Tryon holds 76th Annual Block House Steeplechase

Published 12:46 pm Monday, April 15, 2024

By Grant Langston

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The 76th Annual Block House Steeplechase was held on Saturday, April 13. (Photo by Grant Langston)

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GREEN CREEK—Equine enthusiasts arrived in droves for the 76th Annual Block House Steeplechase on Saturday, April 13, welcomed by plenty of sunshine and perfect weather for the event. Bugler Ken Frick and National Anthem Singer Deborah Thompson kicked off the day of extravagant tailgating and exciting horse racing.

The Steeplechase is a Polk County tradition dating back to Carter Brown and the founding of the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club and is hosted by the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

The winners of the five races were Jimmy Dan, jockeyed by Graham Watters; Tufton Avenue, jockeyed by Gerard Galligan; Icandothat, jockeyed by Sean McDermott; Go Poke the Bear, jockeyed by Jamie Bargary; and Recent Revelations, jockeyed by Harrison Beswick. The prizes for the day totaled $110,000.

The event featured a tailgate decorating competition, a kid’s zone with lots of fun activities for children, and plenty of food vendors and shopping opportunities.

“Sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association, the Block House races are an enduring and much-loved tradition in western North Carolina,” organizers said.

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