Mill Spring, NC – September 13, 2017 – This week Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is hosting the first ever Para-Equestrian Dressage competition at the facility, welcoming the Fall Dressage FEI CDI-W & CPEDI 3* and USEF National Show each presented by Adequan® on Friday, September 15 through Sunday, September 17. The FEI CPEDI 3*, which is also the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships sponsored by Deloitte, is running in parallel to the second international dressage competition of the 2017 season, following the FEI CDI 3* hosted at the venue in late April. The Fall FEI CPEDI 3* is set to welcome Para-Equestrian athletes from across the country and Canada, competing at Grades I-V.

Para-Equestrian sports allow athletes with physical and visual disabilities to excel in equestrian events and competitions designed for the able-bodied, and do so by creating a structured and highly competitive environment. Para-dressage is conducted under the same basic rules as able-bodied Dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their physical abilities. There is no greater evidence of the incredible bond, trust and communication between horse and rider than in Para-Dressage. This Paralympic sport is a humbling reminder of the strength and determination of the human spirit.

The event is TIEC’s first FEI CPEDI 3* and is expected to draw many horse and rider combinations from across North America to contest the competition.

Para-Dressage athlete Katie Jackson has had TIEC on her competition schedule for months, and made the trip from Texas this week to compete. “We are so excited to be here,” commented Jackson. “It’ll be great to have all of our competitors together in one place.”

As this is the first Para-Equestrian competition ever held at TIEC, it is also the first time that many of the riders, including Jackson, will get to experience the unique atmosphere that the venue boasts.

“This is my first time being here, and wow, it is amazing! It has not disappointed me thus far. It’s perfectly laid out and everything seems to be very comfortable for the horses and riders,” she added.

The competition is one of the many that will count as a FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 Qualifier, giving the athletes an early chance to get comfortable with the venue prior to the games, which will be hosted at TIEC from September 11-23, 2018.

Jackson continued, “This is definitely an important competition because it is a qualifier for WEG, so I know that everyone is going to work really hard this week to make it count.”

Click here to view the FEI CDI-W and FEI CPEDI 3* day schedules.

Live streaming for both the FEI CDI-W and FEI CPEDI 3* competitions will be available on COTH TV!

The Fall Dressage FEI CDI-W, CPEDI 3* and USEF National Show each presented by Adequan® will begin on Friday, September 15, and conclude on Sunday, September 17. With free admission and free parking at TIEC, spectators are encouraged to come out and watch the competitions. Don’t miss the weekly “Saturday Night Lights” activities on Saturday, September 16, with free family friendly entertainment starting at 6:00 p.m. followed by Gladiator Polo™ presented by Coca-Cola® at 8:00 p.m. Onsite restaurants and shops are also open throughout the week. Tickets to an authentic Asado buffet in the Legends Club are also available for Saturday night by clicking here.

For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center, please visit www.tryon.com.

Photo Credit ©SueStickle. This photo may only be used once in relation to this press release with proper credit.