Organizers said the heat on Sunday, June 5 did nothing to deter the excitement and anticipation of the supporters who came out to cheer on the riders in the $5,000 Ariat Charity Jumper Challenge at the 83rd Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Horse Show.

Lincoln Russell and Tommy Frick took the blue ribbon and won the top prize of $1,500 for Thermal Belt Outreach Ministries. All of the randomly selected non-profits received a portion of the $5,000 purse, so no one walked away empty-handed.

All of the riders donated their time, efforts and resources to participate in the event. Riders were awarded gift backpacks donated by Perfect Products filled with Perfect Products items.

The following are the results of the challenge:

1st ($1,500) Thermal Belt Outreach Ministries, represented by Motlow Creek Equestrian Center (Lincoln Russell and Tommy Frick)

2nd ($1,000) Polk Equine Emergency Rescue, represented by Lone Oak Farm (Lincoln Russell and Ashley Conkle)

3rd ($700) Tryon Arts & Crafts, represented by Still Creek Farm (Holli Adams and Sarah Ketcham)

4th ($500) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk County, represented by Lynard Hills Farm (Vick Russell and Lily Hahn)

5th ($400) Columbus Fire Department, represented by Block House Stables (Mike and Emily Kocher)

6th ($350) Tryon Elementary School PTA, represented by Clearview Farm (Jeannie Smith and Hannah Siegel)

7th ($300) Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce Foundation, represented by Green River Farm (Roger and Jennifer Smith)

8th ($250) Children’s Theater Festival, represented by Block House Stables (Kelly and Suzie Kocher)

– article submitted by Laura Weicker