Hazy clouds and chilling breezes gave way to clear blue skies just in time for the 65th running of the Block House Steeplechase Saturday, April 23.
As kids ran around grassy areas, families and friends prepared for the day of festivities.
Tailgating groups set up everything from simple tables of paper plates and fried chicken to elaborate spreads of silver serving platters and gourmet entrees.
Tailgate judges Joyce Cox, Libby Johnson and Russ and Billie Jordan selected their favorites from among the crowds including:
• Best Country Tailgate – A Day at the Races by Pete Inman and friends, Beth and Jim Champion, Steve Jones and Eve Thornton;
• Most unusual tailgate – 20 Years of the Block House Steeplechase by Steve and Jill Wallace, which included photos of them and friends with their favorite horses;
• Most elegant tailgate – Bridle Affair by Elizabeth “Cornee” Yountz, featuring an array of bridal-themed décor; and
• Judge’s pick tailgate – Flamingo Friends by Wanda Henderson and friends, which included splashes of neon pink and black accessories as well as pink flamingos.
Hats – fanciful, funny and stylish – were worn by many steeplechase attendees.
On course around noon came the parade of equine related groups such as the Old Tryon Foot Beagles, Green Creek Hounds, Tuckaway Farm Paso Finos and the Carolina Carriage Club.
Rev. Michael Doty of Holy Cross Episcopal Church blessed the day just prior to a dove release by L.J. Myers. Amateur racer Susie Kocher sang the national anthem and then the horses entered the paddock for the first race of the day, the BMW Performance/HendrickCars.com race.
Susan Petty sponsored the second race of the day in honor of her son Cannon Harmon. This race was followed by the Green Creek Equestrian Park Race sponsored by Ken Feagin Truck and Trailer Sales, Kem and Linda Ketcham, Chuck and Bonnie Lingerfelt, Kenneth A. Petit and Roger and Jennifer Smith.
The day ended with the Carolina First race and then the Foxhunter’s Cup amateur races. (See page 5 for race results, and visit www.tryon
dailybulletin.com for more photos from the day’s events.)