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This year’s Block House race rescheduled for June 5

GREEN CREEK—After being rescheduled one year for rains and cancelled last year because of COVID-19, this year’s Block House Steeplechase has been rescheduled. 

The Tryon International Equestrian Center announced this week that the Steeplechase has been rescheduled until June 5 from its original date of April 10 this year. 

“The 73rd Tryon Block House Races, the historic steeplechase of Tryon Riding & Hunt Club, has been rescheduled from its original date on April 10 to June 5, 2021 at the Green Creek Race Track in Columbus, N.C.,” stated a press release from TIEC. “With safety at the forefront of the decision-making, race organizers at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Tryon Riding & Hunt Club decided to push the annual event to June 5 to ensure safer conditions for the race and its participants, safeguarding the event from cancellation.” 

TIEC is planning to allow current ticket holders to attend the 2021 steeplechase provided that federal and state restrictions for public events are lifted by June. Currently, state restrictions in North Carolina would not allow an event even outdoors with that many in attendance. 

TIEC said no additional tickets will be sold at this time and the races will be live streamed for the public to watch online. 

“Here at TIEC, we have been working closely with safety and health officials and moving the date to June provides greater safety for all those involved with the Tryon Block House Races,” said Sharon Decker, President of Tryon Equestrian Partners, Carolinas Operations. “It is our hope that we can celebrate this historic event together whether in person or virtually. We appreciate everyone’s support as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances.”

TIEC said the National Steeplechase Association (NSA) is supportive of the decision to reschedule the races until June.

“The NSA stands behind our race meets that are making adjustments to their schedule due to COVID restrictions this spring,” said National Steeplechase Association Director of Racing Bill Gallo. “Moving Tryon from April to June hopefully will be good for the meet and the local fans as well as for our horsemen, who will be well into the spring season by then and should support the Block House races in full force.”

For more information about the 73rd Tryon Block House Races, please visit Tryon.com/Steeplechase or email steeplechase@tryon.com.