Howard Greene of Tryon is the longest-running attendee of the Block House Steeplechase and
its longest-serving volunteer.
He was just 28 years old when he manned the entry gate at the first Block House race in 1947, holding a small tin cup that founder Carter Brown gave him to accept donations. Luckily Greene had a shoebox in the trunk of his car because the tin cup was soon full and overflowing. He still gets tickled remembering how surprised Brown was.

Greene volunteered at the Block House for the next 35 years and has attended all 67 years. He unfortunately has to miss this year’s race to attend a family wedding. But at 95 years old, he’s planning to be back for the 2015 race in the same parking spot he’s always held.
(If Howard Greene’s name sounds familiar it’s probably because the county’s DSS Building wears his name to honor all Polk County veterans, and he was recently named Polk County’s “Mr. American Legion.”)
The 68th Block House Steeplechase runs at FENCE on Saturday, May 3. For more information, visit blockhouseraces.com or call TRHC office at 828-863-0480.

– article submitted
by Tryon Riding & Hunt Club