By Kirk Gollwitzer
Candace King of Wellington, Fla. was the first rider on course for Jumpers in the Grand Prix Arena at TR&HC 2 at 8 a.m.,  Wednesday. Daniel Geitner of Aiken, S.C. was first rider on course for Hunters.  The two were the first to make history and hit center’s “pay dirt” at the newly constructed $100 million Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, S.C.
Workers were scrambling to dust off the walkways, press down the sod and set up the concession stands as the early morning sun was rising and the visitors were trickling onto the show grounds behind earth moving machines. The U.S. Equestrian Federation premier event scheduled for July 2-6 is now underway and taking full advantage of the 1,400 acres that was formerly part of the White Oak Community.
In the last few months’ time the once quiet rich farm land just off I-74 in Mill Spring has been transformed into one of the largest competitive equestrian centers in the country. The future holds for a huge international arena with a connecting  9,000-square foot VIP center, five grass rings, a sixth sand ring, a covered arena, 500 more stalls with additional schooling areas and a Salamander Hotel with 150 rooms, pools, restaurants and gift shops.
The Tryon International Equestrian Center is located at 4066 Pea Ridge Rd. • Tryon, N.C. 28782.