MAY 28, 2009 ISSUE
The Historic Hoofbeats of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show
American Saddlebred Week June 11 Through 14
The 86th Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show begins on Thursday, June 11, and ends on Sunday, June 14. The first portion of the show features American Saddlebred Week, while the second segment starts in July with the hunters and jumpers. Photo by Marie Freeman
The year was 1923 in Blowing Rock, when a horse race took place one fine day as a means to settle a bet. Riding in the steeplechase style, Lloyd Tate, a race initiator and some of his erstwhile pals, had come up with the concept while bending elbows together. As talk steered towards horses, the men began to discuss who had the fastest horse. To determine who did have the fleetest steed in the area, the friends decided to hold an age-old ritual—a horse race. The starting point was the Green Park Inn and the halfway point was in Blowing Rock proper, just more than one mile away. Though history will not divulge just who won the race that day, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, as we know it today, evolved from that one race 86 years ago.
The following year, in 1924, a committee was formed to develop the race into a horse show, an annual event that would appeal to a wide circle of people. The first show was held on Green Hill and maintained a vibrant social scene. The Boots and Saddles Ball was the premier soiree to attend on Saturday night after a day of horses, horses and more horses. The ball featured magnificent ice carvings and gastronomic delicacies. On Sunday morning, following a night of dancing and dining, competitors and spectators sat down to the Horse Show Breakfast. The weekend of the Blowing Rock Horse Show became a place to exhibit not only equines, but also clothing and dogs in an unofficial Hats and Hounds Show.
Canter on in to 2009 and the event is so big, it now has to be presented in two segments: the first portion is a Saddlebred show, replete with Friesians and Hackney ponies; the second portion, at the end of July and beginning of August, exists solely for the Hunters and Jumpers.
American Saddlebred Week
Beginning on Thursday, June 11, and running through Sunday, June 14, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation presents the American Saddlebred Week, held at the L.M. Tate Show Grounds in Blowing Rock. Classes start at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
Highlights each day include Opportunity Friesian Under Saddle Walk, Trot, Canter Exhibition and the Five-Gaited Open on Thursday; Opportunity Friesian Pleasure Driving Exhibition, UPHA Challenge Cup and the retirement ceremony for CH Harlem’s Babe Ruth on Friday. The two remaining days of the show are brimming with championship classes: Roadster Horse Under Saddle Championship, Open Park Pleasure Championship and Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Championship are held on Saturday; Fine Harness Championship, Hackney Pony Championship and Three-Gaited Open Park Championship complete the final day, Sunday, of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show and American Saddlebred Week.
Generous, free parking is available at the grounds, vendors operate concession stands daily and shops are set up with horse-themed items and clothing. Tickets cost $5 per person. Purchase tickets at the gate as you enter. A portion of the profits is donated to local charities and organizations such as the Blowing Rock Rescue Squad and Watauga Humane Society.
For more information, call 828-295-4700 or 828-295-9869.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday to Sunday, June 11 to 14
Time: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday; 9:00 a.m. Saturday
Location: L.M. Tate Show Grounds
Cost: $5
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