Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is proud to announce the return of The Fork at TIEC, the FEI CIC 3*/2*/1* and Horse Trials presented by Lucky Clays Farm, on April 4-8, 2018. The CIC3* division of The Fork competition will also serve as the Eventing Test Event in preparation for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) in September. General admission and parking are free for all competitions and additional ticketed spectator events will be hosted throughout the week.
Founded by Jim and Bernadette Cogdell, The Fork Horse Trials began 17 years ago in Norwood, North Carolina and moved to TIEC last year to elevate the level of competition and enhance the spectator experience. As one of the most prestigious eventing competitions on the North American calendar, The Fork is back at the Tryon venue. Alongside the FEI CIC3*/2*/1* competition, Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, and Training divisions will also be hosted. The CIC3* and Advanced divisions are also qualifying events in the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.
The Fork at TIEC offers an unprecedented chance for spectators to preview top competitors in their final tune-up before the prominent Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as a preview of the thrilling competition to come to TIEC in September for the WEG. For some riders, The Fork at TIEC will serve as a qualifier for the WEG.
Spectators can also enjoy an impressive lineup of social events throughout the week including a Ladies Champagne Luncheon, Comedy Club Night, Lakeside Lunch with prime viewing of the cross-country course, "What the FORK" Party, and Sunday brunch.
Ladies Champagne Luncheon, Friday, April 6
Six years ago, The Fork Co-founder Bernadette Cogdell started an annual "Ladies Champagne Luncheon" where women donned their best derby hats and cocktail dresses. Doubling as a fundraiser for Brooke USA this year - an organization that raises funds to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys, mules, and the people they serve throughout the world - Cogdell and co-hosts Marcia Kulak and Katherine Bellissimo are inviting attendees to "Brunch in Orange" by wearing their favorite orange attire to celebrate the non-profit organization. The event is scheduled for Friday, April 6 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Tryon Resort's Legends Club and tickets are on sale at www.Tryon.com.
The brunch event, complete with prizes for "best hat" and "most original hat," was originally inspired by the spring holiday season, said Cogdell. "The Fork event either ends up on or close to Easter, so it is the perfect time to dress up with an elegant hat and have a champagne lunch. I think ladies love a champagne luncheon and the chance to put on a fun hat while being able to watch either dressage or show jumping."
Tickets for the Champagne Luncheon are available online at www.Tryon.com.
Comedy Club Night, Friday, April 6
Friday evening from 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Comedy Club Night returns as a popular feature to The Fork's social calendar. Held at Legends Club, this event will feature unforgettable laughs and a bar menu, with tickets available online at www.Tryon.com.
Lakeside Lunch, Saturday, April 7
Enjoy the most prime viewing of this elite level eventing competition at the Lakeside Lunch on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Located on the cross-country field next to a scenic lake, this beautifully tented buffet lunch includes a gourmet menu, beer and mimosa bar, plus additional cash bar for other alcoholic beverages. Tickets can be purchased online at www.Tryon.com.
"What the FORK" Party, Saturday, April 7
Celebrate the eventing riders and their achievements at the "What the FORK" Party on Saturday, April 7 from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Legends Club. The event is free to all riders, but the public is invited to join the fun and can purchase a ticket for the party online at www.Tryon.com. The event will feature a dinner buffet and cash bar and music.
Sunday Brunch
Closing out The Fork festivities is Sunday brunch at Legends Club on April 8, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. A delicious buffet of traditional breakfast and lunch favorites will be available, along with a cash bar. Information can be found at www.Tryon.com or reservations can be made by calling (828) 863-1000.
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About the Tryon International Equestrian Center
Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort, host of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, is one of the world's premier equestrian lifestyle destinations. From carousel to competition, the mission of Tryon Resort is to celebrate the magic of the horse, grow equestrian sport, and increase access to this majestic animal. With first-class facilities for hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing competitions, the facility will soon accommodate all eight equestrian disciplines. Tryon Resort is a spring, summer, and fall haven for equestrian competitors and enthusiasts, and a year-round destination for connoisseurs of diverse cuisine and shopping, lodging getaways, and family entertainment. Learn more at www.tryon.com.
If you are wanting to get a good parking spot at the Kentucky Horse Park this morning, you better be on your way as early as possible! Cross-country day at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is easily the busiest day the Kentucky Horse Park sees each year, so it's time to grab your coffee and go ensure you get the viewing spot you want for both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions today.
Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.
Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.
Boyd Martin and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 were the last pair to go in the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L field on Friday afternoon and were warmly greeted to the bluegrass with an impressive downpour that outshined anything the other horse and rider pairs had to combat throughout the day. But that didn’t stop this pair from putting their best foot forward and impressing the judges enough to earn them a score of 26.0, just 0.2 points ahead of second-place pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality.