Folks who love horses and the rolling foothills of Polk County have a fabulous destination in the newly opened Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Located at 4066 Pea Ridge Rd., just off US74 near Mill Spring, TIEC is only about a 90 minute drive from Gaston County and an even shorter distance from Cleveland and Rutherford counties- the perfect distance for a leisurely day trip.
Horseback heaven is a good way to describe TIEC- it had a "soft opening" in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility- but there are more attractions already open and more planned. The facility has completed Phase 1, which was to install the first five rings. Phase 2 is also up and running and consists of the international rings 6 & 7. Phase 3 will add grass rings with a cross-country course and all phases should be completed by the end of this year.
A grand opening with over 10,000 people in attendance took place June 6, 2015.
Future plans for lodging, fitness center, additional barns, on-site housing, and excess land across US Hwy 74 are moving forward rapidly. Plans are for two hotels on site, one of which Salamander Resorts will operate. Management is considering making the second hotel a more economical brand per the high volume of requests for this type of lodging facility.
Other lodging is also available and options include one of the 3-bedroom or 5-bedroom riverfront cabins or one of 44 one-bedroom cabins and RV spaces all custom built to meet the needs of guests visiting TIEC. Reservations go quickly, but off-site lodging is available in one of the many nearby towns like Lake Lure where the TIEC owners also own The Lodge on Lake Lure, a first-class, lakeside retreat.
There will also be a fitness center, with the intent of offering chiropractic, massage and esthetician services.
TIEC will be hosting a variety of disciplines and levels of equine competition including cross-country, breed shows, dressage and more. There will also be other events hosted throughout the year including festivals and concerts in conjunction with grand prix competitions.
Also, TIEC will be hosting other events such as Equestrian Lunch & Tours and youth programs in the future.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg of all TIEC has to offer guests and visitors.
Visitors - especially those with children - can attend a "Saturday Night Lights" Grand Prix where kids can enjoy free face painting, airbrush tattoos and rides on a hand painted Venetian carousel, plus other free family entertainment including live music, sky-high ballet performances by the Asheville Aerial Artists, eclectically clad stilt walkers, magicians, jugglers and more.
TIEC's "Festival of the Carolinas" event series are held in conjunction with the "Saturday Night Lights" events featuring themes like Carolina Craft Beer.
TIEC is about to open a sporting clays park that is located 5 minutes from the facility. A mountain bike trail that runs around the facility and the local creeks is set to be finished very soon. In addition an on-site sports complex that includes resort pools, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, climbing walls, fitness center, and sports bar are planned to be completed by year end. The Arnold Palmer golf course will open concurrent with the opening of the hotel in 2017.
There are plans to keep TIEC open year round and host non-equestrian events including various festivals and concerts in the off season. Equestrian competitions are held through October.
With all the fun and activities going on at TIEC, folks will be working up some powerful appetites and the facility is ready to handle them.
Onsite restaurants including Roger's Diner and The Legends Grille are open year round.
From casual American fare to "farm-to-fork" gourmet, Roger's Diner and Legends Grille cater to a variety of palettes.
Named for Tryon Resort partner Roger Smith, Roger's Diner is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a menu of classic and southern favorites like burgers, patty melts, grits, and milkshakes along with breakfast all day and gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian choices. The diner's shiny metallic exterior and green pinstripe boasts an authentic 50s vibe, and patrons can sit outside at covered patio tables or inside the "Happy Days" era restaurant at comfortable banquettes, booths or a traditional lunch counter. Beer and wine are also available.
Open to the public, Legends Grille provides a first-class dining experience without the hassle of a strict dress code. Offering lunch and dinner service, the Legends dishes are prepared using the freshest ingredients and, of course, casual elegance. Let your eyes dance down the menu of artful choices such as "Horseradish Encrusted Wild Salmon" sautéed and served with Orange-Vodka and dill broth; "Lobster Fettuccine" made with sautéed Main lobster, asparagus tips, sundried tomatoes, Genovese Basil in a Chardonnay cream; or "Buckhead Premium New York Strip" char-grilled with house rub and served with beer-battered Shitake mushrooms and Burgundy wine bordelaise sauce. Or choose lighter fare like "Tuna Tacos" that is already a crowd favorite and prepared with sashimi tuna, avocado and cilantro rice. Appetizers, soups, salads and delectable desserts are also available and lunch is just as pleasing to the taste buds.
While the Legends Grille is open to the public, the VIP Legends Club ringside dining is for members only. Memberships are open to the public. Complete with three-course, gourmet buffet and open bar, sitting tableside in the covered pavilion of the Legends Club provides the ultimate viewing experience for every grand prix competition. For membership pricing or to sign up, please contact 828-863-1000.
Also onsite during horse show weeks only are event vendors selling sushi, summer treats, fresh-roasted coffee, wood-fired pizza, lemonade, ice cream and a variety of carnival snacks. The Tryon Café, open during show weeks, is a great place to grab a sandwich to go or sit with friends and chat about the day's equestrian activity.
TIEC truly offers something thing for everyone. For more information on this exciting, entertaining, and educational attraction that's just a short drive away, www.tryon.com or call the main office at 828-863-1000.

By Alan Hodge
Special to Shelby Shopper