Photograph by Erik Olsen
The 64th Annual Block House Steeplechase on April 17
The Steeplechase is the First Peak’s biggest and most exciting equestrian event of the year. Join the crowds that come for the thundering of hooves as they navigate a challenging course over several races.
We invite you to take in the sights, sounds and heart pounding excitement of the 64th running of the Block House Steeplechase on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Make plans now to spend a day at the races, then enjoy a great weekend here in the mountains. Our wonderful inns/B&Bs and vacation rentals are eager to welcome you and offer specials for the weekend!
The Races are sanctioned with the National Steeplechase Association in Elkton, Maryland. The prize for four sanctioned races exceeds $65,000. The fifth race is an amateur race for local riders on the flat. The attendance now approximates 18-22 thousand and reservations are received from all over the southeast. The first race starts at 2pm. The races run every 30 minutes thereafter.
In addition to the races, there’s a lot to see as contestants for best tailgate show off their best country, most unusual and most elegant displays. The hats always turn heads with contestants vying for the funniest (adults) and the most unusual and most appropriate for adults and kids.
Bring family, meet friends and discover the thrill of the chase. Tickets are sold by the carload for on-course parking by advance purchase only. The only tickets sold the day-of are for nearby field parking – bring a blanket or chairs and walk to the event. Parking is first come, first serve.
New packages are being added daily for special deals on Steeple Chase Weekend. Check out all the great things to see and do once the races are over.
For more information call 828-859-6109 or 1-800-438-3681 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday or visit us online at Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. The Blockhouse Steeplechase Race is sponsored by Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TRHC), which is a non-profit (501c3) organization that was founded in 1925 for the purpose of supporting and preserving the equestrian tradition in Polk County and Upstate South Carolina.
Steeplechasing's History
Church steeples were the most prominent, and tallest, landmarks on the landscape at the time of the first recorded steeplechase in 1752 in County Cork, Ireland. Two riders raced 4.5 miles from a church in one town to another. The sport took its name from this simple "chase to the steeple."
American steeplechasing was organized when the National Steeplechase Association was chartered in 1895 to keep records; govern, promote and hold races; advance steeplechasing throughout the United States; and license individuals and race meetings.
Steeplechasing occurs in 12 states, offers over $4.8 million in total purses, is seen by millions of people, includes the best horses and horsemen thoroughbred racing has to offer and each year raises millions of dollars for charity.
Major track racing now includes stops at such storied hosts as Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Pimlico and Saratoga.
The association today, based in Fair Hill, Md., includes 1,000 dues paying members and licensees, a 15-member Board of Directors and a six person staff. Racing occurs March through December and attracted an estimated one million fans last year.
In celebration of its centennial in 1995, steeplechasing refocused its attention on the future by forming the National Steeplechase Foundation. The foundation funds a program for amateur and apprentice jockeys each year, helped secure state of the art photo finish cameras for the sport, created a steeplechase promotional videotape and has helped put the sport on national television.
Steeplechase Q & A
What are the events that happen during the morning before the races begin and what time is each event? The gates open at 10 a.m. for admission to the grounds. Pre-race activities start at 11 a.m. with the beginning of the judging for the Tailgate Competition. The Hat Contest starts around 11:30 in front of the judge’s tower. Between 12:00 and 1:00 watch the “Parade of the Hounds”, the Carolina Carriage Club, and exhibition by the Tuckaway Farm Paso Fino Training Center. Be sure to open your ticket packet upon receipt as times and activities may change slightly.
What vendors are at the track and what do they sell? Can you get food and beverages at the track? Is alcohol sold at the event? What about souvenirs? Excellent barbeque is available from a vendor at the track. Lindsey’s BBQ is located at the base of the tower by the sponsor’s area on the infield. No alcohol is sold at the event, but you may bring your own just make sure to have a Designated Driver. Official Block House T-shirts and hats may be found at the base of the tower by the sponsor’s area. Consult program for map of course.
How do I get a parking spot? Starting February 15, non-members of the TR&HC can call 800-438-3681 or fill out the form found online and mail into 289 S. Trade Street, Tryon NC 28782. About 3 weeks before the event, tickets may be purchased at the following outlet locations: Asheville, NC – Jos. A. Bank Clothier 828-274-2630; Greenville, SC – Blockhouse Restaurant & Oyster Bar 864-232-4280; Hendersonville, NC – Boyd Pontiac Cadillac Buick 828-693-3461; or Spartanburg, SC – Wakefield Buick GMC 800-605-2340.
How does it work? When you buy a “ticket”, you are actually purchasing an assigned parking place for your car. Every person in the vehicle is included at that price.
If I don’t have a pre-purchased parking space, can I buy one the day of the race? The only parking available on race day is in an off course, non-viewing area called “Reserved Pasture Parking (RPP)”. It is a general admission lot with a first come, first serve basis. Spaces sell for $60.
Parking Area Descriptions
General info: All spaces, except RPP ($50 Reserved Pasture Parking), are sold in advance of the event. They are assigned and numbered spaces. You are able to tailgate at your vehicle and view the races from that space.
$175 – Hillside Parking: Premier parking area on the outside of the track. You can see the majority of the racetrack and the finish line. Is in the grass.
$175 – Backstretch Parking: On the outside of the track as well. View includes the vast majority of the racetrack except finish line. Is in the grass.
$135 – Backstretch II Parking: Grassy area parking on the outside of the track. Views include approximately 60% of track and a jump directly in front of this parking.
$135 – Covered Arena (Rows M, N, O): Parking under a large, open sided, sand & dirt, riding arena. Sheltered from both rain and hot, sunny days. Views from this infield area are a little more limited due to barns and trees in the vicinity.
$125 – Infield Parking: Majority of these parking spaces inside the track is in a grassy area. Some are right on the track rails. Views are good of most of the course with the exception of the finish line, which is blocked by a judge’s tower.
$100 – Infield Parking (Rows A, B, C, F, G, & H): This inside the track parking area is in sand and dirt riding rings. The views are good with some spaces being near the track rails.
$50 – Reserved Pasture Parking: This is a general admission lot. First come, first serve on parking. You cannot view the race from RPP. Park here, get your hand stamped as you leave this area, and walk to the main gate (about 300 yards gate to gate). This is an open pasture, so keep in mind, the later you get there the longer the walk to the main gate while carrying your coolers and chairs (there is no grandstand seating). There are open spaces on the course to set up your picnic as long as it doesn’t interfere with an assigned parking space. This is the only parking sold on race day and it will be $60 on steeplechase day.
