Harmon Field hears from BRHJA after concerns of reduced horse shows raised

TRYON — The Harmon Field Board of Supervisors heard from members of the Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association this week, in response to a recent article where some questioned if equestrian sport is the best use of the space at the park.

The board met Tuesday and heard from Lewis Pack, with BRHJA.

Pack said the organization is trying to keep horse shows coming into Harmon Field, but it is a little difficult to compete with “the boys in Pea Ridge,” speaking of the amount of shows now at Mill Spring’s Tryon International Equestrian Center.

“The Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association has done over $50,000 in capital improvements,” Pack said, adding that BRHJA has not asked for a penny from Harmon Field.

He said he goes there on his own time trying to keep grass out of the rings, and does maintenance on his own dime.

Pack also said a lot of the shows that used to come to Harmon Field have gotten too big, and Harmon Field does not have the facilities for them.

In a letter to Harmon Field from BRHJA officers, the organization said the granting deed from the Harmon Foundation Inc. includes if Harmon Field is ever used for purposes other than play and recreation, title to the property will revert to Harmon Foundation Inc. or its successor.

“Harmon Foundation restrictions notwithstanding, other factors limiting the number of equestrian events the facility can handle, and use of the property in general, are 1) the small amount of land involved, and 2) the fact that Harmon Field is a flood plain, which actually floods regularly,” states the letter. “With regard to the overall state of recreational activities at Harmon Field, it should be noted that BRHJA is a major source of revenue for the entire park, contributing approximately $4,000 annually. BRHJA also maintains the equestrian facility and pays all utilities year-round, at no cost the city of Tryon.”

During a meeting on Sept.18, the Harmon Field board heard from a resident and Tryon Commissioner Crys Armbrust about the recent reduction in horse shows at Harmon Field.

Resident Susan Ball asked if there may be a better use of the space at Harmon Field.

Armbrust said, at one time, there were more than 40 shows a year there, but BRHJA representatives said that has never occurred and could not occur because the land could not handle that many shows a year.

Harmon Field member Steve Nelon said he has lived in the area since he was a child and worked Harmon Field as a teenager, and never remembers that many shows held.

Harmon Field Board Vice Chair Lindy Buss asked how many shows the group has done this year. Pack said eight this year and six last year.

Buss said one of her concerns is that BRHJA stepped over the Harmon Field Board for camping accommodations at the park for last month’s World Equestrian Games.

Harmon Field agreed to rent out the former Hog Heaven campsites for $100 a night during WEG.

“You guys stepped over us and said ‘oh no, you can pay $30 and stay on our side of the park and [Harmon Field will get] 20 percent,” Buss said. “That kind of puts a bad taste in my mouth when we were trying to do something to better Harmon Field.”

BRHJA representatives said that was a misunderstanding, as a camper went to the wrong area. They also said they checked with Foothills Equestrian Nature Center to see what it was charging, so as not to compete and to try to help out equestrians.

“It made me look at you guys completely different,” Buss said.

Jamie Horn, with BRHJA, said it was just a big misunderstanding, as a camper was in the wrong spot.

Pack added that it was not to undermine the Harmon Field board.

Harmon Field Chair Benny Smith said when they negotiate the contract, things such as that can be discussed.

The board and BRHJA decided to begin talking about the contract, which is up for renewal in December 2019.