Not complaining, just observing. I feel a little like it’s a case of the Emporer’s New Clothes. (no golf cart parking, no security, very tiny schooling areas, etc)
It’s all good, I hope the footing gets better with time and use. We will certainly show there but will never be in a position to have to worry about being on that footing for weeks on end anyway, as that is not how we do it. Best of luck to those who do!
And fwiw, I have known Harold for 30 years, you dont need to explain to me who he is.
I hope the footing isn’t too bad. I’m hoping my barn will add Tryon to the list of shows, it seems pretty beautiful.
[QUOTE=mroades;7816238]
It has no give…you wouldn’t believe how bad it is trashing coffin joints. A horses foot is designed to hit the dirt, and then keep going just a little bit. In this footing, the toe just stops, and that concussion has to go somewhere.[/QUOTE]
The felt/sand surface is nice when freshly worked, but will pack fast because it has to be kept wet, not just damp, to not separate.
I talk lot with Premier Footing, and they have been adding tire crumb or Nike rubber to GGT/Silica Sand for years now, and it stays between the layers and helps the “give” problem greatly. This also is my own experience with the footing I specify. So why has this show mgmt. not tried this yet? The wear on a horse’s whole front end from the felt/fiber//silica sand is well known, but seems to be out weighed by the significant benefits to show management of weather proof (mostly) footing for events.
I will refrain from giving my opinion on that question Plumcreek…
That’s interesting about the footing- is it the same stuff they have at WEF? The reason I ask is bc I have a friend who’s horse has “jewelry” on the front but is sound, and was weirdly off at WEF but not anywhere else she’s shown. Could be a total fluke, but just curious.
I definitely want to go there at least once. It looks beautiful!
Thats unfortunate and should have been foreseen. Like them or not, golf carts are part of the horse show experience and are quite handy for all the back and forth for barn staff. Security should be considered a must and nobody likes small schooling areas-particularly at new facilities sitting on sufficient acreage.
Perhaps they will be open to suggestions for improvement? Nothing wrong with admitting this could be better and working on it.
The “small” schooling area is relative. They are way bigger than the ones at Blowing Rock or wihs, for instance. And you can always ride and school in one of the other HUGE, gorgeous riding areas on the showgrounds instead of the designated schooling area.
The schooling areas are right by each ring, so ideally should only have a few horses schooling to show, But people stand in the schooling ring with their horses waiting to jog, etc. so it gets alittle crowded. But there is a covered area right by the schooling ring to use for that.
Plenty of other place to ride, school, practice rings lunge,etc.
Also, it took me a while to realize it, but the fence between the schooling ring and show ring is movable, so they can always adjust one way or another between shows if something just isn’t working quite right.
[QUOTE=mroades;7816238]
It has no give…you wouldn’t believe how bad it is trashing coffin joints. A horses foot is designed to hit the dirt, and then keep going just a little bit. In this footing, the toe just stops, and that concussion has to go somewhere.[/QUOTE]
I know nothing about this facility - but personally, I rather firm over deep any day.
But I come from the land of hard, dry footing - our trail and endurance horses work on hard ground 9 months out of the year, and I do not see rash of coffin joint issues…
Interesting how some people have opinions on this venue without having been there themselves to experience first hand. I was there last week (spectating, not showing). The rings are large, schooling arenas seemed plentiful and adequately sized and the footing looked great. Granted, I wasn’t riding.
It looks very much like a mini WEF for those who have been there. My only complaint is that the only food vendor was affiliated with the show and prices were high, selection low and lines were long.
I was there last week as well, and I stand by my opinion.
[QUOTE=mroades;7820189]
I was there last week as well, and I stand by my opinion.[/QUOTE]
As I asked earlier, I would really like to understand your opinion better, specifically from your post: "… IN MY OPINION, it is built for people not horses, and I pretty much hated it. "
I asked if you could elaborate on what the downside for horses is at TIEC in terms of the way it’s built (i.e., “not built for horses”). Another poster gave a general response (appreciated!) but s/he hadn’t actually been to TIEC. So I’d really like to understand what you were seeing and thinking since your comment was site-specific. Could you do that when you get a chance? Thanks!
We were there showing a few weeks ago and I was very impressed…
The show facility as it stands right now covers a surprisingly small footprint. I didn’t expect that, but I feel like they’ve really thought through the traffic flow between the barn and rings and eliminated the need for golf carts. So for those that are complaining about the lack of golf cart parking, where exactly are you going to drive your cart? Perhaps between camper land and the stabling, but that’s it. (And camperland looks divine, by the way). Golf carts are also really handy for seating at the shows, but Tryon has taken care of that as well. The spectator seating between all the rings is fantastic, with a raised view, some covered, some open air.
The facility is flat and I liked the footing, so I didn’t feel tired at the end of the day. We were only there one week, but I didn’t have any complaints about the footing from my time there.
I thought the stabling was amazing- beautiful, comfortable barns. You can hear the announcements and music and you can get to any of the rings in minutes from your stalls. There were very nice schooling areas. The show ring warmups were fine and there was a separate schooling ring for each show ring which is a huge advantage. There was a large extra ring if you wanted more space. The site plan has lovely trials to come.
I thought that the food was really good. There was a nice variety and the food area is inside, which was really nice.
My only negative is that there are no mid-range or inexpensive hotels close by. I’d like to see a Hampton Inn or something close by.
My first thought was that the place is like Disney World. They’ve thought of everything and spared no expense. I can’t wait to go back.
I see a vacation scope-it-out trip to the Tryon area in my future.
I definitely think you should go and form your own opinions. I KNOW I will be in the minority (but I don’t like Disneyworld either lol).
We were stabled in a tent and it was quite a hike to the hunter rings from there.
The lack of security was disturbing, and a braider told me that a pony was loose for quite some time with no night watch.
The rings were plenty big, but to me not welcoming since they all had so much concrete around them.
The footing is indeed the same as WEF, and I don’t like that either (it was great years ago)
And again, personal preference, but I HATED having the music on every corner 24/7.
I am sure most people will love it.
I haven’t been to Tryon yet, but if the footing is the same stuff that they have at the Kentucky Horse Park I am not a fan. It was great when it monsooned but I think the weather proof part is the only thing it has going for it. It’s expensive. Requires a special drag. And my horse felt sore after going on it (we do Adult jumpers). Also have seen multiple hunters (one from my barn and then two just watching warm up) stub their front toes and fall down completely or to their knees. It has no give.
exactly the experience I have had Woodshill…it is only good in monsoon weather.
I think that as with any location in an inaugural year, as time progresses there will be changes made to make it better. I find it hard to believe no one thought of golf cart parking or other horse show necessities, but giving them the benefit of the doubt - maybe by next year they’ll make that improvement.
I haven’t been up there, probably won’t get up there this year…but I am actually seriously considering buying a property up in that area to throw into the rental pool for “season.” I have a feeling prices will soon skyrocket, so I may try to get in now while they’re still reasonable.
Maybe.
Ok, People, have you heard the latest? Atlanta trainer are up in arms, as Tryon has bought many of the Atlanta area shows, so there will be fewer shows close to home…
