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Special Olympics North Carolina athletes of all ages and abilities competed in the 2024 SONC Equestrian Tournament Sept. 20-22, at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring. 

Events included showmanship, barrel racing, pole bending, trails, dressage and equitation. 

Athletes competing in the 2024 SONC Equestrian Tournament represented the following Polk County, as well as Alamance, Cherokee, Clay, Dare, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Henderson, Johnston, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties. 

To ensure fair competition, the athletes were placed in competition divisions based on age and ability level. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each division, followed by fourth through eighth place ribbons.

Since 1968, Special Olympics North Carolina has used the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. SONC offers year-round training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports-based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities as well as empower them to become youth leaders and create change in their community.

To learn more, visit .specialolympicsnc.com.