A lively hunt scene adorns the to-be-auctioned jump box Joan MacIntyre has created for the September Spectacular Horse Show at Harmon Field benefiting The Pacolet Area Conservancy.

To be held Labor Day weekend, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 4-6, the horse show event will draw attention to the importance of supporting the local land trust&39;s conservation efforts.

Bids will be accepted on the jump throughout the day Friday and Saturday, with the winner announced between rounds of Saturday&squo;s exciting Hunter Derby Challenge.

Proceeds from both the jump and the hunter derby entry fees will benefit PAC.

The jump box was a collaborative volunteer effort which began at the Tryon Estates workshop, where Jack Landolt put his skills to work constructing the two piece 10&39; wide, 2&39;6&uot; high box which was then delivered to MacIntyre to transform into a work of art.

The scene created by the artist features a clever fox in the foreground, with the hunt cantering past in the background.

MacIntyre has exhibited and sold her sporting art throughout the world. For a look at the exceptional detail, use of light and overall quality of her paintings, one has only to dine at her daughter&39;s restaurant, The Hungry Fox, where Mac-Intyre paintings line the walls. Currently, the artist is creating a series of furniture sporting art, some in the fashion of equestrian master Munnings. &bsp;

&uot;This jump is a work of art which demonstrates the commitment and passion throughout our community for the preservation of horse country and greenspace,&uot; stated PAC Executive Director Sally Walker.

According to Walker, PAC has placed 500 acres of horse farm land under permanent protection; and the organization has 500 additional acres currently in the conservation process. &uot;We are fortunate in this area to have exceptional natural resources to protect,&uot; added PAC&39;s executive director. &uot;PAC is dedicated to the protection of our entire watershed and especially values the resources which make up the special character of our area, such as farmland, rivers and streams, mountains, forests and fields, all of which create habitat for plant and wildlife&ellip;as well as horses and other farm animals.&uot;

The horse show PAC fundraiser offers more than the

MacIntyre Jump. A silent auction of items ranging from a $200 Erik Olsen photo session to jewelry will be held, as well as a Horse & Rider Tag Sale of tack, show clothes, blankets, saddle pads, and much more, with proceeds benefiting PAC.

The public is invited to come by to see the jump on display, as well as many of the silent auction and Tag Sale items, at the PAC office the week before the horse show,&bsp; August 31 to September 3, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For more information about the jump and other benefit items, contact PAC at 828.859.5060.

For information about the September Spectacular Horse Show or for a prize list, go to www.harmonclassics.com.&bsp; &bsp;

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