Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is celebrating

the culmination of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Land Rover from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 with a free “Sounds of Nashville” concert presented by Coca Cola on Saturday, Sept. 3.

“Raised by the Radio” star Mitch Rossell, who has opened for the legendary Garth Brooks, is headlining the concert at 8 p.m. Country music singer Julia Cole, who has opened for country music sensation Hunter Hayes, will go on at 6:30 p.m. General admission to the concert is free and open to the public, with gates opening at 5 p.m. VIP tickets for seating in the Legends Club and Sky Deck are available for purchase by visiting www.tryon.com.

Prior to the concert at 6 p.m., TIEC will host a “Celebrity Bartender Showdown” featuring many of Team USA’s best eventing athletes including Boyd Martin, Sinead Halpin, Tik Maynard, and Lauren Kieffer. The celebrity bartenders will mix specialty cocktails and sign autographs to help raise money for Brooke USA. For every $9 raised, a working donkey or equine in drought-ridden Ethiopia will be provided with a lifetime water supply. Donkeys and equines are the livelihood of families in this region of the world.

In addition to live country music, attendees can enjoy TIEC’s “Saturday Night Lights” entertainment series featuring free, family-friendly activities like rides on a Venetian carousel, street performers, face painting, pony rides and carnival-style concessions.

The Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) is the annual championship for each level of the sport of eventing offered in the United States. The public is invited to watch competitions and attend celebratory events throughout the week including the “Welcome Party” on Aug. 31, the “Cleghorn Adult Shoot Out” on Sept. 1, “Dinner & A Movie” on Sept. 2, and the “Sounds of Nashville” concert presented by Coca Cola on Sept. 3.

Tickets are required for some events and can be purchased at AECTryon.eventbrite.com.

– article submitted by Michelle McConnell Yelton