I have just finished reading, “Distilling the Mysteries of Hogback Mountain” by James Stehlik. This has been a subject that has interested me since I moved here in 1998. The book covered the subject very well and answered my questions.

The book gave me a feeling of déjà vu concerning the current situation with the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). R.C.Remick was the developer for Hogback Mountain Resort. He was a GMR (grab the money and run) type promoter. If he had spent more time establishing residents at the resort it might have been able to survive the Depression. The same situation seems to be occurring at TIEC. Some of the grandiose plans in store for the center do not appear to be sustainable on a yearly basis. Can the center attract enough business to support a 1,500 room hotel? I doubt it. Can it schedule enough events to make the resident businesses profitable? That is questionable also.

Be sure to think things out before making any decisions regarding the center.

Joe Jackan, Tryon, NC