MILL SPRING – “This area has no idea what’s coming,” said Chief Executive Officer of Dover Saddlery Brad Wolansky.

Wolansky was speaking about the World Equestrian Games coming in September 2018 during a short speech he gave at the grand opening for Dover Saddlery at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Wolansky said Dover started talking with Managing Partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners, Mark Bellissimo, about working together in July of this year. Dover opened their two stores at TIEC in September.

In addition to the 4,000 square foot main store located next to Roger’s Diner, Dover also opened a 400 square foot store near the barns. While the small store stocks mostly stable and horse supplies, the main store has everything for the hunter/jumper rider from hairnets to boots.

“It helps those who are showing to have the small store near the barns,” said TIEC Dover Saddlery Store Manager Mandy Su. “That store carries mostly stable and horse supplies, such things as equine ear plugs, horse shampoo, horse care items and the, ‘oops I forgot’ type of items.”

According to Tryon International Equestrian Center COO Sharon Decker, both the stores will be open year round.

Su said currently most of their customers are people showing at TIEC, but she is confident the local equestrians will find them.

“While we don’t carry traditional fox hunting attire, everyone uses shampoo, fly spray, supplements and blankets,” Su said, though she added that show riders are Dover’s biggest customer base.

Though there is not much show traffic at TIEC during the winter, Su said that will give her and her staff time to go through the inventory and get ready for a big year in 2018.

According to Wolansky and Su, Dover tries to hire experienced horse people rather than sales people to assist their customers. “We want people who know about and use the products,” Su said. “That gives the customer a better shopping experience. We can always teach someone retail.”

Dover celebrated the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. Approximately 100 local and visiting horse enthusiasts enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres and signed up for door prizes.

Dover’s main TIEC store is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The small store near the barns is open 7 a.m. until noon, Thursday through Sunday.