For Immediate Release

Mill Spring, NC – July 19, 2016 – Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in conjunction the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association (NCHJA), is pleased to announce the launch of the new Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Series, set to take place at horse shows across the Carolinas region, with the series culminating in a final competition to be hosted at the TIEC venue during Tryon Fall IV, which will begin Wednesday, October 12, and conclude Sunday, October 16.

Horse and rider combinations competing in the following divisions: Children’s Hunter, Adult Hunter, Junior Hunter, Amateur Owner Hunter, 2’6″ Hunter, and Pre-Green Hunter, through their participation in the series, will have the opportunity to accumulate points throughout the year for a chance to receive yearly awards and championship honors, as well as an opportunity to compete at the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Championship Finals at the Tryon Fall IV Horse Show. The top 30 horses finishing atop each designated division will be invited to compete in the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals.

“This is a unique experience for hunter exhibitors competing in the Carolinas and we are looking forward to bringing this championship event to TIEC, as well as maintaining the growing partnership with other competitions operating in the region,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners. “We believe this opportunity will become an important component of the longstanding hunter circuit in this region for many years to come.”Horses will qualify based on points earned in their respective divisions during the qualifying period, which started, Wednesday, June 29, and will continue through Sunday, October 9, 2016, at eligible competition locations.”This series will allow for riders and competitors of all ages to partake in something that we hope will continue to grow the sport in this area,” added J.P. Godard, show manager of TIEC.

A horse may earn points in any section for which it is eligible, and may accumulate points in multiple sections with multiple riders. Participants may not compete more than three horses in the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals.

The following list of events will serve as qualifying competitions for the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals. In order to be eligible for the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Series or to compete in the event finals, competitors must compete at least one show, in a minimum of three of four possible locations. Qualifying for the inaugural 2016 Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Series began during the NCHJA Charity Horse Show in Raleigh, NC, in late June and will continue through the summer and into early fall. Locations and qualifying events include the following:

NC State Fairgrounds – Raleigh, NC
NCHJA Charity Horse Show – June 24-28

Tryon International Equestrian Center – Mill Spring, NC
Tryon Summer IV – July 20-24
Tryon August I – August 11-14
Tryon August II – August 18-21

L.M. Tate Horse Show Grounds – Blowing Rock, NC
Blowing Rock Charity Horse Shows I – July 26-31
Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show II – August 2-7

The Aiken Horse Park “Bruce’s Field” – Aiken, SC
Aiken Fall Festival I – September 8-11
Aiken Fall Festival II – September 15-18

“Wild Card” Qualifying Event – Mill Spring, NC
Tryon Fall III – October 5-9

No enrollment or membership is required. The top 30 qualified competitors must accept invitations and be entered by October 3rd, 2016 for eligibility to compete in the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals. In the event that there is a tie in points for the final placing qualification (30th), than both/or all participants tied in the 30th position will be eligible to compete in the final competition.

Points will be awarded as followed:1st-100
2nd-75
3rd-60
4th-50
5th-40
6th-30
7th-20
8th-15
9th-10
10th-5

The Tryon Fall III Horse Show will offer a “Wild Card” invitation in each division offered for the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals. The horse/rider combination (if not already invited or qualified) that accumulates the most points in each respective division at Tryon Fall III, will earn an opportunity to compete in the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals at the Tryon Fall IV Horse Show. If the “Wild Card” invitation is declined, no additional invitation or qualification will be extended.

The Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals is set to take place at the Tryon Fall IV Horse Show and will offer a two round classic. Each round will count as 50% towards the scores of the top 12 in each respective division invited back for a second round. Formal attire is required and the order of go will be determined based on points accumulated.

An overall series Championship and Reserve Championship will be awarded for each of the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Divisions and will be presented at the Tryon Fall IV Horse Show. Points from the Finals classes will be included and count toward overall series championship.

Finals Entry Fee: $175

2’6″ Hunter Carolinas’ Cup Finals Entry Fee: $125

Prize money will be awarded as follows and ribbons will be awarded first through twelfth place:

$10,000 Children’s Hunter Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals
Prize money: $3000, $2200, $1300, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $300, $200, $200, $200

$10,000 Adult Hunter Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals
Prize money: $3000, $2200, $1300, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $300, $200, $200, $200

$10,000 Junior Hunter Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals
Prize money: $3000, $2200, $1300, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $300, $200, $200, $200

$10,000 Amateur Owner Hunter Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals
Prize money: $3000, $2200, $1300, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $300, $200, $200, $200

$10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals
Prize money: $3000, $2200, $1300, $800, $600, $500, $400, $300, $300, $200, $200, $200

$2,500 2’6″ Hunter Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Finals
Prize money: $750, $550, $325, $200, $150, $125, $100, $75, $50, $50, $50

For more information on the Carolinas’ Challenge Cup Series please visit www.tryon.com.

Photo Credit ©MegBanks/TIEC. This photo may only be used once in relation to this press release.