Jim and Bernadette Cogdell of The Fork International CIC */**/*** and Horse Trials announced on May 3 the relocation of the event to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C., in 2017.
The Fork International has become one of the most prestigious eventing competitions on the North American calendar, and many riders use it as their final big run before the Rolex Kentucky CCI****. The Cogdells have made the decision to move locations in order to ensure that the popular event will continue at the same high level.
Jim Cogdell stated, “We have proudly hosted The Fork Horse Trials for 15 years, and it has grown into one of the premier horse trials in the United States. We are very proud of what we have created in North Carolina. It has taken a great deal of time, effort, passion and funding to create this event, and it is now time for the next chapter in this competition’s history. We believe that moving the location of this event to the TIEC will secure its future and elevate the level of competition while enhancing the fan experience.”
While not straying from its home state of North Carolina, The Fork will take advantage of the spectacular new facility at TIEC in order to maintain a top quality event with top-of-the-line footing, a spectator-friendly venue, a stadium to showcase dressage and jumping, and one of the most hotly anticipated cross-country courses in North America.
“We are proud to partner with Mark and Katherine Bellissimo and the team at the TIEC to produce this event,” Cogdell said. “We believe this partnership will help the event to thrive and provide a quality final outing leading up to ‘Rolex,’ which is so important to the success of our four-star competitors. We want the legacy to continue and keep the event moving forward with The Fork at TIEC.”
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Mark Bellissimo of Tryon Equestrian Partners stated, “The eventing community has seen the Cogdells’ vision and leadership create a very special competition at The Fork. It is one of the finest events in the country, and we look forward to hosting it at TIEC. We are also very pleased to announce that Jim will remain the Chairman of The Fork at TIEC.”
The change of venue/location has received provisional approval from the USEF Eventing Committee. As is standard policy, the move is contingent on a site inspection and cross-country course approval.
TIEC, already named to host to the 2016 American Eventing Championships, will offer a full range of competition for The Fork in 2017.
