140 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
still going strong today.
More and more people came to Tryon for the year-round riding,
good footing, extensive trails and the convenient location on the
North-South corridor. Professionals found their way to this once
sleepy town too.
In 1951, Eisenhower decommissioned the mounted cavalry,
recognizing that wars from that point forwardwould bemechanized.
An unintended consequence was the loss of the supplier for the
United States Equestrian Team, which had traditionally been
tapped from the ranks of the cavalry’s skilled horsemen. In
response, a group from Tryon committed to search for horses,
riders and coaches in hopes of cultivating a civilian equestrian
team that could represent the country at the Olympic Games.
By 1956, the Olympic search committee felt they were ready and
invited horses and riders to come train for the upcoming Olympics
in Stockholm. The first candidates were a Who’s Who of today’s
legends including William Steinkraus, Frank Chapot, Hugh Wiley,
Max Bonham and a young upstart named George Morris
Four years later, the team returned to prepare for the competition
in Rome.
In the years following the Olympic tryouts, the area had both
surges and recessions in horse activities, but through it all
equestrians continued to find the Carolina foothills. In the 1980s,
alarmed that continued growth brought by the new interstate I-26
would diminish the equestrian culture, Foothills Equestrian Nature
Center (FENCE) was established to insure the continuation of local
horse sports. The newly created horse park was the culmination
of acquiring the old Kimberly Estate (of Kimberly-Clark) along with
a generous large donation of land and community support.
To complement the newly created horse facility, Foothills
Equestrian Trail Association (FETA) was also established. Local
equestrian enthusiasts were concerned that there would be a loss
of long-established trails unless something was put in place to
formally protect them. The organizing effort paid off with a well-
established, well-maintained private trail system open to residents
of the area on a membership basis. The FETA trail system has
been joined by other trail systems, all by membership and all on
private land, to offer one of the most recognized trail systems in
the country totaling approximately 250 miles of trails. The value of
the trail system to the larger community has caused the system to
be dubbed by local real estate professionals as “our waterfront.”
Fast forward to the 21st century. The area is again awash in a
newfound popularity as equestrians from around the country study
the map for the perfect place to live with horses. Contributing to
the appeal is the availability of affordable land. While many parts
of the country are feeling the pinch of disappearing land, high land
prices and high taxes, Tryon Horse Country’s equestrian culture
boasts smart land use, which has enabled community leaders to
keep a vigilant eye on encroaching development.
The climate is no doubt another major draw. Known as the
Isothermal Belt, the area has historically enjoyed year-round mild
temperatures enabling riding and training throughout the year.
Coupled with a rolling terrain, which is perfect for conditioning
horses, trainers find the foothills to be just the ticket for their
competitive programs.
Speaking of competition, two competition facilities, Harmon
Field and FENCE offer locals an easy avenue to the competition
season. Primarily offering shows catering to English disciplines,
the two venues combined feature multiple rings, a covered arena,
a preliminary level cross-country course, a combined driving
obstacle course as well as facilities for trailer hook-ups. Major
A vintage poster of Tryon’s famous Block House Steeplechase.
Photo courtesy of Tryon Riding and Hunt Club archives
Continued on page 142
