The Tryon Block House Races, scheduled for October 5 has been canceled due to course-development delays and will return to its traditional spring date on April 11, 2020.
Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) hosts the event in conjunction with the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TR&HC).
TIEC has made a significant investment to create a state-of-the-art steeplechase course at the Green Creek Race Course in Columbus, N.C., the announcement reported. While significant progress has been made on the course, TIEC canceled the event in the interest of horse welfare and to ensure that the track is utilized in its most ideal condition. TIEC acted in consultation with the National Steeplechase Association, which sanctions the Tryon Block House Races.
“TIEC has made a significant investment of time and resources into the completion of the Green Creek Race Course, and while we are incredibly disappointed to cancel the event, we cannot risk horse or rider welfare,” Sharon Decker, chief operating officer of Tryon Equestrian Partners, said.
“Our goal is to offer one of the nation’s most state-of-the-art steeplechase tracks and while we are making great progress on that goal, our timeline did not evolve as we had planned,” Decker said. “There is potential to get the course ready by October, but it would be heavily dependent on perfect weather and with September being prone to hurricanes, it is not worth the risk. We believe it is better to cancel now with notice and focus on the spring 2020 race,” Decker said.