The 2nd Annual September Spectacular horse show will be held Saturday, Sept. 11 at Harmon Field in Tryon.

Held as the final event of the day, the Pacolet Area Conservancy Hunter Derby will be&bsp; a tribute to the old fashioned hunter style of jumping over a challenging course of obstacles.

The hunter derby will offer an unprecedented $2,500 in prize money. In addition to the lion’s share of the prize money, the winner will also receive a beautiful engraved antique hunt scene challenge trophy.

Tryon is known throughout the equestrian world as having contributed greatly to the roots of the hunter and jumper horse showing of today. The rural setting, good footing, and beautiful natural resources helped Tryon to be selected as the venue for the first U.S. Olympic Equestrian Trials in the 1950s.

Harmon Field was a training area for the cross-country equestrian team, which traversed the Pacolet River and wound around the neighboring farms belonging to Mrs. Du

Charme and the George Brannon family.

The PAC Hunter Derby provides a nod to those classic roots, and the show is helping raise funding to protect the areas natural resources. The September Spectacular horse show, which is run by Lewis Packs Harmon Classics, is accompanied by a series of fundraising events and booths to benefit the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC).

Just before the derby begins, The Derby Fiesta Dinner will be served in the log cabin, where people can also bid on more than 45 silent auction items, which include everything from a stay at Dogwood Farm Kennels for your dog to a spa treatment for yourself at Essence Day Spa.

The popular Tack for PAC Sale will be ongoing from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as will PACs newest event at the horse show: the Treasure-Hunter Tag Sale. According to PAC Executive Director Sally Walker, We have an abundance of fabulously exquisite antiques, art work, furniture, jewelry, china, and equestrian items and services. There will something for everyone, priced from just a few dollars on upward.

Advanced tickets for the catered Derby Fiesta Dinner are available at the PAC Office at 850 N. Trade Street in Tryon, Little Mountain Farm Supply on Hwy. 9 in Tryon, and at Stoney Knoll Farms in Columbus.

At just $10 for a fabulous Mexican fiesta, which includes one adult beverage, we expect our limited number of tickets to sell fast, adds Walker, but if there are any left, they will be available at the horse show office.

All proceeds from the September Spectacular fundraising events will go to help PAC in its mission to Save the Places We Love, which includes the areas mountains, forests, greenspace, waterways, horse farms and other farmland.

For more information about conservation or the September Spectacular events or dinner, contact PAC at 828-859-5060.