BOONE—The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation and the Appalachian State University Equestrian Team will host a Hunt Seat Schooling Show at the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve on Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise awareness for Horse Helpers of the High Country.

Horse Helpers is a non-profit horse rescue and rehabilitation facility in Boone. Support for Horse Helpers is a key focus for the Equestrian Team each year. Team members volunteer at the Horse Helpers barn to feed horses, clean stalls and perform other horse care duties. The schooling show is an outgrowth of the team’s continuing support for the organization. A portion of the show’s profits will provide much-needed additional funding for Horse Helpers. Admission for spectators is free, but donations to Horse Helpers are welcome.

This project will also give back to the local High Country equestrian community by offering a competitive environment for local riders who might not be able to compete in the nationally recognized Blowing Rock Charity Horse Shows. The class schedule provides an excellent competitive opportunity for equestrians who have horses that need a little tune-up or beginning riders who would like to gain some competitive experience.

This is the team’s first effort to host a schooling show. Traditionally the team has hosted two Intercollegiate Dressage Association shows each year. Those shows are held at the Foothills Equestrian Center in Taylorsville. This new challenge will allow team members to expand their educational experience, provide a recreational opportunity for the local community and connect with horse lovers.

Burr Collier, chairman of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation, said “We are delighted that the team has chosen the preserve as the site for their first show and delighted to join with them in hosting the schooling show. We are proud of our connection to ASU, the Equestrian Team and these young riders. We hope this will become an annual rite-of-spring for all those who enjoy riding the Blue Ridge.”

The show will offer classes in under saddle, jumping, equitation and working hunter. There also will be a fun class in which all of the entry fees will be donated to Horse Helpers of the High Country. Twenty-five miles of Moses Cone Park carriage roads are available nearby when riders are not competing. Stalls are available for overnight stay at the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve. To reserve a stall, call the Preserve Office at 828-295-4700 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Preserve Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Haley McCune, show manager, at [email protected] or visit http://appalachianequestria.wix.com/asuequestrian#!blowing-rock-horse-show/m9dvy.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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