Major Grooms’ Initiative To Be Implemented for Remainder of the TIEC Season

Mark Bellissimo announced today that, effective immediately, shows operated at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (N.C.), Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (Fla.), Colorado Horse Park, Central Park (N.Y.), and The Trump Invitational at Mar-a-Lago (Fla.) will provide a $500 award to the groom of the winning horse in the highest-money grand prix class of the week over $25,000.

The groom will also be mentioned in all communications of the victory and will appear in the winning photo of its press releases.

Bellissimo stated, “We recognize that grooms are the unsung heroes of equestrian sport and have decided that we will systematically honor their hard work, dedication, and commitment to their riders, the horses and the sport.”

©The Chronicle of The Horse/Ann Glavan

In the future, riders will be asked to register their groom’s name with their declarations, and if a winning rider has not registered his or her groom, the award will roll over to the next week.

Bellissimo added, “We will be instituting a similar program for special classes in our hunter, dressage and eventing competitions.”

In addition, starting in 2016, horse show software will manage and track grooms standings based on total money won with horses where they are registered as primary groom. At the end of the calendar year in 2016, the top three grooms in terms of money won in qualified classes across the properties will be honored in The Chronicle Of The Horse magazine and online and will win $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

Finally, Bellissimo will be working with Isothermal Community College (N.C.) to create a national training program for grooms. More details to follow.

For more information on the Grooms’ Initiative please visit The Chronicle of The Horse. To learn more about TIEC please visit www.tryon.com.

Photo Credit: ©The Chronicle of The Horse/Ann Glavan. This photo may be used only in relation to this press release and must include photo credit.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center
The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.