Time for the Block House Steeple Chase in Tryon

If you’ve never been, you need to go at least once to the Block House Steeplechase. Beautiful setting, great people-watching. Story here by the Hendersonville Times-News:

The Tryon Riding and Hunt Club’s 63rd Running of the Block House Steeplechase Races will be Saturday, April 18, at the Sandlin Race Course at FENCE in Tryon.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. sharp and races run rain or shine. There are five races with the first beginning at 2 p.m. Until then, there are a number of events going on for everyone to enjoy.

The “Hat Contest” sponsored by B93.7 will begin the festivities. Categories for children 12 and under include: Funniest and Most Appropriate and for the adults: Most Unusual, “Funniest and Most Appropriate.

The “Tailgate Contest” with categories of Most Elegant, Best ‘Country’, the Most Unusual, Most Elegant and the Judges’ Pick, will be sponsored by Hot Wings Café, JiffyLube, and WROQ, ROCK 101.

The total purse for this year’s races is $65,000. The first race, with a purse of $15,000, is the Carter P. Brown Memorial for maidens, 4 years old and upward. In the second race, the Cannon Harmon Memorial Race, the purse is $10,000 and is a maiden claiming. The third race will be run for $15,000. This year the feature race, the Carolina First Block House for $25,000, is an allowance hurdle.