Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) May 25 th , 2012- Aiken, SC- After a full week of competition and record attendance at the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show there is no down time for the staff at Aiken, SC based Equus Events.  The 2012 Tryon Summer Classic to benefit the Tryon Hounds is just under a week away and preparations are already underway for the event which takes place May 31-June 3 at beautiful FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center).   FENCE is an over 380 acre nature, education, and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are many activities in the area including numerous shops and antique stores as well as adventures whitewater rafting on the Green River.  This year’s show will again benefit the Tryon Hounds.  www.tryonhounds.com .  This event encompasses the days of old with a rich tradition but also attracts some of the top riders and trainers in the southeast.  Many will be competing for some of the numerous Grand Champion and perpetual trophies. Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Some of last year’s winners included; *Hoffman Van Wieren Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter- Goodman owned by Katherine Coster and ridden by Bruce Christison *Federick B Farwell Grand Champion Amateur Owner- Good Thing and Carol O’brien *The Fox Creek Farm Challenge Trophy Grand Junior Hunter- Funny Face owned by Charlotte Hoffman and ridden by Michael Kocher *The Red Frazier Memorial Grand Pony Hunter-Winter Wardrobe owned by Hannah Siegel and ridden by Elizabeth Butterworth *The George Webster High Point Short Stirrup- Savannah Smiles and Kendall Edwards *Grand Adult Hunter-Road to Time owned by Daniel Robertshaw and ridden by Grayson Schirmer *Grand Children’s Hunter-Bulls Bay owned by Ann Rice Ervin and ridden by Jessica Rooks Bruce Christison and Goodman- 2011 Grand Hunter Champions. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) The Tryon Hounds will again host an exhibitor’s party Friday June 1 st that will take place under the VIP tent during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Brick Church Farm and Reflections Farm.   The tentative start time for the derby is 6:30 and it is always a crowd favorite as some of the area’s top hunters take center stage in the main arena.  Joseph Carnicom of Toledo, Ohio will again be handling the course designing duties for the class which will consist of many natural obstacles including brush boxes, gates, coups, stone walls, and natural logs. Tryon Hounds (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Saturday evening, June 2 nd will feature the $10,000 EMO Insurance Agency Jumper Classic and Tryon Hounds Benefit dinner which will be catered by the Hare and the Hound of Landrum, SC.  The Tryon Hounds and Equus Events would like to thank Martha Hall and the EMO Agency for their continued support of this event.  The evening’s festivities will also include the annual Parade of Tryon Hounds prior to the start of the class.   The tent will open at 6PM and dinner will be served at approximately 7 PM with action in the ring starting at approximately 6:30.

East Dorset, Vermont — Hunter competitors will enjoy time in the spotlight with the introduction of the $15,000 Hunter Derby, presented by Oughton Limited, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.