but given this tough economic time some may not be able to attend, and we believe they should still get their due recognition. For those riders who will be moving on to the big equitation finals this fall, we see this event as a chance to prep and for us to give them our support.”

Awards will include a Silver Loving Cup and special embroidered dress sheet presented to the winner and ribbons for first through sixth places. Further spotlighting of these victors will be their inclusion in a congratulatory ad run in The Chronicle of the Horse coupled with a special press release from Flashpoint Media Services highlighting the winners and their mounts.  

Completing the fall weekend escape for exhibitors on Sunday will be the annual farewell luncheon held at noon. Everyone is invited to gather hillside of the main hunter ring as the Classic Company staff dishes out some delicious BBQ with all the trimmings. “No one leaves this event hungry! We’ll feed them well, pack’em up for the road, and send them off with our best wishes!” Bell said.

To learn more about the Tryon Fall Classic please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the office at 843.768.5503.

Photo: Sarah Owen & Bookmaker ©Flashpoint Photography